Rooster Laser Masters' Nationals at Pevensey Bay Sailing Club - Overall

Rooster Laser Masters' Nationals at Pevensey Bay © Adrian Peckham

Three days, 8 races, conditions ranging from flat calm to 25+ knots

A record turnout of 139 boats with visitors from 7 countries from as far afield as Australia, made this a truly unforgettable Rooster National Laser Masters Championships.

The final results have now been posted for both the standard and Radial Fleets.

Day 1 (continued from day 1 report here)

Following a protest by the lead three boats on day 1 the race officer and protest committee agreed to re-instate the abandoned race 1 for the Standard fleet only.

However, as the reason for abandoning the Standard race was due to a merging of tail end of the standard fleet with the front of the Radial fleet; making it impossible to read and differentiate both fleets sail numbers. A compromise position was reached with the results standing for the first 46 boats standard boats and all standard boats finishing after this place being awarded equal points, scoring 47 points each.

Day 2

The day started with a light 5 knot gradient breeze from the South West resulting in both fleets being held ashore until midday.

By midday The South Westerly gradient breeze had built to 8 knots which allowed the first race of the second day to start. With a 7 metre tidal range, 2.1 metre high waves, and variable pressure, starting throughout the day proved challenging for both competitors and race officer.

Race 4 - A heavily biased pin end and tide pushing the boats down resulted in many not able to cross the line on starboard tack. The conditions required maximum power settings to get over the rolling waves, with those taking advantage of the lee bow effect to the first mark benefiting most.

The battle in this race was between Gledhill, Davis and Howard, finishing in this order.

Race 5 - The South Westerly gradient breeze had now built to 11 knots and the tide had turned to make a confused sea state. Keeping the boat moving was everything. The same three front runners emerged and this time Davis secured the win from Gedhill and Howard.

Race 6 - Maximum hiking conditions prevailed for race three with the breeze having built to 15 knots.

Three general recalls later the standard fleet still couldn't get a start away. Many of the top boats had become victims of the black flag through over aggression at the heavily biased pin end with tide pushing them over. The race officer operated the three strike rule and sent the standard fleet off to cool down whilst the Radial fleet got away first go.

It took two further recalls before the decimated standard fleet got away minus most of the front runners. This let the International visitors get a look in on the leader board for a change with a strong Dutch dialect detected at the sharp end of the fleet. Cnossen and Sierhuis took the line honours from May representing the home nation in third.

Day 3

Race 7 - With a freshening 15 to 20 knot south westerly gradient breeze combining with a building sea breeze, a flooding tide from the West and large sea state the race officer was immediately facing significant challenges laying any form of course.

The committee boat was unable to make anchor in the usual race course area so moved closer inshore to find a shallower anchorage. Three anchors and an anchored vessel holding the committee boat into the wind finally secured the start line.

Rooster Laser Masters' Nationals at Pevensey Bay - photo © Adrian Peckham

The closer inshore position exaggerated the shifts caused by the contending sea and land breeze, resulting in the first start being abandoned after a 30 degree shift kicked in immediately after the start The restart proved successful and the fleet were flat out in ever strengthening breeze. Making the triangle reaches exhilarating and extremely physical. Howard showed the best technique and read the shifting breeze best with Gledhill and Davis fighting it out for the next top spots, Gledhill got the better of Davis on this occasion.

Race 8 - Sadly Howard was out of contention for the championship as he was carrying a black flag and DNF from the previous day. This meant that Gledhill had to win and beat Davis by two clear boats in the final race to secure the National title. Davis just had to stay in contention with Gledhill and keep upright to win. Easier said than done with the breeze peaking over 25 knots and a rising tide causing some fantastic surfing conditions down wind.

The race got away cleanly and Davis Gledhill and Howard were the main contenders with reigning Grand Master World Champion Nick Harrison giving an impressive heavy airs downwind lesson.

The breeze shifted on the second lap making the first reaching mark (which was by now dragging it's anchor) so tight that any boats taking a down tide course had to tack to make it. Rounding the gybe mark sent the fleet on a very broad reach back down towards the committee boat, surfing down some amazing waves. When the lead boats closed in on the committee boat they looked puzzled as the leeward mark had disappeared having been swept off its anchor. The leaders made a lame attempt at rounding an orange rib clutching onto a large inflatable mark, leaving the race officer little option other than to hoist the abandon race flag.

Rooster Laser Masters' Nationals at Pevensey Bay - photo © Adrian Peckham

To be fair to the race team they made a great job with the equipment provided. With the benefit of hindsight ribs could have been deployed to keep station on all of the marks. However, with safety cover paramount and a 25 knot plus breeze, the on water safety resources would have been badly compromised if this decision had of been made.

Everyone returned to shore exhilarated and exhausted after some fantastic sailing conditions. The Pevensey Bay Sailing Club Rooster Laser Masters goes down as one of, if not the best ever nationals!

Overall Results: