Medway RC Laser Club Winter Series - Day 10
by Jamie Blair 15 Mar 19:02 UTC
15 March 2026
We lost two weekends to weather and absenteeism even today was in the balance. The forecasted wind showed SSW 15 - 20 knots.
We were blessed with blue sky and sunshine and 15 kts. Nine took to the water - the majority were on D rig but Jamie Blair (51) was rushed after a rescue and put the C rig to work. The course set positioned the start and leeward mark close to the Cafe shore (the café was open too - the first time this year). The disturbed water from the reflective waves and the gusty wind played havoc for all.
Race 1 saw Adrian Tomlinson (30) take the win and Tim Townsend (45) who at the start crossed the fleet on port a second. The C rigger wasn't blown away and scored a 4th behind Tony Alexander (04) and Jon Moon (84).
Needless to say the C rig was set aside and Jamie was able to use the conditions (now gusting to 25 knots) and took three wins before the break after 7 races. Jamie led overall by one point from Tim, then Adrian. Mixed results from the fleet meant that places jumped or fell like snakes and ladders. Lucian Stone (75) put in improving results as the morning progressed, climbing the ladder to 5th by the break.
Jon and Tony in the usual scrap along with Mark Penny (03) who would have been further up if finishing the last leg went according to plan!
After the break and finding more wind (now gusting over 30 knots) and with a direction that shifted back and forth through 15 degrees racing got even more challenging. On one start the frequency of boat contact in the first 10 seconds saw most of the fleet doing penalty turns.
Jamie carried on as the first half with three wins from the 5 races and using a discard for race 10 when the rivals Jamie and Tim tangled requiring a swift trip ashore but the fleet was gone!
For the last race Tim and Adrian were on equal points for second overall so it should have been a match race to the end. Lucian was closest to them but too far away to climb higher. Adrian retired giving Tim second overall and with Jamie out in front by seven points. Lucian's fourth confirmed followed by Jon, Mark and Tony.
The next meet is 22nd March. Usual start at 10.00
Day 10 Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | R10 | R11 | R12 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 51 | Jamie Blair | ‑5 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | ‑7 | 2 | 1 | 18 |
| 2nd | 45 | Tim Towsend | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | ‑8 | ‑8 | 3 | 25 |
| 3rd | 30 | Adrian Tomlinson | 1 | 2 | 6 | 4 | ‑7 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 4 | (DNF) | 28 |
| 4th | 75 | Lucian Stone | ‑7 | ‑7 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 37 |
| 5th | 84 | Jon Moon | 4 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 6 | ‑7 | 6 | ‑7 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 42 |
| 6th | 3 | Mark Penny | ‑8 | 4 | 2 | (DNF) | 3 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 44 |
| 7th | 4 | Tony Alexander | 3 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 6 | ‑8 | 6 | (DNC) | 5 | 5 | 7 | 55 |
| 8th | 32 | Roger Gibb | 6 | ‑8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 5 | ‑9 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 64 |
| 9th | 76 | Bob Woolford | (DNC) | 9 | 9 | (DNF) | DNC | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 88 |