UK Lasers set for battle

Largs Sailing Club will Host the Laser UK National Championship next week

Olympic class sailing is taking to the seas off Largs, on the West coast of Scotland, this week (12-18 August) as some of the world’s top talent compete in the prestigious Laser National Championships.

The Scottish Sailing Institute (SSI) is hosting the event, in conjunction with Largs Sailing Club. Sailing Development Manager at the SSI, Jo Turner, says it’s great to have the event back at Largs: “We last hosted the Laser Nationals in 2003 and it was a massive success. Athletes come from all over the UK and Ireland and the feedback we get is amazing. We’ve got fantastic sailing waters, stunning scenery and all the facilities and race support that’s required.”

Up to 350 boats are set to enter in three different classes during the six day event. Youths and veterans will compete together in the waters off Largs and to the north of the Isle of Cumbrae.

Turner says it’ll be an exciting championship with many well-known athletes appearing to battle it out for the 2006 title: “We’re expecting to see some great things from our Scottish talent too. National squad member Charlotte Dobson from Helensburgh will be hoping to stay in the top two of the Radial Gold fleet, while her sister Anna and fellow Scottish squad member Cameron Steele will both be hoping to improve on their performance from last year. Eyes will also be on veteran Steve Cockerill, who’ll be trying to retain the title of Radial National Champion.”

The Scottish Sailing Institute was officially opened in 2001 by Olympic Gold Medallist Shirley Roberston MBE, and Allan Wilson MSP. It was chosen by the Royal Yachting Association as its location for the Scottish Centre for Excellence.