Laser Wessex Grand Prix at Thornbury Sailing Club

Laser Wessex Grand Prix at Thornbury © Paul Craig

Laser Wessex Grand Prix at Thornbury © Paul Craig

Laser Wessex Grand Prix at Thornbury © Paul Craig

On Saturday 16th August, Thornbury SC hosted the latest Laser Wessex GP event on the tidal waters of the Severn Estuary.

With a strong westerly breeze forecast, many of the visitors thought they'd gotten away with it, when they arrived to a gentle F2-3, however as the fleet prepared to launch in came the breeze. Race officer Paul Craig set a 'P' shaped course sending the fleet off on a reach along the shore against the strong tide, before conjuring up a beat out into the middle of the estuary. The gybe mark set right in front of the sailing club made for some great spectating at the end of the run with a couple of reaches to complete the lap.

In race 1 John Ling of Bartley SC got clear air off of the line and headed for the tidal relief close to the shore, while others set about luffing each other out into the stronger tide, a mistake they weren't to make again! Rick Plummer (Bowmoor SC) and Adam John (Tewkesbury SC), attempted to chase down Ling but nothing was going to catch him.

In race 2 with the tide easing, the fleet stayed more compact and it was Plummer who took the early lead, only to give it away at the end of the first run. Ling then pulled away to another win. Adam John got caught in the pack and was unable to make a real showing leaving Richard Lymposs (Papercourt SC) to move up the placings.

Race 3 started in a falling tide, and to ensure a beat the race officer omitted the first mark from race 1 & 2. Again it was Ling who led the fleet, but Adam John managed to get back into the zone, and held onto Lings coat tails, with Lymposs just behind.

The top Radial of the day was Thornbury SCs very own Julie Crocker.

The fleet now moves on to Penarth for the next event in the Wessex GP series.

Overall Results: