Laser Open at Elton Sailing Club
by David Gamble 5 Jul 2010 08:45 BST
3 July 2010
Lasers at Elton © Jo Weller & John Mann
Sunshine and 10mph wind greeted 5 visitors and 9 home boats to the recently refilled Elton reservoir.
The home boat of Darren Nield could not be headed taking all three wins in his first year back in the boat after a 4 year lay off. 2nd to 4th was closely contested between Malcolm Marsden (Blackpool & Fleetwood), Peter Finney and David Gamble who swapped positions around the course with places decided in the final race. The most competitive battles took place in the middle of the fleet as 50yards covered 6 boats with any mistakes punished immediately.
Excitement of the day was caused by a freak blast of wind in the 3rd race, 12 mph wind was transformed into a whirling gust kicking spray off the tops of what waves there were. Half of the fleet were demolished, while the other half survived to take advantage. All recovered to continue racing which made good bar chat.
Overall Results:
1st Darren Nield (Elton)
2nd David Gamble (Elton)
3rd Peter Finney (Elton)
4th Malcolm Marseden (Blackpool & Fleetwood YC)
5th Christopher Spencer (Welton SC)
1st Junior/Radial, Rudy Chadwick-Smith (LLBSC)