Medway RC Laser Club Winter Series - Day 6
by Jamie Blair 26 Jan 16:02 UTC
25 January 2026
The forecast wind said SE 11 to 20 knots. The SE was actually ESE and down at 11 knots. The majority of the six starters chose the B rig. Roger Gibb (32) was out to have the power to take the fleet apart with his A rig looking huge against the diminutive B rig. Not to be, the gusts allowed the B rig to dominate and stayed so until the break after eight races.
Tim continued as he left off last week with wins in races 1, 3, 4 and 5. Mark Penny (03) took race 2 allowing Mark to lead overall briefly but Tim's command of the start and getting clear air kept the fleet behind him. Jon Moon was keeping close to Tim and using his tried and tested tactic of taking the right side of the beat almost paid off on many occasions.
The shifty breeze where tacking up the middle of the course to ensure a close rounding of the windward mark did catch him and others out. Roger had converted to a B rig but still found the going tough.
Jamie Blair (51) after a dodgy start and an OCS or two started climbing up the results and by the break was up to second overall. At the break Tim, however, was six points ahead but with the wind softening to under 10 knots there was a change to A rig for the leaders. This proved to be decisive and Jamie renewed after coffee and cookies took four race wins, Tim one and Roger one (Roger with his A rig on again!) to complete the 15 race series.
By race 12 Tim's lead was down to two points but with his consistent sailing he kept his overall lead at the end.
Usual banter, some close encounters and OCSs to keep the day lively.
The next meet is 1st of February.
Day 6 Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | R10 | R11 | R12 | R13 | R14 | R15 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 45 | Tim Towsend | 1 | ‑5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | ‑5 | 3 | 22 |
| 2nd | 51 | Jamie Blair | ‑4 | 3 | ‑4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 24 |
| 3rd | 84 | Jon Moon | 3 | 2 | 2 | ‑4 | ‑5 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 33 |
| 4th | 3 | Mark Penny | 2 | 1 | ‑6 | 3 | 3 | ‑5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 48 |
| 5th | 32 | Roger Gibb | ‑6 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 6 | (DNC) | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 54 |
| 6th | 76 | Bob Woolford | 5 | ‑6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | (DNC) | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 72 |