Laser 2000 class 2010 round-up
by Elizabeth Fillmore 27 Nov 2010 09:20 GMT
Light winds for the Laser 2000 Millennium Series event at Snettisham Beach © Stuart Aylmer /
www.northnorthwest.co.uk
It has been another great year for the Laser 2000 Class which concluded with the completion of the Millennium Series, the main traveler series covering events across the UK. This year events were held throughout the season at four sea and four inland venues providing a good variety of conditions for the 107 entrants with an average of 29 boats per event. At the half way stage Rob and Kate Burridge were in a strong position but needed to do more if they were to retain the title. The fifth event at Broadstairs provided close competition with first place, decided on count back, going to local sailors Dave Adams and Tom Goodey with the Burridges settling for second followed by Graham Sexton and Kristina Harbourne.
Next stop was at Pevensey Bay, a new venue for the class, which presented widely different conditions over the two days. Andy and Mark Baldwin secured a win in Saturday’s only race before the light breeze died away. Tim and Linda Hulley scored the first bullet and James and Jenny Macgregor the second in Sunday’s breezy conditions before the fleet was sent back to shore in increasing winds. This gave the Hulleys first overall, the Macgregors second and the Baldwins third in this shortened event.
The penultimate event at Bala was combined with the Inlands and produced the highest turnout of the series with 37 on the startline for three races on the Saturday held in a solid but shifty breeze. New faces were seen at the front of the fleet with Mike Hart and Sally Kilpatrick leading overnight from Bill and Charlotte Dawber, then Wil and Wendy Hitchman. Heavy rain and no wind on Sunday meant no more racing and no change to the overnight positions.
The last event of the Laser 2000 calendar was held at Rutland on 16 & 17 October. The Burridges and Hulleys had already done enough to secure first and second places but behind them points were close and there was all to play for. There was close racing and much place changing throughout the weekend over short courses in shifty conditions. Jasper and Laura Barnham ended the weekend with a commanding lead over the Burridges and Chris and Emily Macdonald’s good results on Sunday pulled them through to take third place. It was however the Macgregor’s consistency over the seven months that placed them third overall in the series with the Endeavour Prize going to Peter and Vivienne Nattrass.
The Class is grateful for the generous sponsorship by LaserPerformance and to Noble Marine for supporting youth entries.
Once again there was a good spread of trophy winners throughout the fleet with the Burridges taking the Millennium Series, the Barnhams the National Championships, Mike Hart and Sally Kilpatrick the Inlands, the Yardleys the Caledonian Ring and the Fillmores the Eurocup Series.
With an increasingly full calendar for 2011 already set, thanks to the hard work of John Cox (Sailing Secretary) and Eric Robertson (Scottish Rep) the Class Association has two messages for anyone sitting on the fence: first, sailing a Laser 2000 is ‘not what you expect’ – unless that is extremely competitive sailing for all abilities in a friendly class. Second, we’d love you to make 2011 the year to take your sailing one step further – do come along to an open, commit to a series, or try the Nationals in Abersoch for a full week of sailing at a great venue.
Detailed reports of 2010 can be found here on YachtsandYachting.cp, and the rejuvenated class website www.laser2000.org.uk
Millennium Series Results:
1st 2458, Rob Burridge & Katie Burridge, Wet n Wicked (Weir Wood SC) 5pts
2nd 22222, Tim Hulley & Linda Hulley, Cracker Jack (Weir Wood SC) 11pts
3rd 21131, James Macgregor & Jenny Macgregor, Rob Roy (Grafham WSC) 22pts
4th 22237, Miles Wade & Anderley Wade, The Hawks (Army SA) 26pts
5th 22252, Graham Sexton & Kristina Harbourne, Almost There (Thorpe Bay SC) 27pts
Endeavour Prize
21852 Peter, Nattrass & Vivienne Nattrass (Bough Beech SC)