Laser2000 Millennium Series at Snettisham Beach Sailing Club

Light winds for the Laser 2000 Millennium Series event at Snettisham Beach © Stuart Aylmer / www.northnorthwest.co.uk

Light winds for the Laser 2000 Millennium Series event at Snettisham Beach © Stuart Aylmer / www.northnorthwest.co.uk

Champagne sailing was the order of the day for the first Laser 2000 Millenium Series round held at Snettisham Beach Sailing Club on the beautiful Norfolk Riviera, with winds running at force 3 from the North and clear blue skies on day one.

10 Snettisham crews making up nearly half of the fleet of 23 took full advantage of their local knowledge by winning all three races on the first day, although some of the more experienced crews used their discards early by being OCS. Young protégée Fergus Barnham and crew Johnny Ison where overnight leaders having scored very consistently in all three races. Manchester hot-shots Iain and & Sarah Yardley adapted well to the short chop and took full advantage of the down wind surfing opportunities to finish the first day in second position.

To his great surprise the SBSC fleet captain, Guy Tasker and crew Rosie T. were lying third after the first day, having picked up their maiden first, but in the certain knowledge that day 2 would spoil the party as the top fleet sailors came back into contention with their OCS discards. The most noticeable incident of day one was the order to “abandon ship” from John Wilkin of Bagsy, whose crew, Tony Lloyd firmly disobeyed, took the helm and promptly sailed back to pick up the skipper without the slightest loss of control. When was the last time you saw that?

An evening of horse racing was won appropriately by Team Brahms & Liszt, who bet their entire monopoly money stake on horse 3 in the sixth race to win by a country mile and collect the champagne and chocolates, a feat all the more amazing as they did not manage to view any of the races as they were too busy singing light operetta on the balcony!

Day 2 heralded in more excellent weather with clear blue skies and temperatures rocketing to 28˚. The early wind virtually disappeared as the tide came in and the poor O.O.D, Bob Fletcher, former European Dart Champion, was left in the difficult decision of whether to race or not. With so many stalwarts having travelled the length and breadth of England to sail, the decision was taken to give it a go.

The first windward leg was a very slow procession led by talented Grafham Team BuzzB of Andy and Mark Baldwin. Having rounded the first mark the wind all but disappeared and the front runners were left to drift slowly south away from the finish line. Meanwhile the mid fleet picked up a wind shift as they rounded the first mark and crept slowly to the shortened finish overtaking the hapless leaders as they desperately tried to beat back to windward with a wind that had shifted 90 degrees.

Chris and Tom Hall from SBSC were the first to spot the shift and lead the fleet home, just overtaking Guy & Rosie Tasker on the last leg with a superior light wind performance. Bob Fletcher had one last effort to sail a final fifth race before abandoning it for the day.

In the final analysis Jasper (another former European Dart champion!)and Laura Barnham(SBSC) came out on top with son and budding superstar Fergus ably crewed by Jonny Ison(SBSC) pushing them all the way but having to settle for second. Miraculously, Team Tasker(SBSC) in Wake Watcher managed to hold onto their overnight position to take third spot ahead of the Leigh & Lowton SC crew of Iain and Sarah Yardley, loosing out in the second day lottery. Final top 5 spot was taken by newly created SBSC crew of Robbie (racing snake) Bell and Gene Gage, out for only their third time. Beginners luck or rising stars?

The real heroes as usual at these events, were those who travelled for hours from all corners of the country to help make the Laser 2000 racing circuit such fun.

Our thanks go to SBSC for arranging a great event and extending some excellent hospitality. Also thanks to our series sponsors Laser Performance and to Noble Marine for supporting youth entries and training.

Overall Results: