Cork Reports

From the winning 1720 Babbelaas Bach; Farr 40s; designer Mark Mills on Thunder's win; the Laser SB3s

With the achievements at last month's Round the Island Race on the score sheet, a trio of Laser SB3s made the trip to the Royal Cork Yacht Club, Crosshaven with a reputation to uphold. Making their first appearance at Ford Cork Week, the Laser SB3s were grouped in the eleven strong Mixed Sportsboat Fleet, racing under the RYA/RORC Sportsboat rule.

Conditions for the event started as they meant to go on, with the wind never exceeding 10 knots and sunshine every day. Despite this being its first light wind event, the Laser SB3 crews quickly adapted to the conditions, with SB3 3010 helmed by Tim Coventry, posting a win in the first race of the event.

Throughout the week, places changed between the three SB3s and the rest of the Mixed Sportsboat Fleet. Wednesday's racing brought the lightest winds of the week and a full 180 degree wind shift in the first race forced an early finish on the surprisingly kite-able upwind leg. Laser SB3 3009, steered by top Laser 4000 helm Hugh Watson, capitalised on some excellent crew work to take two firsts and move into the overnight leader's spot.

Into the final day and there was all to play for with at least four boats eyeing the top of the Mixed Sportsboat podium. A decisive one-two for Laser SB3s 3009 and 3010 in Race 9 meant that in the final race of the series, Laser SB3 3009 needed to finish ahead of Rattle and Hum, the Projection 762 that had prospered in Thursday's choppier conditions.

For the final race the race officer set the fleet off 20 minutes behind the Hunter 707s, giving rise to some crowded mark roundings as the faster boats quickly caught up with the 707s.

It came down to the line - literally. After close racing on all the legs, the short beat to the finish meant that 'Rattle and Hum' and the two leading SB3s crossed the line within just three seconds of each other. Taking the handicap into account this gave SB3 3009 sailed by Hugh Watson, Dan Griffey and Richard Gibson the much needed position ahead of 'Rattle and Hum', thus taking the championship by 2.5 points.

Taking a 1st and 3rd at Ford Cork Week, its first international regatta, has left the Laser SB3 as the fleet to watch for Skandia Life Cowes Week 2002. A fleet of ten SB3s will congregate at the GBR Challenge base in Cowes on August 3rd for a week of close, exhilarating racing.