Laser Stratos Nationals at Dabchicks Sailing Club
by Michael Beggs 18 Jun 2007 11:42 BST
16-17 June 2007
Dabchicks Sailing Club at West Mersea proved a very popular venue for the 2007 Stratos Nationals, getting twice as many entries as the inland venue of 2006. Triangular courses set well offshore in the Blackwater Estuary gave five good races, under the faultless management of Race Officer Peter Fitt.
In the first race Terry, John Crook & son were first to the windward mark but sailed to the wrong leeward mark, letting Mike Beggs and Peter Barker through to the win.
The second race, on a day forecast to be light winds, saw rain showers bringing down 25 knot squalls, with inventive ways of capsizing in which Michael Dye and crew Jane showed great creativity.
In the third race, with building ebb tide, rounding the windward mark became entertaining, with first Beggs catching Crook on port so they both floated off on the tide letting Jason Wild and crew Vicky MacLaughlin into the lead.
On Sunday the weather improved giving excellent racing, both races won by Terry Crook but too late to prevent Beggs winning overall.
Overall Results:
1st 161, Mike Beggs & Peter Barker (Lymington Town Sailing Club) 5pts
2nd 296, Terry Crook, John Cook and son (Blackwater Sailing Club) 6pts
3rd 840, Jason Wild & Vicki MacLaughlin (Whitstable Yacht Club) 11pts
4th 302, Brian George & Ian Vince (Dabchicks Sailing Club) 14pts
5th 504, Michael Dye and Jane (Fishers Green Sailing Club) 21pts
6th 789, Peter & Sandy Carter & family (Whitstable Yacht Club) 22pts
7th 577, Gareth Hughes & Mark Treadwell (Burghfield Sailing Club) 25pts
8th 270, Neil, Ben & George Luckett (Felixstowe Ferry) 27pts