Laser Grand Prix Series at Beadnell Sailing Club
by Myles Ripley 7 Sep 2021 05:38 BST
4 September 2021
Laser Grand Prix at Beadnell Bay © Richard Benson
Twelve competitors took to the sea in the "only West facing harbour on the NE coast" (!) in light winds that were forecast to increase as the day went on.
For those of us used to lake sailing, the waves were an interesting extra dimension as it was quite choppy and every wave can stop a light boat like a Laser. Since we were in the open sea, there was not much influence from the tide.
The top sailors in the fleet battled it out at the top with a new entrant from Ogston mixing it at the top coming 2nd. Nathan Batchelor from Tynemouth put in his third 1st of the series while while regulars Tim Keighley and Stuart Belfield were pipped to the podium by Radial sailor Thomas Bates from Ripon.
Sam Gunning was 3rd Radial with MPR coming 4th Radial. We look forward to next week's sailing on the very tidal Blackpool & Fleetwood event.