Six brave competitors took part in this years Laser Open meeting at Clevedon SC comprising of four visitors and two local sailors, in the challenging westerly force 5 gusting 6 wind.
Race officer Ian Hotchkiss set an M shaped course in Clevedon bay which gave two beats, two exciting beam reaches with two gybe marks and a Broad reach back across the bay.
In the lead up to Race one Safety boat skipper Mike Batchelor and Crew Gary Buffery and Andy Summerell were kept busy dealing with multiple capsizes, but all the racers managed to stay upright for the start. John Ling from Bartley Sailing Club quickly established a good lead followed by local sailors Rhys Davies and Martin Gibson. At the end of the first lap Davies elected to tack round at the second gybe mark which allowed Gibson to move into second. Not far behind were Mike Dyer and Graham Royce from Bowmoor Sailing Club. On lap two Davies Suffered a broken toe strap and Tiller extension and was forced to retire. Ling won the race followed by Gibson Dyer and Royce.
In Race two Royce decided he’d had enough fun for one day and came ashore. Leaving the rest to battle it out in the now increasing Force 6 breeze. Once again Ling got off to a good start closely followed by Gibson and Dyer these positions remained unchanged for the rest of the race.
Dyer decided he’d had enough after Race two, which left Ling and Gibson to contest the final race. Ling again quickly established a good lead which he held to the finish.
Overall results
1st John Ling Bartley SC.
2nd Martin Gibson Clevedon SC.
3rd Mike Dyer Bowmoor SC.
John Ling enjoying the Clevedon Chop