The GUL and AUDI-sponsored Laser 5000 national championship which is taking place this week (25-31 August) at the Mayflower and Royal Corinthian Yacht Clubs in Plymouth has so far seen a wide variety of conditions.

Monday, the race officer attempted a race in a dying gradient breeze which had to be abandoned as the sea breeeze started to kick in. By the time the wind had settled at a gentle five knots, the fleet was so eager to get started that it took two general recalls, one under the black flag that resulted in four boats disqualified, before the fleet was off. Andy and Dave Richards (mStation) immediately showed their intentions by posting a convincing win over Andrew and Elizabeth Fairley and Mark Dicker and Malcolm Reed.

Race two was started in a dying sea breeze, a large shift favouring the right-hand side of the course saw Andy and Dave Richards and Nick Jones and Spencer Schlachter escape the rest of the fleet to finish first and second before the breeze totally died and left the rest of the fleet to drift in.

Day two saw near perfect conditions with bright sunshine, a Force 4-5 and a big rolling swell from the channel. Three races were raced with mStation posting a 1-2-1. Mark Emmet and Anthony Esse (Hermes/ Ronstan/Juice Plus) had a superb day to record a 2-1-3 to recover from an indifferent first day and bring some pressure to bear on the Richards Brothers. Another of the usual suspects at the front, Jamie Shelton and Graeme White (West Country Watersport/ Mylor Rigging) also had a good day with to post a 3-3-2.

Results (after five races)

1 mStation Andy and Dave Richards

2 Hermes/ Ronstan/Juice Plus Mark Emmet/ Anthony Esse

3 Andrew and Elizabeth Fairley

4 West Country Watersport/ Mylor Rigging Jamie Shelton and Graeme White

5 Nick Jones and Spencer Schlachter