Laser 2000 Open at Weir Wood Sailing Club

Badged a 'Special', with a 'Turbo' format on the Sunday, the 26 Laser 2000s participating at Weir Wood all reported a fantastic weekend with very positive feedback throughout.

On Saturday current National Champions, Rob and Ant Greenfield led a well thought through training day, coaching on the water, ashore clinics and race practice. Perfect conditions at Weir Wood, wind blowing straight down the lake, sunshine and professional coaching gave a 'champagne training' day.

Now for the interesting bit, the new 'Turbo' format. Something Weir Wood had already practised with its home fleet of Lasers and has now adapted to Windward Leeward assymetric racing:

Multiple 5 to 10 minute one lap windward /leeward races (12 races achieved at this event in two sessions), no discards, allowed to hit any mark (including the pin!), RRS start sequence compressed to 3-2-1-go for quick turn around, two 'gate' format, start line between windward mark and leeward marks ('gate 1'), two leeward turning marks ('gate 2'), one windward mark (moved up and down to achieve the 5-10 minute race length) and strict application of 'I' flag and 'X' flag.

With a light 5 to 7 knot wind blowing across the lake, this transformed what would have been a frustrating slow day to quick turnaround, tight and fast heart beat racing. The newcomers to racing, all enjoyed tight competition, and a chance to move on from big errors and start again, learning throughout. For experienced racers, the 'no discard format' and busy racing gave frantic fleet decisions throughout, and practice for the essential first 5 minutes of any big regatta race. Rob Burridge, national chamption won eventually, but even he had a few shaky moments, not sure if he was over the line (flag X up and flying), re-rouding the ends, then fighting through the fleet for every place (no discards!). Just like in any big regatta, consistency, calm sailing, and avoiding trouble generally paid. One cricket score, and no glassware!

Tim and Linda Hulley hit the pin in two races, each time re-rounded, crossed behind the entire the fleet on port (in last position), 'banged' a 'one tack' right, found the clearest air, and arrived fourth at the windward mark - and that with a first leg length of only 200 metres between the start gate and the windward mark. With such a compressed format, its all about picking the best way through the fleet's wind shadow, whilst not missing the big shifts. 'Best weekends sailing ever', was even reported from one visiting boat', and everyone was very positive.

We want more! - think about it for your club, the load is not great on the race committee, as they don't need to worry about lap counting, and they would have to record the first busy lap in any case in the usual format of longer races.

Overall Results:

1st 2458 'Compass Rose', Rob Burridge and Ant Greenfield
2nd 2854 'Jumpin' Jack Splash', Tim and Linda Hulley
3rd 21555 'Amygo', Amy Hulley and Sophie Payne (youth boat)