No wind inland

Hugh Watson reports from last weekend's Laser 4000 Crewsaver UK Series at Queen Mary Sailing Club

The Laser 4000 class turned up at Queen Mary for the first of the two inland end of season Crewsaver UK Series events to find a complete lack of wind which led to the cancellation of all sailing on Saturday.

Sunday turned out to much better though, a 10-15 knot wind blowing across the reservoir made for some excellent racing. By recent class standards an entry of 23 boats was quite small but it turned out to be the perfect number for the conditions and the space available as the wind direction did not give the OOD much room to set a course. The race officer did an excellent job however and rattled off 4 races in very short order leaving everyone to set off home in good spirits after a day of close and exciting racing.

The racing was dominated completely by Pete Barton & Adam May whose only mistake of the day was to sail an extra lap in the first race. Pete is in sparkling form at the moment having recently been crowned Both 4000 & 5000 National champion and having finished 4th and first non RS400 sailor in the Endeavour trophy the previous weekend. Exceptional speed in the gusty conditions and choosing the correct side of the course more often than not meant that they dominated every single race.

At least their mistake in the first race meant that in theory someone else could still win, providing they had a poor last race, but in truth that never looked likely and sure enough they won this one as well - although after a much closer fight.

The rest of the positions were much more closely contested and going into the final race there as a very close tussle for second overall. Ian and Hamish Calder already had a 1,5,4 to count. Paul Robinson & Fraser Hayden who always go well inland in the breeze were very consistent with 2,3,4 and Hugh & Helen Watson had 2,4,5.

Into the final race it was first blood to the Watson as they became the only people to beat Pete & Adam to a mark all day by being first round the windward mark. Their advantage was short lived however as they chose the wrong side of the run and were relegated to third by the leeward mark. This allowed Pete Barton into his customary lead which he held to the finish despite strong pressure from the Calder brothers.

Meantime the Watsons race went further downhill when they had to crash gybe to avoid another boat and capsized. Their strong second place with Robinson & Hayden third was good enough to give the Calders second overall with Robinson third and the Watsons fourth.

Although it ended up being a single day event this was a very successful and hugely enjoyable days racing helped in no small part by the OODs "there's your course get on with it" attitude. The next and final event of the Crewsaver UK Series is the Inlands at Datchet on 27,28 October.