'HARKEN' UK Laser National Championships
Friday, 17 th August – Final Day

The championship has enjoyed good breezes all week, sometimes too much, but today the wind had moderated sufficiently to allow everyone to race in Weymouth Bay. The Standard & Laser 4.7 fleets only needed to sail one race to complete their schedule. It is funny how the same small digit can have two completely different connotations. Mark Powell had a comfortable six point lead over Nick Thompson in the full rig but things were much closer in the 4.7s. Only six points separated the first six boats in this fleet. So there was a lot of pressure on these young helms to hold their nerve.

P.R.O. Lars Ekstrom got the Standards away with no black flags and it was Dan Ward (Frensham Pond) who ended the week in the best possible way by taking the final winning gun from Michael Sims (Carsington Lake) with Mark Powell 3 rd . Nick Thompson stayed 2 nd overall, discarding his 11 th place in the final race. Mark posted a very creditable scoreline with four race wins and no results below 8 th . Neil Bermingham had the dubious honour of being the only 4.7 to suffer a black flag on their start. Henry Lloyd-Williams won his 2 nd successive race to edge out Aaron Smith, again 2 nd in the race, for the overall title. Cameron Douglas finished 3 rd and, but for his 30 th place in Race 4, could have been much closer to the top of the leaderboard. Anna Carpenter finished 4 th in this race and was 3 rd overall and first girl.

The Radials had sailed two races on Thursday in their Gold, Silver & Bronze fleets and they needed to sail another two today to decide the titles. In the Gold start Steve Cockerill, World Radial champion Ben Paton, local sailor Jon Emmett & David Jessop had opened up a good lead on the first lady, Penny Clark in 5 th . Patrick Liddicoat led the Silvers by 19 points and would have to have a disastrous race to lose the title but the next four helms were only points apart. The Bronze title was between Keith Watts & Harry Harding.

On the day Steve Cockerill was unstoppable. He won both the Gold races. And whilst Ben Paton & Jon Emmett finished 2 nd & 3 rd respectively in the afternoon race their chances had already gone. Jon Emmett was adjudged OCS in the first race and Ben Paton was not going well and did not finish. David Jessop & Penny Clark took the minor places from this race. Overall Cockerill posted a perfect score of eight wins to take the title. In the morning race for the Silver fleet Clare Chapple, who was in contention, was one of four helms that got black-flagged. It was new names at the front. Oskar Caneborg won with Melissa Addy 2 nd and George Hand 3 rd . It was girl power for the final race. Clare Chapple made amends for her earlier mistake and took the gun with Patrick Liddicoat squeezing home 2 nd ahead of Tiffany Jane Brien. In the Bronzes Ali Hales, who had sailed consistently all week, ended the final day on even terms with the overall winner, Keith Watts. Ali won the morning race with Lauren Wilkie 2 nd and Keith 3 rd . In the final race Keith re-asserted his domination of the fleet by winning, Milea Ashton came 2 nd ahead of Ali. This gave Keith the title from Harry Harding with Lauren 3 rd overall.

The championship prize giving was held in the main hanger at the Weymouth Centre and most boats were away by the early evening leaving the Academy to rest awhile before their next major event. Thanks go to Harken for sponsoring the championship, Ken Falcon & Lars Ekstrom for acting as Principal Race Officers, all the safety boat crews, Dot Beadsworth and her ladies for all the administration, Rosie Julian and everyone at the Centre and, finally, the Navy for creating the harbour and God for creating the Bay and making the whole place such a beautiful place to sail.

A full championship report, with all the main prize winners, will be published in the UK Laser magazine, GYBE, due with the members at the beginning of September.

A library of images is available to view at www.eddiemaysphotography.com

For further information please contact EDDIE MAYS on 02380 402194 or 07766 568150

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'HARKEN' UK Laser National Championships
Thursday, 16th August – Day 5

This is the day when Weymouth harbour came into it's own. With 20 kts of Westerly breeze coming over the Chesil Bank two full size championship courses were laid inside the harbour. The Standards & Laser 4.7s raced in the Northeast quadrant and the Radials used the area towards Portland Bill. Initially the Standards' gybe mark was set a touch close to the Radials starting area but once that had been readjusted then the two sets of boats co-existed without any interference.

Wednesday evening had seen the final qualifying races in the Radials and the fleet was now divided into Gold, Silver & Bronze fleets. Race 1 and the Gold fleet had a General Recall. The restart was clean, with a couple of exceptions, and most of the fleet headed off on port tack towards the Bill. Steve Cockerill built a useful lead by the top mark and extended it on the fast reach to the gybe mark. Ben Paton chased hard but could make no impression and Jon Emmett led the rest of the fleet home. The Silver fleet got away first time and racing was extremely close at the front but Chris Jones managed to reach the line first ahead of the Patricks, Liddicoat & Radcliffe, in 2nd & 3rd respectively. In contrast the Bronze fleet having started cleanly found the gybe mark much more of a challenge and several helms had a brief swimming lesson. The speed of recovery seems to be getting faster! Keith Watts established a large gap on the rest of the fleet to recover his first win of the week.

By the time the boats were ready for their second race the wind had back slightly and gained in strength. The Gold fleet was again over keen and had to be recalled. Steve Cockerill was probably quite glad, as he had been buried by the fleet trying a port tack, pin end start. Yet again the fleet got away properly on the second attempt and the racing was very close at the front. Cockerill, Emmett, Paton & David Jessop swapped places for the first two laps before Emmett managed to break away on the final beat. Cockerill beat Paton to the line and now holds a 2-point lead going into the final day. Patrick Liddicoat improved his standing in the Silver fleet by taking the afternoon race ahead of Clare Chapple. Robert Claridge added a 3rd place to his 4th from the morning race and is tied on 91-points with Tiffany Jane Brien but it is Neil Crossouard, who has sailed consistently all week who is in 3rd place overall. In the Bronze fleet Keith Watts had to give best to Harry Harding and these two now have a 10-point lead over the others.

On the other course it was a case of the same faces at the front in the Standards. Mark Powell took the first race ahead of Nick Thompson with Dan Ward (Frensham Pond) 3rd. Dan then bit his first bullet of the week with Mike Sims (Carsington) 2nd but, ominously for the rest, Mark Powell in 3rd. Robert Godwin finished 4th in both races and is 3rd overall behind Mark & Nick. The 4.7 fleet is turning out to be most intriguing. Cameron Douglas (West Kirby) won the morning race, his third win of the week, but was then black-flagged in the afternoon, his 2nd. So at present he has a scoreline that reads; BFG, 2, 1, 30, 1, 1, BFG. If he can keep behind the line at the start on Friday he could still feature on the podium. The fleet is led by Rory Jones, Aaron Smith & Henry Lloyd-Williams, who won the last race of the day.

The championship finishes tomorrow but no fleet is decided and the wind should be lighter, which may favour the smaller helms, or not. It is all to play for.

Images from Thursday's racing will be sent shortly. For further information please contact EDDIE MAYS on 02380 402194 or 07766 568150

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'HARKEN' UK Laser National Championships: Day 4
Wednesday, 15 th August

The recent gales, that had decimated the Fastnet fleet, were slow to clear the Portland area and so the Race Officers made the decision to race everyone inside the harbour. The Standard fleet was the first to be sent afloat and they sailed two races during the morning. It was a double whammy for Hayling Island members in both races. Mark Powell won and Robert Godwin followed him home both times. Nick Thompson (Royal Lymington), the Monday night leader, managed to come 4 th in each race and maintains 3 rd place overall. These three have broken away from the chasing pack and with two days' racing to go it will be interesting to see if anyone else can make sufficient ground to challenge for the title.

Once the Standards were safely ashore, only two broken masts, the Radials were released from the boat park. They have completed two races, the results are not yet compiled, to the backdrop of a Red Arrows display. With conditions moderating as the early evening approaches the Laser 4.7s are currently afloat and racing. The results from both fleets will be on-line as soon as they are available. The Radial fleet will now be separated into Gold & Silver fleets for the final two days and Paton, Cockerill, Emmett, Jessop & Penny Clarke will be racing head-to-head for the overall title.

For further details please contact EDDIE MAYS, 02380 402194 / 07766 568150 or by email eddie@eddiemays.com

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'HARKEN' UK Laser National Championships
13 August 2007

Days 2 & 3

On Monday the wind was blowing over the Chesil Bank from about 250 degs and at about 7 kts. This allowed the Race Officers to complete a full schedule of races. The 91 strong Standard fleet and the 49 Laser 4.7s were taken out into the Bay and the start line was laid under Osmington Mills, almost as far from the Sailing Academy as it is possible to go. The trapezoidal course was set and racing got underway at 11:45. The black flag was used all day and it certainly cut down the number of boats that transgressed, although not completely.

In the first Standard start Ireland's Ben Lynch (Bessington) took a real flyer at the pin end of the line and crossed everyone by some way. He was pegged back up the first beat but finished a creditable 14 th . With the tide setting clockwise round Weymouth bay most helms took the long port tack haul in towards the shore and in general it paid as the wind slowly backed towards 230 degs during the day. Mark Powell (Hayling Island) took the winning gun, with Dyfig Mons (Red Wharf) ahead of Sunday's winner Nick Thompson (Royal Lymington). The first start of the 2 nd race was subject to a General Recall and when the fleet did get away on the 2 nd attempt Nick Thompson was one of a handful of boats that was black flagged. That was a shame as he led all the way round the course. However, as a discard is allowed with three races completed, he leads the overall table. Hampshire's Max Holloway (Mudeford) won from Royal Ulster's James Esprey and Dan Belben (Stokes Bay).

The 4.7 fleet showed good start line discipline and got away cleanly both times. Olly Porter, another Royal Lymington young blood, just won ahead of Cameron Douglas (West Kirby) with Rory Jones (Barnt Green) 3 rd . Both the winner and the runner up had been black flagged yesterday and had obviously learnt their lesson. Cameron then went one better and won the afternoon race with (yet again) Royal Lymington's Henry Lloyd-Williams 2 nd and Cornwall's very consistent James Grant (Restronguet) 3 rd . Cameron holds a narrow overnight lead but will have to be very careful with his starting technique.

The Radial fleet raced inside the harbour and UKLA Chairman & PRO Ken Falcon managed to fit in three races for all three flights, thereby getting slightly ahead of the game. After two days of racing Ben Paton (Royal Lymington) has a perfect scoreline with four victories. Steve Cockerill (Stokes Bay) has three wins and a 2 nd place to count. Jon Emmett (Weir Wood) has recovered from his neck injury, or is being incredibly brave, and counts four 2 nd places. There are double victories for both Penny Clarke (Stokes Bay), top Lady, and David Jessop (Grafham Water). The qualifying stages of this fleet are due to end on Wednesday, leaving the last two days for the Gold, Silver & Bronze fleet races.

The gales that have been expected for the last few days have arrived at Weymouth and all racing has been abandoned for today. The prediction is that this weather system will have passed by tomorrow morning and racing is expected to be on as scheduled.

Images from Monday's racing will be sent by separate email immediately after this transmission

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'HARKEN' UK LASER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
12 August 2007
Nearly 300 Laser sailors have descended on the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy for this year's UK National championships, sponsored by Harken. With numbers up in each of the three categories over last year's entries and recent good results by UK sailors in various international regattas expectations are running high that the week will achieve a very high standard of competition.

With 144 Radials taking part this fleet has been divided into three flights for the first four days of racing. There were race wins for the men's Radial World champion Ben Paton (Royal Lymington), World Masters' champion Steve Cockerill (Stokes Bay) and David Jessop (Grafham Water) in today's single race. In the 91 strong Standard fleet ex-ISAF World champion Nick Thompson (Royal Lymington) drew first blood and amongst the youngsters sailing the Laser 4.7 rig Richard Keates (Parkstone) heads the overnight table.

The championships last until Friday with two races scheduled for each day. The full results can be found on the UKLA website at www.laser.org.uk .

Editorial Note: Copyright Images will be sent as soon as they are available

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The Velocitek UK Cherub and Moth National Championships
26 July 2007
Lucy and Will Lee took top honours on the podium in the 2007 Cherub National Championships finishing on a very impressive 8 points after 9 races. Second place went to Tom and Matthew Kiddle, with Iain Christie and Tom Vian finishing in third. In the Moth Nationals, first place went to Jason Belben, closely followed by two WPNSA boats Adam May and Sam Pascoe.
Strong winds of 20-25 knots, with gusts over 30 mean that unfortunately racing on the final two days of the Nationals was abandoned, however the fleets enjoyed four days on the water in winds of 8-15 knots and plenty of sunshine earlier in the week.
For more detailed reports please visit the Moth and Cherub Class websites.
Results

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The Velocitek UK Cherub and Moth National Championships
23 July 2007
A more relaxed day for the Moths and Cherubs with the Moths sailing only one race in a super 12-15 knot breeze and sunshine. The Cherubs had a lay day, although many took advantage of the 15-18 knot breeze for a practice sail in the afternoon, while the Moths ran a foil clinic for newcomers to the Class and some of the Cherub sailors.

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The Velocitek UK Cherub and Moth National Championships
22 July 2007
Now in a position to discard a second place, Lucy and Will Lee won another three races today in the Cherub fleet giving them a 26 point lead on a fantasic score of 8 points after 9 races. In the Moth Championships the top three placings are still very tight with Stokes Bay sailor Jason Belben leading the way, closely pursued by WPNSA sailors Adam May and Sam Pascoe in second and thurd respectively. An earlier 11am start is scheduled for the Moths tomorrow with only one race planned, whilst the Cherubs take a lay day.

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The Velocitek UK Cherub and Moth National Championships
20 July 2007
The Velocitek Moth Nationals got off to a flying start with all but two of the 20 boats on hydrofoils. Competition looks set to be tight for the six day Championships with the top three boats taking the top three places in all three races today. In the 24 strong Cherub fleet, Lucy and Will Lee head up the leaderboard having won all three of their races. Both fleets sailed in Portland Harbour with a light 8 knot start bulding steadily to 10-12 knots for the first two races, and dropping again for the final race of the day. Three races are scheduled for tomorrow with a 1pm start.

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The WPNSA Dorset Schools Sailing Regatta
7 July 2007

Over the past 6 - 10 weeks a number of 13 - 16 year old students have been learning to sail, or improving their skills over a series of evening courses with Sail Laser.

Today was the culmination of teaching, resulting in a very windy regatta!! The Regatta was sponsored by Howard Holdings, The Chesil Trust and Sail Laser, who together funded the majority of the cost, allowing each student to compete for just £5!

The event began somewhat wildly, in winds reaching Force 6 (23knots)! After a change of course, and a slight drop in wind strength, the racing got underway! Teams of two from various local schools (Thomas Hardye's, All Saints, Wey Valley, Budmouth, Sir Johns Colfox and Royal Manor) were battling it out against the other teams from their own schools as well as the other schools.

Over a total of 4 races, showing strong competition, the lead changed many times - the beginners regularly beating the more advanced sailors! The most consistent sailors were one of the teams from All Saints School, who won every race!

In a fierce fight to the finish, the winners were:

1st Giles Piggott and Harry Williams (All Saints School)
2nd Ellie Pritchard and Kezia Locke (Sir Johns Colfox School)
3rd Sam Crabb and Ed Sadler (Thomas Hardye's School)

I would like to say a big thank you to all those who took part, Howard Holdings and The Chesil Trust for providing funds, John Tweed for handing out the prizes, Jock and Alun for driving safety boats and all the teachers for bringing their teams!

I would also like to stress how well the teams of sailors did. Many had not sailed for longer than 12 hours, and it was the first regatta for the majority.

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RS800 & 18ft Skiff
1 July 2007
20-25 knots of south-westerly breeze and plenty of sunshine greeted the RS800 fleet for their second day's racing. The near 30 boat fleet got underway just about on time at 10:30am completing two races in two hours. By 12:30 an average wind speed of over 25 knots, with gusts exceeding 30 had crept in, with many boats capsizing. It was therefore decided to send the 800s ashore and wait to see if the breeze let up for the 18ft Skiffs.
Unfortunately an hour later there was no sign of any change and the decision was made to abandon racing for the day.
For a full report, please visit the RS and 18ft Skiff websites.
Results
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RS800 & 18ft Skiff
30 June 2007
With Portland Harbour shrouded in mist, the 800s started an hour behind schedule. However, once the mist had cleared, a consistent 12-14 knot south/ south-westerly provided some great racing. Three races were completed within as many hours before the 18ft Skiffs were released. After a successful first race, the breeze picked up enough for most of the fleet to find the big rigs slightly challenging! With plenty of swimming and the breeze showing no sign of letting up, it was decided to send the boats in after two races. Three races are scheduled for both fleets tomorrow.
Results
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WPNSA Regatta
9 - 10 June 2007
The final day of the annual WPNSA Regatta saw light but more stable winds of 5-10 knots. Both the Europes and Devon Yawls made the event their National Championships. In the Europe Class it was Chris Gill that took top place on the podium on an impressive score of 8 points. Both second and third were only four points behind, with James Eynon just ahead of Gareth Williams on countback.
Ed WIlliams Hawkes and Shane Buckley took the Devon Yawls National crown where only 3 points split the top three finishers. Mike and Simon Bennett finished in second, closely followed by Tim Petitt and Tony Calcutt.
Winners in the Wanderer Class were Gavin Barr and Mike Skipper, just one point ahead of Mike Hamilton and David Oats. Philip and Jill Meadowcroft took third.
This regatta is specifically aimed at fleets of up to 30 boats. If your Class would be interested in taking part for 2008, please email Rosie Julian for further details.

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