LASER SUPER GRAND PRIX AT ST MARY’S LOCH SAILING CLUB May 29/30th 2021

45 Laser sailors entered our very first regional Super Grand prix hosted by St Mary’s on the May Bank Holiday weekend for a day of coaching in the Laser/ILCA followed by a day of racing in the lovely setting of St Mary’s Loch. Lights winds were the pattern for the whole weekend and even prevented getting on the water in the morning of the coaching – however the coaches set up a carousel of activities for the sailors. After an early lunch the breeze came in and we were able to carry out an afternoon of race exercises.

Sunday dawned with a bit of wind so the racing set off on time with three races back to back but the wind came and went which tested all the sailors. As ever, the best sailors found the best wind and the racing at the top of both the Standard ILCA7 fleet and the Radial ILCA6 was very tight – so much so that the final results of the ILCA6 were challenged and took some time to resolve.

There were only three sailing in the ILCA4 fleet who had a good day

In the bigger ILCA6 Radial fleet of 24 sailors Oscar Shilling of Derwent SC took 1st place and was also first youth – but was challenged by Tom Bates from Ripon and Mary – Jane Piper from Tynemouth

In the ILCA 7 it was very tight at the top with one of the Saturday coaches eventually taking the 1st place, Lewis Smith from Royal Forth SC , from the more familiar Tim Keighley from West Riding SC taking 2nd and Stuart Belfield from Loch Lomond taking 3rd

A great weekend for all – many thanks to all those at St Mary’s who hosted, catered, organized and in many cases competed (21 home club entries)

Myles Ripley