The weatherman said it was going to be hot with a high pollen count and that the only respite would be at the coast, which is exactly where the Laser 2000 and Laser 3000 had an open meeting at Minnis Bay SC on 12-13 July. The location was Minnis Bay Sailing Club on the North Kent coast between Herne Bay and Margate. Unfortunately the closure of the M25 left four of the travellers who had decided to come down on the Saturday morning fighting to make the start line in time.

The race officer, Mike Spiller, set a traditional windward/leeward course. A late start on Saturday afternoon with three races back to back resulted in the upwind leg with the tide and the down wind leg against the tide. So in a steady Force 2 the fleet took five minutes to reach the windward mark a further 15 minutes to return to the leeward mark. The tide kept the fleet together and there was some of the closest racing of the series. However it was the resident series champions Skip and Zoe Atkins who mastered the conditions to lead home in front of Chris and Helen Stubbs from Downs SC and Michael and Kial Doolin from Minnis Bay SC.

Saturday evening saw the fleet enjoying refreshments and much needed drink under the hospitality of Minnis Bay SC. Sunday was forecast to be even hotter and with a strengthening wind the fleet set off for an 1100 start. The fourth race was sailed upwind against the tide but in the Forece 3-4 the lap times were much faster. By the time of the sixth race the tide had turned and with a F4 against the tide the sea became choppy resulting in some very challenging conditions. With a display of outstanding sailing in both light and moderate winds Skip and Zoe Atkins won all six races in a fleet of 18 very competitive boats.

Overall Results

1st Skip and Zoe Atkins – Stone SC – 5 Points

2nd Chris and Helen Stubbs Downs SC – 11 Points

3rd Trevor and Caroline Bradley – Littelton SC – 19 Points

4th Helen and Andrew Philips – Cardiff Bay YC – 21 Points