RC Lasers at Snettisham Beach Sailing Club
by Kevin Appleton (Laser #95) 21 Jun 2004 10:51 BST
20 June 2004
Close quarters around the mark at the Snettisham Beach RC Laser open © Kevin Appleton
After an early, 7-30 am, start to race Darts on the North Sea several helmsmen, including a former UK national champion and third placed European sailor, and their crews joined visitors from around East Anglia to race Radio control Lasers as Snettisham Beach Sailing Club hosted an open event for the UK radio control Laser Association – the first of its kind to be held in Norfolk.
Faced with gusting winds boats were rigged with their number three, storm rigs, and close racing took place on the clubs inland lake. After lunch the wind had dropped enough to allow some sailors to use a larger sail although some subsequently broached as gusts hit the fleet.
For many this was their first experience of fleet racing this competitive one design boat - which is a quarter scale model of the classic Laser.
Close competitive racing took place throughout the day with the overall winner being Simon Tompsett From Essex, runner up was Nick Lee from Cambridgeshire and third place Mark Fletcher from the home club.