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November 2003

The Newsletter of Spinnaker Club, Ringwood

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Spinnaker Lasers

It has only been a short while since my last Newsletter at the end of August and since that time a high proportion of the Laser fleet has been involved in the Laser South Coast Grand Prix at Castle Cove, Weymouth, Weston on Southampton Water and at Spinnaker Club. Jonathon Burns and I have also been away competing in the Laser Masters Autumn Cup held at Highcliffe. As a consequence I have been unable to compete in regular Sunday Club events.

With many of our sailors representing the Club away from home turnouts on Sundays have naturally been diminished but it is hoped that during the run up to Christmas turnouts will return the Lasers to the largest fleet on the water.

I would like to take the opportunity of thanking the Laser sailors at Spinnaker for supporting the Laser South Coast Grand Prix Series which I co-ordinate. At the last seven events we have had over five entrants and at Castle Cove we had nine representatives racing. This is a fantastic achievement and I am particularly grateful to those travellers who turn up and are happy just to compete and enjoy their sailing against other local club sailors. I would particularly like to mention Jo Newall-Smith, who achieved third place in the Radial Grand Prix Series and Chris Stott for his sixth place, achieved through hard work and turning out on a regular basis.

Richard Clay sailed in a full standard rig at both Castle Cove and Weston and in both events managed to beat me by two and three places respectively. Jonathon Burns performed well at Weston to get a creditable eighth out of twenty-five boats. Jonathon was sixth in the Standard South Coast Grand Prix and I am hoping he will improve his position next year.

During the break from racing after Christmas I will be travelling down to Christchurch Harbour to join in with their Frostbite series. Any Laser or Club sailor interested in representing Spinnaker at this event will be more than welcome. The Club has developed good relations with Highcliffe and Mudeford sailing clubs over the last few years and it makes a nice change to compete against other local Club Sailors in different surroundings. I would encourage the Solos, in particular, to join the Lasers in defending the Quadrangle Trophy which is an event held between Spinnaker, Christchurch, Mudeford and Highcliffe. This is a team event and once the date and venue is set it will appear in the programme for next year.
Peter May

Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation

A Laser definition:
1. Boat that costs 2800 pounds in England.
2. Boat that costs 2800 dollars in America.
Ed.

Spinnaker Laser Open

The last of the Laser South Coast Grand Prix Open Meetings was held at Spinnaker on 4 October 2003.
Prize giving for the whole event followed the open meeting, ensuring a good 44 boat turnout. There were 17 Standards, 15 Radials and 12 4.7’s with separate starts for each class. Racing was due to commence at 11.00 am but was postponed until 12 noon when the wind gradually filled in to a force 2-3 with occasional gusts of 4. The wind was from an unusual north westerly direction and as a consequence it was very gusty and patchy. This made it particularly difficult for some of our visitors who are more used to the consistent direction winds found on the coast.

Peter May took a flyer in the first race to lead around the first mark but was quickly overhauled by Tom Clay sailing his son's boat by taking advantage of a gust around the island to reach the second mark first. Tom led the fleet for much of the race before eventually being overhauled by Steve Harper from Draycott Water.

In the second race, Richard Horn from Weston, took the honours with Peter May second and Jim Anderson from Spinnaker finishing a creditable fifth. In the third race Dave Holloway from Mudeford was first, followed by Mike Robinson with Peter May third. In overall places, Steve Harper of Draycott was 1st, Dave Holloway from Mudeford 2nd and Peter May from Spinnaker 3rd.

The Radials were second to start, with the Radials dominated by Mat McGrath who scored three bullets to take the title. Max Holloway from Mudeford and 4.7 national champion was 2nd with Nick Van Tiernan, the winner of the Laser South Coast Grand Prix series 3rd. Ed Morris, a new convert to the Laser’s was placed 5th in each of the three races, showing great consistency. Felix Newall-Smith was forced to retire in the first two races but achieved a credible 4th in the last race.

The 4.7 section was close won by David Jessop of Grafham Water, David Harper from Draycott was 2nd and Peter Trevis Bell from Lymington 3rd, each scoring a first place. Spinnaker’s James Anderson scored three 3rds to take fourth place overall. It was disappointing that Spinnaker only had one representative in the 4.7 rig but it is hoped there will be more converts to the rig in 2004.

Overall it was a successful day for all our club sailors. I would like to thank Dave Wilkins, the Race Officer, and his assistants for running the event on our behalf, and also Chris Stott and Carlton Lifts for sponsorship of the event and purchasing the extra prizes over and above the standard Club prizes.

Peter May