Yeadon SC – Laser Open Meeting Sunday May 11th 2014(Northern GP Series)

The third meeting in the Northern Area Laser GP for 2014 took place at Yeadon SC. Competitors were greeted with blustery conditions and a constantly shifting wind, not unusual for Yeadon but with gusts regularly reaching up to force 4/5, this was high for the open event! A total of 6 visitors joined the 8 home boats, for what would be a highly eventful day of racing, and which would see the fleet face a high rate of attrition with the final race having only 5 finishers.

The first race got under way with a clean start with gusts of 20 knots. Three retirements occurred during the first race due to gear failure – an indication of what was to come. The lead group pulled away with Ian Jones from Dovestone SC taking a clear win. The fight for second and third positions was not decided until the last mark before the finish when a dramatic shifting gust capsized all three boats – the first to right their boat would be rewarded with second place. This was achieved by Ian Lees of Scammonden SC, quickly followed by Isaac Marsh, also of Scammonden SC and who was sailing his radial. Luke Cowling was the first finisher for the home club, coming in fourth. 

After lunch, the course was altered in the hope that this would reduce the multiple capsizes which took place in Race 1. This was not to be the case, resulting in more retirements. Nevertheless, the nine finishers enjoyed a close and ever-changing order throughout the forty minute race. 

From the start, Luke Cowling, Ian Jones, and Graham MacWhirter took an early lead, pulling away from Ian Lees and Isaac Marsh. Capsizes were the order of the day for the rest of the fleet although the lead group was not devoid of such mishaps with Ian Jones coming unstuck, allowing Graham to capitalise. As the race progressed, Luke and Ian Jones built a strong lead – it would be down to these two as to who would take the win. Luke was holding a strong position as lead boat until an unfortunate gust caught him unawares, giving the lead back to Ian Jones, who would go on to consolidate his position to win race 2. Luke came in second with Ian Lees finishing third. The gusts and shifty wind continued to torment the fleet and it would be those sailors who managed to stay upright who would reap the benefit. Andy Ratcliffe was one such competitor who progressed well through the fleet to eventually finish the race in fourth place.   

The final race of the day saw a reduced fleet of seven sailors battling it out for race honours. Luke took another excellent start earning him a quick lead over Ian Lees. Unfortunately, with a massive wind shift, came two capsizes for Luke in fairly quick succession, dropping him down to 5th and an eventual retirement. Isaac in his Radial took over the lead, hotly pursued by Ian Lees. Ian would eventually overtake Isaac and with only five boats remaining in the race, the outcome was far less-dramatic than the previous three races: Ian Lees winning race 3, Isaac coming in second and Graham MacWhirter finishing third.

Overall Ian Jones was first having secured two wins. Ian Lees came in second with Isaac Marsh third and first radial. The open event was well-received and in what were very tough sailing conditions, the OOD and his team worked admirably in setting a good course and ensuring a professional and safe event was undertaken. Also, last but certainly not least, thanks goes to the catering team and their excellent job in keeping the sailors full of sustenance!

Kieron Wright, Laser Fleet Captain, Yeadon Sailing Club

Pos	Rig	Helm	Club	R1	R2	R3
1st	Standard	Ian Jones	Dovestone SC	1	1	15
2nd	Standard	Ian Lees	Scammonden SC	2	3	1
3rd	Radial	Isaac Marsh	Scammonden SC	3	6	2
4th	Standard	Luke Cowling	Yeadon SC	4	2	15
5th	Standard	Graham MacWhirter		6	5	3