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Britain to host 2010 Laser World regattas
RYA @ Tue Jun 30 08:03:00 2009
Paul Goodison, Laser class 2008 Olympic champion
Credit Richard Langdon/Skandia Team GBR
Two separate venues are set to benefit from hosting these world class events. The Scottish Sailing Institute at Largs Sailing Club will welcome some 500 sailors, including aspiring 2012 hopefuls for the Laser Radial Women’s World Championships from 7-14 July 2010, with the Laser Radial Men’s and Youth Worlds to follow from 18-25 July.
Meanwhile, Hayling Island Sailing Club will see budding Olympic Champions contest the Laser (Standard) Senior and Junior World Championships from 27 August-5 September 2010, with the Laser Masters Worlds from 11-19 September welcoming sailors in four age categories from 35 years and upwards.
“The RYA is both delighted and excited to be staging these major events,” said RYA Racing Manager John Derbyshire. “These regattas will not only provide high quality racing opportunities so close to home for our British sailors, but also give us the opportunity to increase the profile of sailing during a crucial period for the development of the sport.”
RYA Competitions Manager David Campbell-James, commented: “Both locations offer ideal sailing conditions and shore facilities, and we’re looking forward to having the opportunity to showcase what world class sailing venues we have throughout the UK.
“The staging of these events will also generate further legacy benefits for sailing in terms of the development of race teams, volunteers and other event personnel.”
The Laser World Championships will be organised by the RYA with investment from UK Sport via their National Lottery-funded World Class Events Programme. The Laser Radial events at Largs will receive additional support from Event Scotland, sportScotland, North Ayrshire Council and Scottish Enterprise.
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RYA Spring Series final blown off
RYA @ Mon May 18 08:50:00 2009
Conditions across Hayling Bay and the Chichester Harbour entrance proved too difficult for racing, and with winds gusting in excess of 30 knots, race officials decided to cancel the event on safety grounds.
The 2009 Spring Series winners are therefore determined from the first event, held at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy in March.
Hannah Mills and Katrina Hughes were crowned winners of the 470 women’s event, with double Olympic silver medallist Nick Rogers and new crew Pom Green taking the 470 men’s title.
Athens bronze medallist Nick Dempsey and 2008 Youth European silver medallist Ali Masters win the RS:X 9.5 and 8.5 windsurfing events.
Giles Scott took the Finn class crown, while Paul Brotherton and Stuart Bithell clinched the 49er series victory over Skandia Team GBR duo John Pink and Rick Peacock.
Compulsory for all Skandia Team GBR Development and Transitional squad members, this second leg of the RYA Olympic Classes Spring Series was the final qualifier for international grants and for most classes it represented the last chance to get up the ladder and snap up help towards the key championships this summer.
“It’s disappointing to have had the final event of the Series blown off, but with low tide in the harbour the only option was the bay and with gust of up to 35 knots it would have been a little bit too punchy of the race officers to have sent the boats out in those conditions,” said RYA Olympic Development Squad Manager Barrie Edgington.
“The RYA Olympic Classes Spring Series continues to provide hard-fought early-season domestic competition for our top talents and weekend warriors alike. For anyone keen to test themselves again the best, this autumn’s RYA Olympic Classes National Ranking Series kicks off at the Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta (14- 19 September) followed by two further events at WPNSA on 3-4 October and 17-18 October.”
2009 RYA Olympic Classes Spring Series results
470 Women:
1) Hannah Mills / Katrina Hughes
2) Penny Clark / Saskia Clark
3) Sophie Weguelin / Sophie Ainsworth
470 Men:
1) Nick Rogers / Pom Green
2) Neil Marsden / Ian Dobson
3) Ben Saxton / David Kohler
Finn:
1) Giles Scott
2) Mark Andrews
3) Andrew Mills
RS:X 9.5 (Men)
1) Nick Dempsey
2) Elliot Carney
3) Richard Hamilton
RS:X 8.5 (Open)
1) Ali Masters
2) Bryony Shaw
3) Beth Williamson
49er
1) Paul Brotherton / Stuart Bithell
2) John Pink / Rick Peacock
3) Dylan Fletcher / Alain Sign -
Hayling set for RYA Spring Series finale
RYA @ Fri May 15 07:52:00 2009
Hannah Mills and Katrina Hughes, Junior World Champions in the 470 women’s class, took the series lead at the opening event at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) back in March, with double Olympic silver medallist Nick Rogers and new crew Pom Green taking pole position in the 470 men’s event heading into this weekend’s series finale.
Palma World Cup winner Giles Scott leads the Finn class Spring Series leaderboard ahead of Skandia Team GBR teammates Mark Andrews and Andrew Mills, while the 49er table is topped after the first event by Paul Brotherton – who coached Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson trio to Yngling Olympic gold – and crew Stuart Bithell.
Athens bronze medallist Nick Dempsey and 2008 Youth European silver medallist Ali Masters head the RS:X 9.5 and 8.5 events.
Compulsory for all Skandia Team GBR Development and Transition squad members the RYA Olympic Classes Spring Series not only provides experienced Olympic Classes sailors the opportunity for high-quality early season domestic racing, while also giving younger sailors the chance to step into Olympic class boats and compete against the nation’s best.
“The forecast is looking good for this weekend, so the stage is set for a gripping finale to this year’s Spring Series,” said RYA Olympic Development Squad Manager Barrie Edgington.
“This event marks the final qualifier for international grants and for most classes it represents the last chance to get up the ladder and snap up help towards the key championships this summer.
“No doubt the younger Olympic Classes talents will be looking to prove themselves on home waters against some of the more seasoned international campaigners, and with the grant and qualification places for 2009 international events up for grabs there’s all to play for.” -
Volkswagen Touareg Laser SB3 National Championships 2007
@ Tue Oct 2 12:40:00 2007
Glenn Bourke Wins the Volkswagen Touareg Laser SB3 National Championships 2007
On the final day of the Laser SB3 National Championships two races were completed in light airs before the third race was abandoned. Overall victory went to Glenn Bourke, Jeremy Troughton and Tony Kilby sailing Musto. Russell Peters (Tack Tick) won the first race of the day with Glenn Bourke close behind in second and Barry Parkin (Hullabaloo) in third. Race two saw Paul Brotherton cross the line first with Colin Simmonds second and Parkin taking third once again. Bourke was safely in sixth place, with nearest rival, Peters, in ninth.
With the third race abandoned, Bourke, Troughton and Kilby were crowned the 2007 Laser SB3 National Champions after a 14 race series that saw some spectacularly close racing over four days. Second was Russell Peters with Greg Wells and James Grant, who had lead after the second day when they won three of the four races. An OCS on the third day and then a couple of double digit results were enough to let the ever-consistent Bourke, back into the lead, which he held to the final race. In third overall was Badger Racing; Paul Lovejoy with Rob and Peter Greenhalgh and Sally Wilson, and fourth was Paul Brotherton with Bill Masterman and James Fawcett in Pants.
Long days on the water battling against the cold northerly and a strong ebbing tide to get back to the warmth of the HISC bar meant many of the fleet found the event exhausting. This didn’t stop them celebrating in the usual energetic style at the Saturday evening Championship Prize Giving and Dinner.
The SB3 Class Association President, Daniel Geoghegan, described the event as one of the highest-calibre regattas seen on the SB3 circuit to date. He thanked Volkswagen Touareg for their generous sponsorship throughout the season. Dave Cheyne was given a special trophy for his commitment and superb work for the class over the years. Laser Direct Event Support were highlighted for doing a fantastic job, in particular Ian Mills, putting in long hours to ensure everyone’s boats were in top shape.
Prizes were awarded for the SB3 Grand Prix Series, which comprised of four events during the season:
1st Place: Palava – Geoff Carveth
2nd Place: Team Touareg – Craig Burlton
3rd Place: Champagne Blonde – Daniel Geoghegan
On winning the Laser SB3 UK National Championships for the second time, Glenn Bourke thanked Hayling Island Sailing Club for their friendly welcome, giving a special mention to the PRO Paul Carpenter, his team of volunteers and the protest committee for their professional running of a brilliant series. “We had a fantastic battle with Russell and his guys on Tack Tick, I lost count of how many wins they had. I am very pleased to have won it and couldn’t have done so without my crew JT and Tony, who did a great job both at Cowes and here.”
