RC Laser UK National Championships at Fleetwood Model Yacht Club

The weekend had already been booked for a Northern District event and the annual Barts Bash, so was an available date to freely use where other venues were struggling to host the RC Laser Nationals.

The forecast was looking pretty decent for the weekend. 7MPH for the Friday down the lake, picking up to a moderate breeze by Saturday and then dropping back down, with a touch of North in it by Sunday. We always like it coming from the West and saves many headaches for those that have gone to great lengths to plan such an event,

It wasn't going to be too hot, which makes it a bit more pleasant for those of us with a bit more insulation, and others must have booked last minute holidays to warmer climates as the enrolment list was looking pretty sparse. Even with the very low numbers it was a good field with some big names and you would have normally felt proud if you came in the top 15, but that's all we had.

The Friday was a free day for checking out your equipment and some valuable tuning tips from our Dave. Any that could get along to the lake and be free from work were able to have a nice relaxing day out and the weather was nice. The wind just right and up and down the lake for a couple of circuits in 'B' suit was just what the doctor ordered.

On to the Saturday and it was looking even better, that's if you like it blowing well. A few were chancing 'B' rigs again, but really it was down to the next size for most and we continued with our 'C' rigs throughout the day. We had visiting skippers from Scotland to join us in the afternoon and Tim from Wales, Adrian from down London way and John Armstrong from central England so a real good mix. Taco Faber had joined us from Holland and was making this a holiday by combining the DF95's Nationals a fortnight later for a dual event.

Shaun had immediately stamped his authority onto the race field and didn't have too much opposition. Tim, Derek and Dave were battling it out amongst themselves and just waiting for the odd chance of Shaun slipping up. Tim won race 2 and 3 so was now into prizes. Shaun had boat failure but only by race 6, where Dave came in for a couple of wins, then only to have boat failure himself for a race. A slightly later than normal lunch, but we just had to make the most of this great weather, because you don't know what the next day would bring.

With four minutes counting down for the boats to be on the water, some were caught out still nattering amongst themselves and then a last minute rush to the start line. A few were having to drive in turbo to catch the long gone fleet, but Dave didn't fair too badly to make up lost ground. The afternoon went pretty good and by the end of 14 complete races, five different skippers had each two wins to their names, showing it wasn't a one horse race.

Sunday was a no race day as the wind, what wind there was swung to the North and made it impossible to set a reasonable course being width ways in the very little breeze.

Derek would also like to thank all skippers on behalf of The Barts Bash charity for their great generosity in collecting together a magnificent grand total of £80 for the worthy cause. Well done lads.

Results:

1. Shaun Holbeche - 25
2. Tim Long - 31
3. Adian Tomlinson - 32
4. Dave Fowler - 36
5. Taco Faber - 46
6. John Armstrong - 80
7. Tony Wilson - 90
8. Derek Priestly - 93
9. Robert Wheeler - 94
10. Eric Austwick - 96
11. Alan Tickle - 142
12. Alan Smith - 146
13. Gordon Rae - 152
14. Bill Lees - 173