Blowing away the cobwebs

Greg Eaton reports on the Laser 4000 racing at Felixstowe Ferry

A lazy start time was in order for the 35 Laser 4000s at Felixstowe Ferry, and the fleet took to sea in a good force 2-3 which increased during the day, and with lots of sunshine promoting the first outbreak of "knees out" on the circuit! Perhaps it was the sunshine, or the late kick off but over the course of the weekend there were a large number of 'duckhamsesque performances' both on and off the water by any number of the fleet, which will lead to outbreaks of ritual humiliation at the Nationals - names have been noted!

The strict one-design nature of the class, weight equalisation and downwind asymmetric fun provided an excellent weekend's racing with multiple overlapping finishes right throughout the fleet. Being able to get off the start line, was important but with the tidal escalator coming into play choosing the right side of the beat could prove to be even more effective. Tony Kilby & Mike Owen were buried off the line in the third race, went hard right and ended up first round the top mark, nice one, only to be let down by the hoist where the halyard went up the mast and the kite stayed firmly in the chute - now who did tie that knot?

Worthy of a 'notable mention' were relative newcomers, Mark and Peter Flanders - having finished the first day in fifth place overall they proceeded to enjoy the ferry's legendary hospitality perhaps a little too enthusiastically and knocked in a 27,22 and an RTD on the Sunday

In 10th place Al Hodgson & Kevin Reed (Robson Rhodes), winners at Derwent looked liked they'd lost their mojo on the drive east, but will be back with a vengeance at Stokes Bay. Mini Summerhayes & Kevin Barnard didn't have any trailer trouble for this event and posted a 9th overall.

A new pairing this season of Craig Palmer and Stephen Rockley (Critical Path) is showing that practice pays off, as they were always up there at the first windward mark, and scoring one 4th finished 8th overall. In 7th place Tom Glanfield & Richard Mayo who suffered from dropping the mast whilst in 6th place in one race - remember not to buy cheap shackles next time! In 6th place and winning the "battle of the youngsters" was Jon Rix and Ed Wilton (Ocean Images) counting 5,5,6

Greg Eaton and CC Summerhayes continued their breezy showing from Derwent and despite some kite rigging issues managed to post a 3rd and 4th to finish 5th overall narrowly beaten by John Reynolds and Fran Howell who as current series leaders won the tricky light wind race on Sunday morning which helped them up the order to 4th.

Peter Barton on a mission to introduce yet more crews into the delights of the 4000, sailed with Richard Guy who had never been in a 4000 prior to the weekend. Their overall position, third, was scuppered a little in the last race by hitting a large plastic bag at full chat and promptly going down the mine - well it was meant to be a full 4000 induction, and face planting the forestay is just part of the fun!

Andy Palmer Felgate sailing with Jon Modral, proved that stopping on the way to an event to puke, is no impediment and lead overnight with a score of 1,2,1. Perhaps more alcohol on Saturday night was required as they couldn't do as well on Sunday and were narrowly beaten into second. In pole position Doug & Hilary Baker (Preferred International) showed the fleet the way round in the breeze scoring only 1st and 2nds, to take home a pair of kit bags from the series sponsors, Crewsaver who have generously provided prizes for the each event in the series.

So once again - another great 4000 event @ Felixstowe with a friendly welcome, great breeze, superb race management with no gaps in turning around the races - and to top it all off the excellent hospitality provided by the club. We're already booked to return in 2004 - make sure you do the same!!

Results:
1st Doug Baker Hilary Baker HISC Preferred Intl.
2nd Andy Palmer Felgate Jon Modral Tamesis Team Control
3rd Pete Barton Richard Guy Royal Lymington Team Control
4th John Reynolds Fran Howell Grafham Water 4570
5th Greg Eaton CC Summerhayes Spinnaker Synarchy