RC Laser Championship of Nations - Overall

Dave Fowler wins the RC Laser Championship of Nations © Caroline Bedford

Top team at the RC Laser Championship of Nations © Caroline Bedford

The final day was upon us, the wind was a light 6 - 8mph meaning the 'A' rig was the sail choice being used, with the course set (Quite a long one) and the racing commenced.

There were the guys with calculators trying to work out what Marc Albiges FRA 305 needed to do close the gap. Dave Fowler GBR 840 on the other hand, just needed to play the keep out of the way game, which for some reason went out of the window in the first 2 races, seeing him once again at the front of the fleet and gaining 2 bullets, with Albiges only getting a 3rd and 4th, the 2nds went to Skip Reaser USA 39 and Taco Fabern NED 01.

Now was the time for Fowler to play the keep out of the protest room game, with him taking two 4ths and 2 seconds in the remaining races. Reaser who had found the correct pedal at last got the bullet he so desperately wanted; skilfully holding Albiges and Neil Coleman GBR 102 at bay for the full race all 3 crossed the line in 5 seconds.

In the 4th race, a brilliant start helped Julien Drouillot FRA 08 lead from start to finish keeping Rod Popham AUS 42, and Coleman behind him.

The last 2 races were won by Fabern with Fowler in 2nd piping Rod Wallenberg NED 36 in the last race on the finishing line by 20mm.

Now it was all over, with people packing away and talking about the event, at the international meeting we had earlier in the week it was thought a week might be two long, but in the end we had a week of great competitive, yet sportsmanlike racing. A total of 30 races had been completed, that's 60 flights (2 flights per race).

The final deed of the day was the Prize giving dinner, a great 5 course meal, provided by the catering staff of West Lancs Yacht Club. With the organisers, RO and his team, and the catering staff thanked, and presented with gifts, the prizegiving commenced.

All the Helms were given a trophy with their names on for competing in the first Championship of Nations, along with a 'B' sail (provided by Peterkin, the main importer of the RC Laser) which were signed by all of the helms and PRO, one was presented to the club as a thank you for running the event. The prizes were handed out by WLYC Commodore, Ian Donaldson.

Overall Results:

The Persistence trophy, given to the person who started all races but was in last place, went to Phillipe Croute (FRA).

Best Improver, where their results showed overall improvement at the end of the week, was Skip Reaser (USA).

Winning Team (team leaders were picked from the top 2 of the seeding races and the rest picked at random) was Taco Fabern, Neil Coleman, Rob Wallenberg and Nick Hodshon. They won by 1 point, and only 6 points separated all the teams.

The event finished with the RC Laser Family growing with international friendships, and looking forward to the next Championship of Nations in 2 years' time.