RC Laser Travellers' Trophy at Blackpool & Fylde Model Boat Club
by Tony Wilson 1 Jul 2015 03:30 PDT
21 June 2015
RC Laser National Champion Derek Priestley (670) leading the fleet Fairhaven TT © Robert Wheeler /
www.rclasers.com
If you want to sail with the best come to the North West!
At Fairhaven Lake on the 21st June, the longest day of the year, we were in great company for a Northern RC Laser Summer series event that doubled up as a National TT. We had visitors from the Midlands, the South and from as far afield as Canada in a quality field of 16 sailors.
We were in for an exciting day as the weather forecast was for 22MPH westerly winds. This was pretty accurate and resulted in an unspoilt wind straight down the lake,without the usual spill from the central twin islands.
A large triangular course was set of two and a half circuits, which gave us lots of great water time and plenty of beating in the eight races sailed.
Sail selection meant that everyone gave their D (Storm) sails lots of abuse, except for the opening race, which had a split of C and D Rigs. The wind was constant although we had a few quirky wind shifts in the vicinity of the large eye-catching Spitfire sat on its plinth at the western end of the lake.
Good grouping and fierce battling throughout the field made for excellent spectating from onlookers and passers by.
In the end, it was a fine victory for Dave Fowler, from Kingsmill, but only by the narrowest of margins from Fleetwood's national champion, Derek Priestley. They finished on identical scores and a count-back was required to decide the winner.. Third went to Shaun Holbeche also from Fleetwood, after eventually finding his lost boat from an earlier round. (These lasers really sail themselves). A very creditable fourth place went to our furthest travelled visitor, Doug Hawksworth from Oakville Yacht Squadron, Ontario, Canada.
The next TT of the 2015 national series, is at Fleetwood on 26th July.