GRSC Laser

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https://www.sail-world.com/news/281364/Huge-Summer-of-ILCA-class-Regattas-in-Australia

Huge Summer of ILCA class Regattas in Australia There is a big program of events in Australia across the 2024-2025 summer for the ILCA (Laser) dinghy class with large fleets being entered for ILCA4, 6 and 7 divisions across Youth, Open and Masters age groups.

The 2023 Oceania & Australian Masters Championships took place from 10-13 March at the Bay Sailing Centre Port Stephens, attracting 147 boats and sailors from all Australian mainland states and territories, as well as GGM Helio Araujo from Rio de Janeiro Yacht Club.

GRSC members participated in the event, competing in the ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 fleets. In the ILCA 6 fleet, David Early placed 3rd in the Grand Master category, Ian Young placed 8th in the Grand Master category, Tim Neale placed 7th in the Master category, Martin Wilson placed 22nd in the Grand Master category, Nick Coates placed 12th in the Master category, Ken Roper placed 33rd in the Grand Master category, Boudy de Haas placed 10th in the Great Grand Master category, David Robson placed 13th in the Great Grand Master category, David Cradock placed 17th in the Great Grand Master category, and Mark Johnston placed 22nd in the Great Grand Master category.

In the ILCA 7 fleet, Jeff Loosemore placed 3rd in the Great Grand Master category, and Bruce Hilleard placed 14th in the Grand Master category.

The ILCA 4s saw keen competition, and the organizers hope to promote this rig for Masters and Youth age categories in the future. Many of the sailors had previously competed in the ILCA World Masters Championships in Pattaya, Thailand in February.

The weather during the event varied, with some days being character-building, while others presented excellent sailing conditions. On the first day of racing, ENE winds blowing at 22 knots, gusting to 29 knots, and challenging waves made it difficult for many sailors to complete the course. However, most of the ILCA 7s sailors made it look easy. Day 2 saw ideal conditions from ENE, but the run-out tide presented a challenge, resulting in several OCSs and Black Flags. On Day 3, the breeze shifted to the SW, resulting in excellent sailing conditions, especially for sailors skilled in picking the numerous shifts. Day 4 presented steadier 16-knot southerly winds and very good sailing conditions.

The fleet winners included Apprentice Master Matt Blakey from Royal Brighton YC in the ILCA 7s, GM Mark Tonner-Joyce from Royal Geelong YC in the ILCA 6 Green (Masters & GMs), GGM Michael Pitt from Royal Queensland YS in the ILCA 6 Yellow (GGM and Legends), and Sandy Kiernan from Northbridge SC in the ILCA 4s.

Congratulations to all the sailors who participated and represented GRSC with such great results!

Full resultshttps://www.auslasernationals.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Final-Results-Oceania-Australian-Masters-2023_V2.pdf

Jeff Loosemore from GRSC wins Laser Masters World Championships

Although Hurricane Blas threatened to steal the breeze, the wind gods prevailed on Banderas Bay for the final day of the ILCA 6 Masters World Championships. With the hurricane moving west, two more perfect races were completed under sunny skies and warm temperatures in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico. The 10–12 knot wind put the onus on boat speed and tactics for all the divisions. Downwind technique was also critical – those able to catch the waves most efficiently could make big gains on the fleet.

Australia’s Jeff Loosemore added to his incredibly consistent event to win the Great Grand Masters division by a comfortable 25 points over former Olympic gold medalist, Miguel Noguer of Spain.

The final day brought a shake-up in the Legends division, for sailors over the age of 75. American Bill Symes who was unstoppable throughout the week, was caught over early in the first race of the day allowing fellow American Chris Boome to take the win and move into a tie for first overall heading into the last race. In the final race, Boome managed to sneak ahead of Symes and clinch the championship by one point over Symes.

Allan Clark of Canada closed out a hard-fought victory in the very competitive Grand Masters division, with the overall championship decided in just the final race. After a capsize on the first leg, Clark’s victory appeared in jeopardy, but Australian David Luketima’s fourth place in the final race was not enough to close the difference for the win.

Great Britain’s sailors Ian Gregory and Jon Emmett closed out the championship in style, winning the Masters and Apprentice Masters divisions by comfortable margins.

For full results, see here: sailwave.com/results/vyc/ILCA6Masters2022.htm

For those that dont get Jeff Loosemore's email here is a quick update.

We are having a blast racing the hot old guys in the ILCA 7.

I had some some stuff ups in the first half of the regatta with giving away some podiums due to some mishaps and mistakes. Now requiring ice, duct tape, Panadol for injured ribs.

The breeze had been gradually dropping each day. It returned yesterday for some nice downwind rides.

Nick is looking forward to his next adventures in Mexico and Alaska and he has taken up knitting to while away the time ( pic attached)

ilca race reports
http://www.laserinternational.org/blog/2022/06/05/2022-ilca-7-masters-world-championships-day-4/
Regatta website photos & results
https://2022ilca7masters.ilca-worlds.org/

All Photos page
https://jldigitalmedia.net/f748097197

Yesterdays photos
https://jldigitalmedia.net/p95982909

For those looking to do a little winter training a video from Norway ....... enjoy

Extreme laser sailing | Norwegian Norwegian laser sailersclip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F7pF_AplPsMusic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgIqecROs5M

~ GRSC Laser Race Report 23 April 2022 and Season Wrap Up ~

Yesterday was a really fine way to end the season…..the Como Cup was run in that rarity of autumn sunshine with a really nice light breeze all the way up the river……..congrats to the podium of Dave Early, Mark Hooper and Marty Wilson. Marty even used a Laser sail.

Now for the wrapup of what is without doubt the worst sailing season on record…….sooo many races lost to Covid, constant rain, no wind, too much wind…….the noreaster was a thing of memory. But we still had many days of fabulous racing………………..plus GRSC dominated the State Radial Masters with Barry Crocker taking it out followed by Jeff Loosemore and Dave Early with Bruce Hilleard not far behind….great result.

Standard Club Championship
1st Brian Ferguson
2nd Bruce Hilleard
3rd Steve Bolton
4th Tim Neale

Radial Club Championship
1st Dave Early
2nd Jeff Loosemore
3rd Ian Young
4th Per Gustafsson
5th David Cradock

Sprint Series
1st Dave Early
2nd Bruce Hilleard
3rd Brian Ferguson
4th Ian Young
5th Steve Bolton

Season Pointscore
1st Per Gustafsson
2nd Ian Young
2nd Dave Early
4th David Cradock
5th Dave Robson

Spring Pointscore
1st Per Gustafsson
2nd Ian Young
2nd Dave Early
4th Nick Coates
5th Jeff Myers

Autumn Pointscore
1st Ian Young
1st Dave Early
3rd David Cradock
4th Dave Robson
5th Per Gustafsson

Como Cup
1st Dave Early
2nd Mark Hooper
3rd Martin Wilson
4th Nick Coates
5th Jeff Loosemore

Most Improved
Per Gustafsson (45 second handicap reduction)

So that’s it for this season’s racing, the presentation will be 28th May. We will have the AGM sometime in August and we will advise that closer to the date. And I hope to see you all back in September for the 2022/23 season which we just know will be better conditions than this one.