Laser open meeting at Tynemouth Sailing Club

Laser open meeting at Tynemouth © Colin Edgar

On Saturday the 10th of July a mixed group of 19 Laser sailors from the North of England assembled at a Tynemouth Sailing Club at what can only be described as a very calm day.

After the normal shoreside activities the decision was made to race and the fleet departed the beach at around 10:30 hoping for a sea breeze to arrive in time for the first start at 11:30. The wind was holding as a steady but light easterly allowing Race Officer Howard Stevenson to set a course in an area north of the Mouth of the Tyne under the beautiful cliffs of Tynemouth Priory and the longing stares of the sunseekers flocking the white sands of Longsands beach.

Despite having the distraction of a pod of dolphins appearing in the middle of his race course Howard had everything set up in time for the first race.

Wind conditions at the start of the first race were far from ideal with average wind speeds of circa 3.5kts this combined with an incoming tide led to some challenging sailing conditions. Things did begin to improve as the afternoon progressed with the last two races being run in slightly improved wind speed of 4-5kts.

Laser open meeting at Tynemouth - photo © Colin Edgar

With the majority of the fleet comprising of ILCA 7s, with one Radial and one 4.7, all fleets started together. Racing was close throughout the day with positions changing through the fleet continually.

The local crowd did appear to have the advantage of understanding the local tidal conditions with Nathan Batchelor (Tynemouth SC) wining the first race followed closely by Tim Keighley (West Riding SC) and John Pitkethly (Tynemouth SC) in third.

Race two followed on with more close racing ending with Nathan in first, Tim in second with Mel Landamore (Tynemouth SC) third.

There was genuine excitement at the start of race three after the race officer raised the 'black flag' after the first attempt at a start was swiftly followed by a general recall. The fleet did however get away cleanly following the second attempt. Although Nathan and Tim finished in first and second again the fight for third position was hotting up - eventually going to Chris Mayes (Tynemouth SC).

All in all the sailing was fun and the event was well organised thanks to the team at Tynemouth.

Nathan Batchelor and Tim Keighley decisively secured first and second overall respectively, the battle for third was much tighter with three boats equal on points and, after countback, it was eventually decided in favour of Chris Mayes.

Laser open meeting at Tynemouth - photo © Colin Edgar

Overall Results: