Laser 4000 Sailing Dinghy Class Association

Laser 4000 European Championships at Lake Garda

admin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:47:52 +0000

Laser 4000 sailors from around Europe descended on Lake Garda for a scorching championship in 35 degree heat. The thirty boats revelled in four days of ‘classic Garda’, the famous Ora wind not dampened by the temperature.

The fleet comprised seasoned regulars to the Laser 4000 fleet as well as several new members including Stewart Patience and Jenny Persson who were consistently seen to be grinning from ear to ear on the blast around the course. The most distant attendees joined us from New York to be reunited with their boat for the first competition appearance in a few years.

The nervous tension in the boat park on the first day was soon blown away by the Ora as Martin Boyde and Toby Linnell demonstrated superior pace in the race to the cliffs following the start. Al Hodgson and Sue Ogg had the most successful first day and led over night with a barrage of competitors hot on their heels.

Day 2 saw Martin and Toby put in 3 top races with Chris Gould and Penny Hooper suddenly changing gear to rise up the leader board where they would stay for the remainder of the regatta. The 4000 fleet descended on Torbole for a mid-regatta meal with a full cohort of Italians and French joining the British contingent. Once again sailing proved the international language despite some colourful Italian translations.

The competition throughout the regatta was incredibly close with 5 different boats winning races. Standard Garda tactics were not sufficient to get to the front with several shifts on day 3 making good layline calls to the windward mark absolutely essential. Martin and Toby, after another consistent day, realised that there was a chance to win the regatta with a day to spare. Despite the enthusiastic jostling which accompanied the start of Race 9 they kept their cool to clinch 3^rd and with it the 2010 European title.

Day 4 saw an intense battle for the remaining podium spots and in the end Chris and Penny clinched 2^nd with Al and Sue in 3^rd. The medal ceremony saw three union flags rising behind the podium accompanied by an enthusiastic rendition of the national anthem by one of the medal winning crews (best that they remain nameless)! Another unforgettable Europeans at arguably one of the best sailing venues in the world.

1^st Martin Boyd/ Toby Linnell (GBR) (15 points)

2^nd Chris Gould/ Penny Hooper (GBR) (19 points)

3^rd Alistair Hodgson/ Sue Ogg (GBR) (22 points)

4^th Mark Richards/ CC Williamson (GBR) (31 points)

5^th John Warburton/ James Clapham (GBR) (33 points)

Lymington 3rd-4th July

neilh — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 18:21:25 +0000

The penultimate event in this year’s series is fast approaching. The NoR is here and the entry form is here.

Registration from 9:00, Briefing at 10:30 and first start not before 12:00. LTSC>

Free Beer in Beer 15th-16th May

neilh — Thu, 06 May 2010 16:47:02 +0000

As you’ll remember from the Nationals last year, aside from being a great place to sail, it’s difficult to beat the location of Beer SC’s club-house for a drink. The club are putting on dinner in the evening, and to get things flowing the association will be providing some free beer or wine to members. Of course the racing will be great too – more details here and UK series results so far here.

Newcomer’s Trophy 2010

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:02:32 +0000

For 2010, the Laser 4000 CA is organising specific prizes for the best newcomers who take part in the national circuit. Together with Sailboats.co.uk the class has come up with prize packages for the winners and the runners-up.

1st Place: 1x Magic Marine Harness, 2x Magic Marine Rash Vests and £100 Cash.
2nd Place: 1x Magic Marine Tool Bag and £50 Cash.

The Newcomers’ Trophy is open to crews that haven’t previously sailed in three or more Laser 4000 opens before the start of 2010.

The trophy will be awarded based on your overall position in the first 5 events of the UK series and the first day of the Nationals. Smallest number of points wins (1st overall = 1 point etc.). Your top 3 overall results count towards the trophy (i.e. 3 discards).

So the events, of which three to count, are:

Brightlingsea: 24 April – 25 April
Beer: 15 May – 16 May
Grafham: 12 June – 13 June
Lymington: 12 June – 13 June
Super Cup, Bury Lake: 14 August – 15 August
Day 1 Nationals Plymouth: 11 September

The prizes will be awarded during the Nationals at Mayflower SC in Plymouth 11th – 14th September, and running results posted on the website as the season progresses.

And don’t forget the class training event, for newcomers and those with plenty of time in the boat is at Grafham 20th – 21st March!

2010 Sail Prices

neilh — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:25:39 +0000

Sailboats will continue to offer discounts to class association members in 2010. More details here

Training Event 2010

martinb — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:01:56 +0000

Bit of an update on plans for the 2010 training event. We want to provide a training event that will benefit the whole class, from those new to the fleet, through to those right at the front of the fleet.

With that in mind, we’ve lined PETE BARTON to coach the fleet that weekend. Anyone who attends is bound to get a boost for the forthcoming season, as usual the event will be at Grafham. What would be good to get a view from the class members is some feedback, along the lines of:

Do you think it’s a good idea?

Are you likely to attend?

Any ideas for what would make it good for you?

I’ll post this in the forum to, so people can post comments

2010 Calendar Published

neilh — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:29:03 +0000

Our 2010 event calendar is now published, glorius Garda for the Europeans and Mayflower SC for the Nationals plus the usual suspects and a few more for the UK and Scottish series events.

[More here >>]

Race Report – Hayling Island 26th-27th Sept

admin — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:43:13 +0000

The 2009-2010 Laser 4000 series kicked off at Hayling Island where competitors were met with blazing sunshine and light winds.

The first race belonged to Doug and Hilary Baker, pursued by John Reynolds and Fran Howell with Mark Cotgrove and Ian Gotts coming in third. A win in the second race for Mark and Ian placed them first overnight, but with several boats in contention.

Sunday’s first race started in shifty conditions and when the eventual thermal breeze reversed the racecourse many at the back of the fleet were left reaching for their discard. Mark and Ian however read the conditions right, as did John Warburton and James Clapham, coming in first and second respectively.

The sea breeze filled in somewhat and race four became the scene of intense downwind battles. On the final run Mark and Ian were followed closely by James and Erica Bradbury with Huw Powell and Kevin Barnard in third. While the leaders were distracted John and Fran gybed at the perfect moment leaping from fourth place to finish first, thus securing some of Hayling’s fine glassware.

Competition for the final race was between the Bakers and the Bradburys, with Erica and James pulling ahead at the end of the first lap to record their first race win in the Laser 4000.

The event was marked by good judgement from the race committee in the light conditions and close, tactical racing throughout.

1sr Mark Cotgrove Ian Gotts 9pts
2nd John Reynolds Fran Howell 11pts
3rd James Bradbury Erica Bradbury 13pts
4th Doug Baker Hilary Baker 17pts
5th John Warburton James Clapham 18pts
Full results on the HISC website.

2008/2009 Series Results

admin — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 07:06:27 +0000

National Laser 4000 2008/9 Series

Results After 5 Events

Overall

Sailed:5, Discards:1, To count:4, Entries:42, Scoring system:Appendix A
Rank	Class	SailNo	Helm	Crew	Club	Hayling Island 28/9/08	Rutland 19/10/08	Queen Mary 15/3/09	Weymouth 08/6/09	Lymington 16/8/09	Total	Nett
1st	Laser 4000	4597	Huw Powell	Kevin Barnard	Red Wharf Bay	7.00	1.00	1.00	2.00	1.00	12.00	5.00
2nd	Laser 4000	4518	Alistair Hodgson	Susan Ogg	Upton Warren	4.00	3.00	2.00	5.00	4.00	18.00	13.00
3rd	Laser 4000	4536	Hugh Watson	Susanna Bickford/Emma McEwan		2.00	2.00	43.00 DNC	6.00	7.00	60.00	17.00
4th	Laser 4000	4682	John Reynolds	Fran Howell	Grafham Water	6.00	9.00	3.00	3.00	9.00	30.00	21.00
5th	Laser 4000	4516	Chris Gould	Bonnie Moody		43.00 DNC	6.00	5.00	7.00	3.00	64.00	21.00
6th	Laser 4000	4600	Adam Ballard	Gareth Lincoln / Richard Warden/Toby Linnell/Emma White	Rayal Navy	12.00	17.00	7.00	13.00	22.00	71.00	49.00
7th	Laser 4000	4137	James Bradbury	Erica Bradbury	Chew Valley Lake	43.00 DNC	15.00	8.00	12.00	16.00	94.00	51.00
8th	Laser 4000	4271	John Warburton	James Clapham	Cardiff Bay	43.00 DNC	4.00	43.00 DNC	4.00	8.00	102.00	59.00
9th	Laser 4000	4625	Jody Warner	Emma Warner		11.00	43.00 DNC	9.00	43.00 DNC	11.50	117.50	74.50
10th	Laser 4000	4492	Martin Boyde	Ed Wilton		5.00	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	2.00	136.00	93.00
11th	Laser 4000	4223	Chris Webber	Jim Baldwin		3.00	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	6.00	138.00	95.00
12th	Laser 4000	4568	David Merchant	Alayne Seymour	Grafham Water	1.00	12.00	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	142.00	99.00
13th	Laser 4000	4625	John Modral	Emma Warner		43.00 DNC	5.00	43.00 DNC	8.00	43.00 DNC	142.00	99.00
14th	Laser 4000	4502	Toby Linnell	Gareth Lincoln		43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	11.00	5.00	145.00	102.00
15th	Laser 4000	4448	Duncan Reany	Andy Watkins	Lancing	43.00 DNC	11.00	6.00	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	146.00	103.00
16th	Laser 4000	4606	Ian Raynolds	Adam Bushett/Andy Watkins	Netley	43.00 DNC	8.00	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	13.00	150.00	107.00
17th	Laser 4000	4266	Geoff Holden	Bernice Holden	Locks	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	10.00	11.50	150.50	107.50
18th	Laser 4000	4383	Ella Mitchell	James Morland	Warsash	10.00	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	14.00	43.00 DNC	153.00	110.00
19th	Laser 4000	4308	Brian Allen	Claire	Brightlingsea	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	16.00	14.00	159.00	116.00
20th	Laser 4000	4343	Neil Heffernan	Charlotte Heffernan	Queen Mary	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	15.00	15.00	159.00	116.00
21st	Laser 4000	4199	JP Marks	Richard Guy	Grafham Water	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	17.00	18.00	164.00	121.00
22nd	Laser 4000	4038	Gareth Smith	Richard Warden		43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	18.00	19.00	166.00	123.00
23rd	Laser 4000	4497	Gus Cameron	Jane Frayne	Chew Valley Lake	43.00 DNC	20.00	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	20.00	169.00	126.00
24th	Laser 4000	4611	Mark Cotgrove	Ian	Hailing Island	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	1.00	43.00 DNC	173.00	130.00
25th	Laser 4000	4506	John Wilson	Liam Stacpoole	Restronguet	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	4.00	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	176.00	133.00
26th	Laser 4000	4217	Liam Pike	John Ellingham	Lakeside	43.00 DNC	7.00	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	179.00	136.00
27th	Laser 4000	4563	Peter Flanders	Nick Hoyle		8.00	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	180.00	137.00
28th	Laser 4000	4300	Timothy Paul		RYA	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	9.00	43.00 DNC	181.00	138.00
29th	Laser 4000	4709	Peter Taylor	Cheryl Taylor	Dalgety Bay	9.00	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	181.00	138.00
30th	Laser 4000	4358	G Hartson	Rachel	Franks	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	10.00	182.00	139.00
31st	Laser 4000	4424	Andrew Wilson	Tom Wilson	Datchet	43.00 DNC	10.00	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	182.00	139.00
32nd	Laser 4000	4094	Adrian Heath	Caroline Morgan		43.00 DNC	13.00	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	185.00	142.00
33rd	Laser 4000	4658	Mark Baskeruille	Mark Hessex	Weston	13.00	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	185.00	142.00
34th	Laser 4000	4519	Phil Elford	Nick Creak	Netley	43.00 DNC	14.00	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	186.00	143.00
35th	Laser 4000	4343	Fran Gifford	Neil Heffernan	Queen Mary	43.00 DNC	16.00	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	188.00	145.00
36th	Laser 4000		Dan Kilsby	Bart Bridgen	Jebel Ali	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	17.00	189.00	146.00
37th	Laser 4000	4255	Sam Caslin	Charlotte Powell	Dabchick	43.00 DNC	18.00	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	190.00	147.00
38th	Laser 4000	4445	Richard Mayo		Lymington Town	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	19.00	43.00 DNC	191.00	148.00
39th	Laser 4000	4099	Jack Grogan	Jess Gozzett	Dabchick	43.00 DNC	19.00	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	191.00	148.00
40th	Laser 4000	4273	Geoff Shaw		Roadford	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	20.00	43.00 DNC	192.00	149.00
41st	Laser 4000	4317	Matt Burnett	Steve Pearce	Felpham	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	21.00	193.00	150.00
42nd	Laser 4000	4556	Tony Brookes	John Osbourne		43.00 DNC	21.00	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	43.00 DNC	193.00	150.00

Scoring codes used

Code	Description	Points
DNC	Did not come to the starting area	43

2009 Laser 4000 National Championships

admin — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 07:01:47 +0000

The Laser 4000s descended on Beer SC for their National Championships 12 – 15 September.

With the market providing cheap used boats and a new deal drastically reducing the price of new sails, the usual suspects have been added to by an influx of new faces from all over the country. The fleet were particularly pleased to welcome the Howlett and the Wilson/Ace teams all the way from Loch Lomond.

The big shore break on first day presented the beach team and the crews with an interesting challenge of getting off and back on to the shingle beach! Out on the race course places were there to be made (and lost) getting in synch with the swells and the locally generated waves. Huw Powell & Kevin Barnard got to grips with the conditions quickest scoring 1,2,1 over the first 3 races. Mark Cotgrove & Ian Gotts won Race 2 and were second at the end of the day.

Day 2 kicked off with less sea but also significantly less breeze. David Marchant & Alayne Seymour hit the front in Race 4 and never looked back with Iain Reynolds & Adam Brushett showing some great speed to finish second. After a general recall in Race 5, the breeze switched off for 90 minutes but the race officer held his nerve and kept the fleet afloat. A shifty northerly breeze duly filled in to provide some complicated racing. Huw & Kevin made the most of it to win with Mark & Ian second, and Nick Alp & Jo Morrison storming through to take third. Race 6 was won by Chris Gould & Bonnie Moody.

Day 3 started breezy and got even windier. Chris Webber & James Baldwin found their pace and won Race 7. Huw & Kevin overhauled Iain & Adam to win Race 8 which put them in the right place for a grandstand view of Mark Cotgrove flouting convention by being towed across the finish line rather than being in the boat! By Race 9 the breeze was full on with the fleet raking back their rigs to maintain speed and control. The downwind legs took no time at all and will live long in the memory! Chris & James overtook Huw & Kevin on the penultimate beat to take their second bullet of the day. Adrian Heath & Carolyn Morgan proved that attendance at the Series events through the year pays dividends and raced round without capsizing to pick up an awesome 10th place.

With gusts up to 30 knots, racing was abandoned on Day 4 so Huw Powell & Kevin Barnard were crowned 2009 National Champions. Sarah Harston, crewed by Rachel Franks, won the Lady Helm prize and Chris Gould & Bonnie Moody were awarded the Tim Atkinson Memorial Trophy for winning Race 6. Iain Reynolds & Adam Brushett won the raffle for the brand new gennaker generously provided by sailboats.co.uk

Thanks for to all at Beer SC for a great event – the fleet were overwhelmed by the club’s hospitality and hope to return.

RESULTS

Place	Sail no.	Helm	Crew	Sailing Club	Points
1	4597	Huw Powell	Kevin Barnard	Red Wharf Bay	11
2	4	Mark Cotgrove	Ian Gotts		15
3	4223	Chris Webber	James Baldwin	OLYC	19
4	4516	Chris Gould	Bonnie Moody	Oxford Uni	27
5	4502	Toby Linnell	Gareth Lincoln	Northampton	46
6	4536	Hugh Watson	Susanna Bickford	Emsworth	49
7	4682	John Reynolds	Fran Howell	Grafham Water	49