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The Takapuna Sailing Centre Laser Icebreaker Regatta lived up to its name on Sunday 2 September as winds averaged 20 knots with regular gusts to 30 knots throughout the day.

 
Above Grand Master Ray Beale & Right Open Womens Champion Sara Winther 

These conditions provided a real test for those sailors who were brave enough to experience these early spring conditions.  There were 65 sailors across the Laser 4.7, Laser Radial and Laser Standard fleets, which was less than expected, as the wintry conditions kept many sailors at home.

Above Some of the guys from the Laser 4.7s fleet at Lunch, from Left Robert Pasco, Travis Dow (Champion), Chris Steele,
Daniel Jones, Nick Croft, Scott Tillet.

 The Laser 4.7 fleet sailed on the inner course with less seaway than the outer course but consequently had big winds shifts from the sheltering cliffs.  The Sailors had to use all the skills they had learnt at the previous 2 day training camp just to stay in the boats.  The 4.7s managed to get their 5 scheduled races completed with 3 in the morning and 2 after lunch. Travis Dow from Whangarei Cruising Club showed why he is the 2007 NZ National Champion in the Laser 4.7 with 3 wins in the Morning.  He was followed by the pack of Scott Tillet, Daniel Jones, Chris Steele, Sarah Thom and Robert Pasco all sitting on 12 to 14 Points.  Straight after lunch Travis had a 5th which gave some hope to the pack, but he won the last race to take the Title easily.  Chris Steele 2007 World Optimist Champion showed his sailing talent by improving over the Regatta.  Chris had first sailed in a Laser 4.7 the day before and remarked with a big smile on his face when sailing the 4.7 out to race after lunch “that it was the fastest he had ever gone in a sailboat!”  Chris had two 5th places in the first 2 races of the day but finished with three 2nds, to take 2nd place 1 point ahead of 1st Girl and 3rd overall Sarah Thom and 5 points ahead of 4th Robert Pasco.  Daniel Jones and Scott Tillet did not do as well in the afternoon and Nick Croft, another fast improving ex Opti sailor, had a good afternoon with 1st and 4th to move up to 6th overall.   The NZ Laser Association is pleased with the growth of the Laser 4.7 class and with 17 sailors taking part over the course of the Training camp & Regatta and will now provide support for a Team of 4.7 Sailors to go the Laser 4.7 Worlds in Croatia in August 2008.  The Association will also be arranging more 4.7 Regatta to help Travis Dow prepare for the 2007 Worlds in South Africa at the end of this year

Above Coming home after a long day and Right Phil Clark (Manly committee member)

The Laser Radials & Standard Rigs battled the full force of the wind and waves over long testing courses which led to a few sailors deciding that they wouldn’t be going out again after lunch and that only 4 races could be completed.  In the Standard Rigs Aaron Hume-Merry from Evans Bay in Wellington sailed well all day in winds that to him were just a Gentle Zephyr, while his softer mates from Auckland went home after lunch.  Aaron won 1st overall and 1st Youth.  Murray Thom proved that some sailors from Auckland have some backbone, and did very well in the conditions he loves, to take 2nd overall and 1st Master.  Andy Maloney from Kerikeri was 3rd overall and 2nd Youth.  Pete Thomas from South Africa also sailed very well to take 4th overall and 2nd Master with another Auckland sailor and long time servant of the NZ Laser Association Bob Blakey taking 5th overall and 1st Grand Master.

Above the cake celebrating the ISAF 100 year birthday and Left some sailors who decided to head home after lunch and missed the cake!

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