Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

ILCA Northern Grand Prix at West Riding Sailing Club

by Guy Cokill 1 May 2024 05:44 UTC 27 April 2024
UKLA ILCA Northern Grand Prix at West Riding © Soeren Vonsild

It was a strange day at West Riding Sailing Club on Saturday 27th April. There was some wind for the ILCA (still Laser as far as I am concerned) Open Meeting for the first time in living memory, and Ian Jones didn't win it, although to be fair to Ian, he wasn't there! There was also the sight of 20 Lasers being re-assembled on the club lawn, for the first time in many years.

The first race got under way in a light to moderate cool North Easterly breeze, with only Radial sailor Lewis Bacon from Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club, straying over the line. WRSC sailor Tim Keighley had left nothing to chance, even buying a new boat, especially for the event. He saw an immediate return on his investment, as he rounded in the lead at the first mark, with fellow WRSC sailor, Hamish Gledhill in close pursuit and Paul Heath from Leigh and Lowton completing the top three. The order was maintained until the second beat on the second lap when Paul and Hamish caught a shift to leave Tim in 3rd. However by the end of the third lap Tim had regained the lead, which he held tn to the finish with Paul in second and Lewis fighting back impressively from the individual recall to take 3rd in his Radial ahead of Hamish.

The fleet adjourned to allow the athletes to restore their electrolytes with a nutritious lunch of Pie and Peas and prepare for the final two back-to-back races.

The second race got away cleanly despite a serious kafuffle at the pin end. Hamish emerged from the chaos in last place. Spurred on by the misfortune, he got the bit between his teeth and began to chase Tim down. Tim completed the first lap in the lead, with Leigh and Lowton's Stuart Belfield in second and Paul in third. Hamish had manged to move up through the fleet into fourth position. By the end of the second lap Hamish had moved into second behind Tim with the two WRSC sailors pulling a gap on the fleet. Hamish took the lead on the third lap and held on to the finish to cap a memorable come back. Tim was second and Lewis won his Radial battle with Jacob Bennett of Glossop Sailing Club to take another impressive third place.

With a single discard available, the third race was a shoot-out between Paul, Hamish and Tim for the overall win. The tension was increased by the first general recall of the day before the fleet got away at the second time of asking. Tim took his customary position at the head of the pack, completing the first lap ahead of Will Dyson of Delph SC, Paul, and Hamish. On the second lap Tim Paul and Hamish rounded the second leeward mark in close company. Hamish spotted a big shift to the right, tacking off, for what appeared to be a decisive move, only for the wind to fill in from the other side leaving him in a distant third at the end of the beat. Tim held on to the lead ahead of Paul for the rest of the race giving him the title with Paul and Hamish completing the podium in second and third respectively. The ever-consistent Lewis pipped Hamish to third place on handicap in the race, to take fourth overall and the prize for first Junior.

Prizes were distributed on the decking by WRSC Commodore and Race Officer, Soeren Vonsild, who thanked the visitors for supporting the event and contributing to a great day's sailing and Tim thanking his home club for organising the event.

The Open Meeting season is in full swing at WRSC with this event sandwiched between the successful NE Youth Travellers Regatta and the 2000 fleet visiting over the Early May Bank Holiday weekend for the first round of their Latitude Series.

Related Articles

Fishing: Patterning brown bass
Post-spawn through summer smallies Whitewater Fishing B.A.S.S. tournament pro, Alex Redwine, talks fishing the transition period Posted on 26 Jun
2025 Bahamas Fly-fishing Tournament Series
Anglers to compete across some of The Bahamas' top bonefishing spots The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation announced the launch of Bonefishing Tournament Series that will showcase diverse pristine flats across four islands - Grand Bahama, Andros, Eleuthera and the championship round will be held in Exuma Posted on 20 Jun
Mote leads seagrass restoration initiative
Florida legislature establishes the Seagrass Restoration Technology Development Initiative Seagrasses play a crucial role in the health and resilience of Florida's coastal ecosystems. They provide nursery habitats for keystone species and stabilize shorelines and sediments. Posted on 20 Jun
Maritimo M50 Flybridge & S60 Sedan Video
We speak to Maritimo's Neil McCabe & Phil Candler We talked to Neil McCabe, Maritimo's Design Office Manager, and Phil Candler, Maritimo's General Manager Operations, to find out more about the M50 Flybridge and S60 Sedan during the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. Posted on 17 Jun
“I'm living my dad's dream”
Carl made sure to provide young Kyle the chance to be a seasoned pond hopper Carl Cortiana is about to turn 70, but he still remembers the days four decades ago when he'd cast a practice plug across the living room floor and his toddler son, Kyle, now a highly accomplished Vexus pro on the MLF Toyota Series. Posted on 14 Jun
Stories From The Salt - Ep.6
Insights from PENN's top anglers Whether you're a passionate saltwater angler who eagerly dedicates every spare moment to being out on the water, or you simply enjoy watching the techniques and experiences of others, we invite you to anchor up and learn some valuable insights Posted on 14 Jun
Bulwarks and Bulldust – watch Episode Six
Episode Six is now live - Are boat shows still relevant? Episode Six - asks the question, 'Are boat shows still Relevant?' We also offer some thoughts on changes and updates. The final episode of Series One is now live Posted on 13 Jun
Scania, Viking showcase renewable diesel
Mack Attack shows outstanding efficiency without compromise in performance of Scania V8 Engines Scania, one of the world's leading manufacturers of engines, announced today the successful demonstration of the performance and viability of renewable marine diesel fuel in a Viking 48 Convertible powered by twin Scania 1,150 HP DI16-liter V8 engines. Posted on 10 Jun
Sportfishing industry applauds decision by NOAA
Elimination of proposed South Atlantic bottomfishing closure The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries withdrew the proposed bottomfishing closure from Amendment 59 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic. Posted on 10 Jun
Marine Auctions: June online auctions
Bidding to open on Friday 20th June The Bidding for the June Online Auction will commence on Thursday 20th June and will end on Thursday 26th June at 2pm AEST. Posted on 7 Jun
Palm Beach Motor YachtsMaritimo M75