Laser Open 2000

The Laser Home Counties and Eastern Region Travellers moved on to Great Moor Sailing Club near Buckingham for an Open Meeting on Sunday 2nd July. Seven visitors from Northampton, Stone, Datchet, Aldenham and Aylesbury joined with the locals to enjoy some close racing in the warm southerly force 1-2 winds. As last year there were to be 4 races, with 2 held back-to-back in the morning and 2 back-to-back after lunch.

Race Officer Martin Beddows and his team showed slick race management to set courses to test all points of sailing in the shifting breeze, and to keep the meeting to schedule - most important with many keen to get back to watch the football in the evening.

Twenty-one competitors lined up for the first race. Over zealous starting by some allowed John Howell (Great Moor) to take an early lead. His advantage was gradually worn-down by Richard Patrick (Great Moor), who held on until the finish, followed by Howell, Phil Shepperd (Datchet) and Mark Barnes (Stone).

The wind settled for the second race. Patrick made a super start to lead the fleet at the first buoy closely followed by Ken Lee (Great Moor). Whilst Patrick built a large gap and was never challenged, Lee was engulfed by the chasing bunch on the downwind legs, and eventually overtaken by Shepperd, Howell, and Marc Savitsky (Great Moor).

The best winds of the day were saved for the first afternoon race. After a general recall, this time Savitsky got away to lead around the first lap. He was caught and passed by Patrick and Howell. These two opened up a sufficient gap to allow Howell the luxury of a capsize and still to keep his place.

The fleet got away cleanly for the last race in the dying breeze. Patrick again showed a clean pair of heels to the rest and led for the whole race. Competition for places behind was keen, but at the finish it was again Patrick and Shepperd, with Barnes coming through to take third from Alan Price (Great Moor). This completed Richard Patrick's clean sweep and first home Laser Open meeting win.

Final Results

1st 168757 Richard Patrick Great Moor 3pts
2nd 161786 Phil Shepperd Datchet 7pts
3rd 160484 John Howell Great Moor 7pts
4th 163050 Marc Savitsky Great Moor 12pts
5th 169972 Mark Barnes Stone 13pts
6th 169014 David Lambert Aldenham 18pts

Lady 140871 Kerry Tucker Northampton
Youth 160463 Alec Savitsky Great Moor