RC Laser Northern open event at Fleetwood Model Yacht Club

RC Laser Northern open event at Fleetwood © Bob Jolly

Eight Skippers and a dry forecast for Light wind conditions from the roadside. Confusion set in at the beginning as the very initial light breeze couldn't decide to flow along the lake from any of the directions. The weather man said it would come from the log cabin, but it was starting to favour the clubhouse.

The first race as just a starter headed across the lake on a diagonal. We then opted for the short figure of eight course, back and forwards. The first race was for 2 laps, but then the remainder would just be the one.

Eric won the first long race, before handing over the baton to Shaun. Paul was sailing GBR 85 borrowed from Tony and was having his usual tussles and staying out of trouble close in Dock, we think he probably prefers his Dragon Force boat. Tony was not faring much better and was having one issue after another. An off centre rudder was his first, obviously adjusted by trim hidden under his transmit cover and then the tricky wind fluctuations that also bothered some of the rest of the fleet.

Derek managed to win a race and it was not his last, as he gained a good handful. Eric then managed to squeeze in another win just before lunch.

Paul left us in the afternoon, but then a long lost friend from Tony turned up to have a go at piloting an RC Laser. Ian has sailed full size Lasers and Dinghies and needed very little coercion into having a go with the remote control version. Whenever anybody shows even a little interest, we normally thrust a transmitter into their hands before they realise it. Not so the case with Ian, his eyes lit up at the half chance of having a go, plus a few more and he even managed a second place.

The races, although not at such a hot pace, were coming quick and fast on the short course and so we had completed the magic sixteen before dark.

Although this was an Open event, outside the Fleetwood Skippers we only had Alan Tickle from West Lancs join us.

Results:

1 Shaun Holbeche 17 pts
2 Derek Priestly 23 pts
3 Eric Austwick 40 pts

RC Laser Northern open event at Fleetwood - photo © Bob Jolly