Laser Nationals
30/01/09 08:03 Filed in: January
24th to 27th January 2009
The 2009 Laser Nationals at New Plymouth have to rate very highly. A top venue, an exceptionally well-organised NYC team both on the water (blue ocean water, sunshine, a race committee that got the racing underway and wind from 11 to 25 knots) and off the water (200+ dinners on Sunday night, plenty of helpful support staff and storage for the 131 Lasers).
Master sailors numbered over 60 and were split into twostarts, half the sailors sailing the Standard rig and the balance sailing Radial rig Lasers.
I arrived to find great camaraderie between fellow yachtsmen from a great array of provincial centres. From Port Ohope Barry Cutfield proudly wore his lucky Ngaroto Sailing Club cap. Kent Copplestone now a sailor from the Manawatu club and past visitor on many occasions to Ngaroto; Kent is still in the open fleet and has done very well in recent times. Ian, the “Canon” Wallace now sailing under the Panmure Lagoon banner looked fit, filled with enthusiasm and ready to make the most of the regatta. Ken Atchison from the Hamilton Yacht Club rounded off our “regulars”. Molly, Sam and Simon Meech who have all sailed at Ngaroto (when living at Pirongia) were competing in the Youth Radial and Standard rig Laser Master fleet respectively.
Good sailing winds arrived on time each day, capped off with a 20 to 25 knot blow and waves to match on the forth day. Imagine on a reach surfing down a wave and straight onto the next, so fast at times that the 20 plus knot wind was not enough to fill the sail, the speed down the wave matching the wind. And like that for the whole leg. Exciting; I can assure all. Down wind somewhat frightening at times!
For me sailing in the Grand Master Standard rig fleet I placed 3rd after Bob Blakey (1st) and Ian Wallace (2nd). Bob had the ability to sail well in all conditions (I managed to finish ahead of him in two races), Ian handled the windy conditions on day four better than I who had some swimming experience in the Tasman, and was excited to take over second place.
Ken had a first place in a race on day three; Barry took second place in the same race. Sam Meech took first place in the Youth Radial fleet!
Full results should be on the Laser web site soon.
Ross Wrenn
The 2009 Laser Nationals at New Plymouth have to rate very highly. A top venue, an exceptionally well-organised NYC team both on the water (blue ocean water, sunshine, a race committee that got the racing underway and wind from 11 to 25 knots) and off the water (200+ dinners on Sunday night, plenty of helpful support staff and storage for the 131 Lasers).
Master sailors numbered over 60 and were split into twostarts, half the sailors sailing the Standard rig and the balance sailing Radial rig Lasers.
I arrived to find great camaraderie between fellow yachtsmen from a great array of provincial centres. From Port Ohope Barry Cutfield proudly wore his lucky Ngaroto Sailing Club cap. Kent Copplestone now a sailor from the Manawatu club and past visitor on many occasions to Ngaroto; Kent is still in the open fleet and has done very well in recent times. Ian, the “Canon” Wallace now sailing under the Panmure Lagoon banner looked fit, filled with enthusiasm and ready to make the most of the regatta. Ken Atchison from the Hamilton Yacht Club rounded off our “regulars”. Molly, Sam and Simon Meech who have all sailed at Ngaroto (when living at Pirongia) were competing in the Youth Radial and Standard rig Laser Master fleet respectively.
Good sailing winds arrived on time each day, capped off with a 20 to 25 knot blow and waves to match on the forth day. Imagine on a reach surfing down a wave and straight onto the next, so fast at times that the 20 plus knot wind was not enough to fill the sail, the speed down the wave matching the wind. And like that for the whole leg. Exciting; I can assure all. Down wind somewhat frightening at times!
For me sailing in the Grand Master Standard rig fleet I placed 3rd after Bob Blakey (1st) and Ian Wallace (2nd). Bob had the ability to sail well in all conditions (I managed to finish ahead of him in two races), Ian handled the windy conditions on day four better than I who had some swimming experience in the Tasman, and was excited to take over second place.
Ken had a first place in a race on day three; Barry took second place in the same race. Sam Meech took first place in the Youth Radial fleet!
Full results should be on the Laser web site soon.
Ross Wrenn