Hansom result

Dan Griffey reports on the Laser SB3 racing out of Seaview

The new boat in short course, one design, sportsboat racing turned out another stunner as the Laser SB3 fleet hit Seaview YC for the first round of the Henri Lloyd sponsored Midsummer champs, and the second round of the Henri Lloyd 2003 circuit. Seaview is a small town at the east end of the Isle of Wight, with a reputation for holding classic events for the one design classes.

The Laser SB3 fleet gathered in numbers for this event which promised a building breeze and plenty of sunshine. Eighteen boats travelled from the Hamble to arrive at Seaview in time for Saturday morning's start.

Six races spread over the weekend provided every ingredient needed to test the fleet. Saturday - light winds and strong tide. Sunday - planing conditions and rolling swell.

With this the first event where the majority of owners, many with excellent track records in dinghies and keelboats, have lined up against each other a mixed bag of results was had all round.

Saturday and Bandit were first out of the blocks, slipping out of the tide and away to hang on to the weekends first bullet. Leighton King sailing the Laser works boat followed suit in Race 2.

A general recall followed for the final start of the day, as the tide turned to sweep the fleet towards the line. Keen to see the fleet away the black flag came into play leading to the DSQ (first back to the bar) for two of the fleet. Mike Ewart Smith sailed on, with local boy Colin Simonds close behind.

The Sunday morning bright sun and moderate breeze was welcomed by the whole fleet - perfect to blow away the Henri Lloyd apres-sail rum punch!

John Hanson took charge of the changed conditions and posted the results he needed to win the regatta, with Michael Ewart Smith suffering Spinnaker damage in race 2 keeping him from being a title contender going into the last race.

The day's races were far from incident free. Race 1, lap 1 and the top mark was substantially removed from the race course as Let's be Free became entangled with the tackle, in the absence of an upwind mark the race continued with the fleet sailing to the spreader mark, only for Fatima Blush to suffer the same fate.

The SB3 Henri Lloyd Midsummer event continues this weekend at Royal Southern Yacht Club, Hamble, and promises for an even bigger turnout. John Hanson and his Turbo Services crew enter the event as favorites for the series, but will have the whole fleet looking for the prize places. The 2003 Henri Lloyd SB3 circuit concludes with the National Championships in Falmouth, 12/13/14 September.

Results:
1 Turbo Services International (John Hanson)
2 Sublime (Mike Ewart Smith)
3 Lasersailing.com (Leighton King)
4 whirl'n Dervish (Colin Simmonds)
5 Full Chat/Hyde Sails (Mark Richards)