Medway RC Laser Club Winter Series 2025 at Barton's Point Coastal Park - Week 3
by Jamie Blair 20 Jan 18:46 GMT
19 January 2025
Medway RC Laser Club Winter Series week 3 © Fiona Blair
For today's racing the wind was very much in the lower numbers. The forecast was for 5 knots and direction SE. No question on rig size - the biggest A rig.
We have had an unforced break with high winds, no wind, Christmas and sub-zero temperatures causing the lake to freeze. Race 1 brought seven boats to the water and with a standard triangle/sausage course. There was a reasonable beat to the windward mark with more wind away from the shore. Judging the lay line into the mark was key to both keeping ahead and providing opportunity to take a place or two. Tim started as he had left off in round 2 in 2024.
The start line provided a small amount of port bias that saw a number of brave and successful port flyers. Mark Penny (03) did just this in race 2 and led the fleet for the race with Jamie Blair (51) and Tim Townsend (45). His smart watch recording a very high heartbeat!
Race 3 saw Jamie get to grips with the start and take wins the next for four races, including in race 6 a cheeky overtake on the run to the last mark to deny Tony Alexander (04) a win. Justice did prevail in the next race when Jamie turned too early for the last mark and Tony close behind took the opportunity to right the wrong! Tim over the seven races was picking up scraps (some turns also) with a string of third places. Tim and Jon Moon (84) vying for the runners up spot on the podium.
With the wind shifting and possible port end starting Tim pulled off a port flyer in race 8 and a win. Tony shadowed him around the course, along with Mark. So intense was the racing covering tactics were very evident.
Even with the wind favouring the port end the door was closed by the fleet pushing down the line and executing a tack on to port ahead of those attempting the port flyer.
By race 10 Jamie had a good overall lead with Tim and Mark on equal points. The next race brought Tim to the lead spot, Jamie second and an excellent third for Charles Pegram (72). Bob Woodford (72) was improving his results taking his third 5th place.
By the last race Jamie had recorded two more first places, but Tim was always there waiting for any mistake to allow a pass. Mark and Tony now on equal points vying for third overall.
Tim led the last race from the front with Tony in second and Mark third. Jamie was nowhere making an unforced error in trying to adjust his boat and being late for the start!
It was wonderful being back on the water after such a long spell and to see good rules observance. Some talk about the revised Rules with RRS 14c taking the limelight!
Two discards kept Jamie ahead of Tim and Tony third.
Our next Sunday racing is scheduled for the 26th January.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | R10 | R11 | R12 | R13 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 51 | Jamie Blair | ‑5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | ‑7 | 18 |
| 2nd | 45 | Tim Townsend | 1 | 3 | ‑4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | ‑6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 23 |
| 3rd | 4 | Tony Alexander | 2 | ‑6 | 3 | 4 | ‑6 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 32 |
| 4th | 3 | Mark Penny | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 1 | ‑7 | ‑7 | 4 | 3 | 33 |
| 5th | 84 | Jon Moon | 4 | 4 | 5 | ‑6 | 5 | ‑6 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 48 |
| 6th | 72 | Charles Pegram | 6 | 5 | 6 | ‑7 | 3 | 5 | 5 | (DNF) | 4 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 53 |
| 7th | 76 | Bob Woolford | ‑7 | ‑7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 69 |