Laser 2 Open at Lancing Sailing Club
by Mike Croker 23 Jul 2007 12:00 BST
21-22 July 2007
A frisky SW4-5 and big waves greeted competitors for this year's Laser 2 Open Meeting at Lancing (part of Lancing SC’s Summer Regatta).
Six boats started on Saturday, with current World Champions, Nigel Skudder and Keith Hills, showing how it’s done, followed at a distance by Lancing’s Roger Jamieson and Kate Fitzsimmons.
The wind increased to 5+ for the second race, along with the wave height: no problem for Skudder & Hills, but very challenging for the rest of the fleet, with only Mike and Di Croker staying ‘sunny side up’ to finish 2nd ahead of Datchet’s Mike Clapp and Mark Bond.
Sunday's SW3-4 in bright sunshine provided some excellent close sailing through the fleet. The Croker’s boatspeed and local knowledge got them ahead of Skudder and Hills on several occasions, but the latter’s superior boat handling proved the deciding factor. At the other end of the fleet, Pevensey Bay’s Gary and Jackie Clinch just squeaked ahead of Lancing’s Colin Norris and Ali Smith by dint of a better last race result.
All in all, a good prelude to this year’s National’s just down the coast at Felpham (24 – 26 August) – be there!
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 10588 | Nigel Skudder | Keith Hills | Starcross YC | 3 |
| 2nd | 5749 | Mike Croker | Di Croker | Lancing SC | 6 |
| 3rd | 10330 | Roger Jamieson | Kate Fitzsimmons | Lancing SC | 8 |
| 4th | 10626 | Mike Clapp | Mark Bond | Datchet Water SC | 9 |
| 5th | 9179 | Gary Kinch | Jackie Kinch | Pevensey Bay SC | 16 |