South Pacific Laser Masters RQYS 7-10 July

The Queensland Laser Association’s South Pacific Laser Masters is always a great event. This year was no exception with the event run 7-10 July attracting 57 entries including visiting sailors from NZ, Vic, NSW and Samoa. The sailors all enjoyed the great sailing water at Morton Bay and the fabulous facilities of the RQYS at Manly.
 

Conditions were typical for a winter regatta with crisp sunny winter skies. Day 1 Friday opened with a bang as a fresh westerly gusting to 27 knots provided exhilarating rides downwind and significant damage to numerous boats and a number of skippers.
 

Lighter and more challenging conditions followed on Saturday while Sunday provided near-perfect sailing conditions with a variable 10 to 15 knot westerly. Monday dawned with clear blue skies and a light westerly that faded to a picturesque glass out.
 

The ILCA 6 fleet of 37 boats was of very high quality with three world masters champions competing. Nevertheless it was dominated by RQYS Apprentice Ben Franklin who had a clean scorecard apart from a start line indiscretion costing him maximum points.

It was a very close battle behind Ben for the next three places. In the end it was current World GGM Champion Jeff Loosemore from MHASC Sydney in second overall and only one point ahead of BSS coach Dan Blight.
 

In the 18 boat ILCA 7 fleet local RQYS GM Andrew Stransky claimed a narrow win over highly ranked Master Matt Faddy VYC NSW followed by QLA president Michael Wilson who was the 1st GGM.
 

Regatta sponsors NB Sailsports continued their generous support and all competitors were in with a chance to win some of the over $1500 worth of ICA gear including a new sail and other ILCA gear.
 

The full write up of the event is Here and all the results are Here.
 

There is some good footage of Day 1 sailing on the YouTube video Here.