South East Laser Grand Prix Circuit at Chipstead Sailing Club

Lasers at Chipstead © Sophie Poston

For once, a good breeze greeted the entrants for this year's Chipstead Laser Open, part of the South East Laser Grand Prix Circuit, but unfortunately this was accompanied by decidedly un-Spring like temperatures and a wind chill factor which made it feel like the middle of winter, but despite this 17 Club boats were joined by an excellent turnout of 8 visitors, some from as far away as deepest Essex.

The morning races were sailed in a north-easterly wind which was not as strong as forecast, although having some Chipstead gusts thrown in, which enabled Race Officer Alan Warren to set a beat the length of the Lake.

Lasers at Chipstead - photo © Sophie Poston

Race 1 saw a few problems for the fleet getting clear air away from a strongly biased pin end, but Graham Field (CSC) succeeded in building up a large lead, chased by Dan Thorne-Large (CSC) and David Goddard (Weirwood) who finished in that order.

The start of Race 2 was also a determining feature as a starboard tacker who shall remain nameless, took the whole fleet bar one, off towards the north shore of the Lake. The one lucky person to escape was John Masters (CSC) who shot off up the beat into a lead which despite his best endeavours to lose it, was so great that he could not be caught, although Goddard was catching him hand over fist towards the end!

Lasers at Chipstead - photo © Sophie Poston

After lunch provided by the wonderful Carlene of Lucas Catering, the Club's caterers, the wind direction remained similar to the morning but increased in strength with some stronger gusts, but just as cold if not more so, causing some to remain in the warmth of the Clubhouse.

Race 3 saw Goddard make no mistake and shoot into a good lead, followed by Field and Alan Ritchie (CSC) who battled out the second place with Field edging out Ritchie with the ever consistent Matthew Cox (Bewl Sailing Association) in fourth.

Having won the meeting, Goddard sat out Race 4, which, after the only General Recall of the day, allowed Cox to come to the fore, winning the race, although closely chased by Ritchie, and then a pack of boats led by David Binding (Weirwood) in third, and Martin Graham (CSC) in fourth, just ahead of a gaggle of close finishers.

Lasers at Chipstead - photo © Sophie Poston

Overall then, it was Goddard first, with Field second and Ritchie, third. Special mention must go to the only lady entrant, Janet Ritchie, who despite her lightweight, sailed a Standard rig brilliantly in the windy conditions, and would have finished higher, had she not tested the depth of the lake at the beginning of Race 4!

The 4.7 class had 4 entries from the home Club and was dominated by Callum Sarsfield who won every race, even sailing Race 4 when he was the only starter!

Many thanks are due to Alan Warren and his hard working team of Graduate sailors both on the water and in the galley, for once again a very efficiently run meeting and for providing a very enjoyable day of racing.

Overall Results: