2022 RC Laser Nationals – Time to Get Organised!
Author: Beth
Congratulations Peter Burton – 2022 NSW Champion
Well, we have sailed the 2022 RC Laser State Championships.
It was a great day because we have now emerged from the restrictions of the last few years.
It was a great day because we had interstate and intrastate sailors with us. We welcomed Peter Burton FTRYC and Peter Yates PLRMYC for the day.
It was a great day because.… it was just a great day.
The wind… ahhh yes, …. The wind…. We arrived and set up our boats, looking at the water and wind… It think we were salivating for some strong racing… a nice westerly – and up and down course in front of the deck… sun… what more could anyone want.
We lined up for the first race, and it all went to dust. The wind fell away, and the race was shortened to one lap. And that began the tale of the day. From then on, Race Officer Paul Martin set some interesting courses for us to sail. Technically not necessarily correct, but it allowed us to continue with our sailing.
The wind moved around, you might say; from south west to north east, and with all the north west sectors between.
I think we had a selection of all the variances of the wind, from dead calm to nose diving with our A sails. A couple of us changed to B’s when the wind was up, but it immediately died once the next race had started, so that was a forgone conclusion. Downwind finishes, upwind short race to the windward mark.. all the fun stuff; but in the end we got a result. We got in 15 races, when I was thinking we would be lucky to get half the number.
As usual, with that number of races, the cream rises to the top.
At the lunch break, Peter Burton was well in control; but Phil Stevenson and Graham Brown were close enough to bother him. However the juggling of positions for the lower places was where the real competition was; and in the final four races big changes of places took place. A great example of it not being over til it ends.
15 races – a lot of what-ifs arise if we had got another race in to get another race drop… ah well, that is what it is all about.
It was a pleasure to have our Foundation Member Paul Derwent on deck to present the medals for the top placings. Paul has been having health problems for a while now; and great to see him there again.
Race results:
2022 NSW RC Laser State Champion – Peter Burton
2nd place – Phil Stevenson
3rd Place – Graham Brown
Well sailed!
It is interesting to see how the top placings were spread through the fleet. Many of the lower placegetters scored highly at different times, but couldn’t maintain consistency to take full advantage of those placings. But that is a sign of good things to come.
There was a good tussle for the 4 to 9 placings.
I commend everyone who took part, and hope the experience will see you take on other similar events that will come up from now on.
The day would not have been the success that it was without the help of Graham, Brian, Jill and Brendon. On behalf of those who took part, thank you for your efforts.
Cheers,
Noel McPherson
RCL#65
Portland Observer Report on the VIC RC Laser Title
NSW RC Laser State Title – NoR Posted
To be held at Dobroyd Aquatic Club on 21st August
Mark the date, it’s sure to be another top event at DAC
The Notice of Race and Entry Form are now available on the ARYA web-site – see link below
https://radiosailing.org.au/index.php?arcade=event&eventid=2251
Congratulations Scott Fleming
VIC RC Laser State Championship @ Portland
Jun 20, 2022
A nice sunny day greeted us at Portland for the first day of sailing of the 2022 VIC RC Laser State Championship held over the weekend of 18-19 June. A rigs were the sail of choice for day one and the course was set up nicely by the boat guy and that’s how it stayed for the rest of the day.
Peter Lee started the day on a flyer rounding the top mark ahead of the fleet in the first 2 races, only to lose control at the bottom mark both times and ending with a 4th and a 3rd. Last years Victorian champ Brad Hein was doing it tough with a boat malfunction, while Scott Fleming had to wait until race 5 before being beaten. Peter’s luck got worse from race 3 and repairs were necessary stealing parts from Janet’s boat. Another person down on luck for the day was Gary Hein who placed second in Adelaide earlier this year.
On a positive note Adrian was sailing consistently and newbie Luke Donovan was showing some promise.
The results at the end of day one showed Scott leading, with Mario second and Adrian rounding up third place.
Day two turned out being a ‘more typical Victorian winters day’, it was cold, windy and the water was choppy.
C rigs were the preferred sail for most of the day while some skippers opted for D rigs towards the end.
The day started well for Scott and Brad in the tricky conditions while for most of the fleet the cold and the first mark would be their undoing.
Robert Lees was the first casualty with major repairs needed and retired for the day along with Des Hein. Neville Hank also retired in race 17 after a excellent 2nd in race 16.
Mario and Adrian were doing there best to see who could fall the furthest for the day. Terry and Grant had a side bet on while the guy leading the event was sailing off in the distance.
At the end of the day it was Scott Fleming who dominated the event finishing first on 22 points, Brad Hein second on 50 points and Mario Gulic rounding out the podium, third on 64 points. (Pictured above L-R Hein, Fleming, Gulic).
Congratulations to all winners and a big thank you to the boat guy, the PRO Tim, the Scorers Jayne and Dianne, Scott and the Portland Yacht Club.
A quick snap of all the competitors, well done everyone.
Of course there were some antics too….. maybe someone felt they earnt the trophy more?????
The above is a transcript from the ARYA web-site – detailed results are available in the full report via the link below