The laser
fleet has started this year in the same vein as last year, going from strength
to strength and enjoying good close sailing and much competition throughout the
fleet. We have continued to have a good number of boats - regularly in excess
of ten - on Wednesday evenings and more and more starting to turn out on
Sundays. If only we all chose the same
Sunday as each other maybe we would have more on a regular basis!
This year’s variable winds have enabled the fleet to
enjoy some exciting sailing conditions which have often resulted in some
amusing situations especially, for example, where some of the more
“experienced” sailors have missed their toe straps or there have been various
exploits resulting in some unplanned visits to the water! More frequent examples of this situation is
where the rig has been travelling windward when the boat has capsized. Simple
you might think – just jump in and cross the boat quickly and stop it capsizing
on top of yourself. Unfortunately, more often than not, the wind gets
underneath the sail as the boat comes up and throws the boat at the
helmsmen. This can result in a serious
injury. To avoid these injuries the 'San
Francisco roll', is undertaken and has made
conversation over some post Wednesday beers particularly interesting! The 'San
Francisco roll’ is executed by the helmsmen hanging onto the centreboard and as
the wind gets under the sail, holding their breath and going underneath the
boat as it rights itself - a move which is unique to the laser and one that many
do not fancy undertaking! However it has safety benefits as it prevents
repeated capsizing, potential injury from the boat and does not exhaust the
helmsmen so much. The move is only recommended to be done by experienced
sailors who are competent and have practised the move in controlled conditions.
And as one of our experienced sailors has proved it can save time and ensure
the race is back on without losing too much to the competitors.
We have also seen much improvement in three
particular sailors this year with Alan Bennett, Darren Cheshire and Jason
Hughes all improving at a fast rate. In fact Jason has joined Steve Harper at
some of the ladder events where Steve, having won the Blithfield open is six overall after eight
rounds. This together with myself participating in the Salcombe Sailing Regatta
this summer the Draycote laser fleet is once again being represented on the
circuit. With this increase in activity within the fleet we are always happy
for new people or youngsters finishing youth sailing or present members who
have not been to the club for a while to come along and try race sailing and
with many of the fleet happy to show you the ropes and hone your skills feel
free to contact me.
William Whittaker
Laser Fleet
William@wamanagement.co.uk
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