Yeadon Sailing Club Laser Open - 10 May 2015

Officer of the Day - Bill Wilson (Solo)

Assistant Officer of the Day - John Cheetham (N12)

Galley - Gren Fletcher, Mary Dawson, Patricia Atkinson, Glenis Burgess

YSC’s first Open Meeting of the 2015 season started with good winds forecast to get stronger during the day. 10 sailors, including 7 visitors from other Yorkshire and Lancashire Clubs raced hard, giving no quarter.

Race 1 - Sunny, quite warm, moderate SE winds, gusting 2-3

A good start by Adrian Sandilands (UKLA) who had a decent lead from Ian Lees (Scammonden SC) - a lead which was reversed by the second lap.  Charlotte Greenmalem (Leigh & Lawton SC) had a tremendous last two laps, moving from 3rd to take the race at the finish, closely followed by Adrian in 2nd, with Ian Lees in 3rd place.

Over lunch the decision was taken to run Races 2 & 3 back to back with no tea break, so the galley staff could have a sit down for a bit!

Race 2 - stronger SE winds, gusting 3-4

The wind became stronger with plenty of shifts  - typical of Yeadon SC - causing quite a few capsizes. Laura Beardsmore (Yeason SC) came off the water after a difficult recovery, and, determined to race in the third race, stood dripping around the clubroom for 45 mins until it was time to go back out again.

Meanwhile, on the water, Charlotte  was obviously getting used to the shifty Yeadon winds as she sailed away from the rest of the fleet to win her second race.  Also clear of the ‘peloton’ - or rest of the fleet - was Adrian Sandilands, who took second.  There was a hard fight for 3rd place between Ian Lees (Scammonden), Paul Cornish (Scammonden) and Andy Ratcliffe (Rossendale Valley SC).  Ian Lees finally took the honours of 3rd place.

Race 3 - winds gusting 4

After a tiring second race, the fleet went straight into the third race without a break. Undeterred, Charlotte continued to sail brilliantly in even more shifty winds, again getting ahead of the fleet to win the third race.  Adrian was beating Ian Lees, until he capsized giving Ian the chance of getting ahead, so Ian took 2nd place, with Adrian 3rd. The remaining fleet trailed in for the minor places, very tired, glad to finish.

Final results

Race 1                                                                                               Charlotte Greenmalen                              

Adrian Sandilands                                                                             Ian Lees                                                                                             Andy Ratcliffe                                                                          

Race 2
Charlotte Greenmalen
Adrian Sandilands
Ian Lees
Paul Cornish

Race 3
Charlotte Greenmalen
Ian Lees
Adrian Sandilands
Andy Ratcliffe

Final Position
1 Charlotte Greemalen
2 Adrian Sandilands
3 Ian Lees
4 Andy Ratcliffe

Laser Radial                           
Jenni Parsons

First Yeadon Sailor                               
Andrew Cowling

We were delighted that Jenni won the Laser Radial Special Award.  After a distinguished career as a Topper sailor, Jenni has been sailing a Laser for just over 2 weeks - this is her first Open Meeting.  Obviously a sailor to watch in the future!