Laser Open 2006

11th June 2006 dawned over Great Moor warm and sunny, with a light south westerly. The buzz of the helicopters ferrying the great and the good into Silverstone for the British Grand Prix drowned out attempts by the abundant local wildlife to make itself heard.

By 10:00, the car park was soon filling with the 23 competitors, including the 8 visitors, who were going to sail the 2006 Great Moor Laser Open.

The Race Officer, Alan Rand, had set a simple figure of eight course with 2 beats using the full length of the lake. The format was to be 4 races, 2 before lunch and 2 after, 3 to count. The two Rescue boats, piloted by Colin Urch and Adam Light were on standby.

Right on cue, just after the briefing, the Red Arrows did their low level flypast.

The first race got underway with both Radials in the field getting good starts. By the time the leeward mark was reached Great Moor’s Marc Savitsky was in the lead, Richard Patrick, also of Great Moor and James Cully of Norfolk Broads close behind. The rest of the fleet was already strung out behind. At the close of the 2nd lap the top 3 had shuffled, with Richard Patrick coming out on top. However by the end of the 3rd lap a further change resulted in the top 3 being:

1. James Cully
2. Marc Savitsky
3. Richard Patrick

Race 2 started cleanly despite 2 hopefuls starting on Port. At last the wind started to fill in. At the leeward mark Richard Patrick was in front being chased by a group consisting of Matt Stearn of Waldringfield, Duncan Jenkins of Aldenham and James Cully. By the close Richard Patrick had pulled out a convincing lead over the chasing pack.

1. Richard Patrick
2. Duncan Jenkins
3. Matt Stearn

After lunch Race 3 got underway. Matt Stearn took a convincing lead. The chasing pack consisted of Marc Savitsky, Richard Patrick, Duncan Jenkins, Matt Stearn and Dan Leslie.

During the second lap the pack caught Matt Stern and at the Gybe mark Richard Patrick took the lead.

1. Richard Patrick
2. James Cully
3. Matt Stearn

The final race had a split start, resulting in some turns needing to be taken at the Port end of the line Richard Patrick pulled out an early lead, followed by Cargreen’s Sarah Butcher, sailing a radial, James Cully and Matt Stern. Again by the time the finish was reached the fleet was stretched out in “line astern” Richard Patrick won again.

1. Richard Patrick
2. James Cully
3. Matt Stearn

The Trophies were awarded as follows:

1. Richard Patrick
2. James Cully
3. Matt Stearn

1st Lady Sarah Butcher
1st Youth Duncan Jenkins

Results

Helm Number Youth/lady/Rad Sailing Club Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Race 4 Points Positions Trophy
Richard Patrick 168575   GMSC 3 1 1 1 3 1 1st
James Cully 181910   Norfolk Broads 1 4 2 2 5 2 2nd
Matt Stearn 179610   Walderingfield 9 3 3 3 9 3 3rd
Duncan Jenkins 141467 youth Aldenham 4 2 4 4 10 4 1st Youth
Marc Savitsky 133426   GMSC 2 10 5 6 13 5  
Andrew Clark 85062   GMSC 10 5 8 10 23 6  
Dan Collette 165205 youth BLYM 12 8 7 11 26 7  
Luke Steaggles 173289 youth Emberton 8 7 11 12 26 8  
Sarah Butcher 165223 Lady/Rad Cargreen 7 16 15 5 27 9 1st Lady
Dan Lesley 170207 youth GMSC 5 6 16 Rtd 27 10  
Chris Johnson 43416   GMSC 11 9 14 8 28 11  
Stephen Lee 163050   GMSC 15 11 10 7 28 12  
Alex Leslie 144380   GMSC 14 16 6 Rtd 36 13  
Ken Douglas 166495   GMSC 16 13 13 13 39 14  
Tim Shepherd 169998   GMSC 17 12 12 15 39 15  
Ben Pistol 186028   Aldenham 6 Rtd Rtd 9 39 16  
Don Valvona 177833   GMSC 13 14 18 14 41 17  
Dylan Winter 143608   GMSC 18 20 9 DNS 47 18  
Alison Clarke 178471 Lady GMSC 19 18 20 16 53 19  
Alex Painter 160564 youth GMSC 20 21 17 17 53 20  
Gail Lightfoot 77840 Lady GMSC 23 19 21 19 59 21  
John Hanby 181451 youth/Rad Grafham 22 17 19 18 54 22  
Scott Carter 173511   GMSC 21 22 DNS DNS 68 23  

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