2, 9, 16 & 23 February All the Sundays
Datchet Winter Warm Up http://www.dwsc.co.uk
A popular Winter Open Series. 12 Laser2's competed last year. Fleet Captain
Mike Clapp writes: 'Come and join us for four Sundays of close racing with
the largest Laser 2 fleet in the South East of England. Datchet Water
Sailing Club is on the Queen Mother Reservoir 3 miles west of the M4/M25
junction. The 475 acre reservoir allows us to run full Olympic Triangle
courses whatever the wind direction. First start each Sunday is at 1035
with three races planned for every day. Separate morning and afternoon
series.'
5/6 April Blackwater SC http://www.blackwatersailingclub.co.uk/
Training event.
The last time the Laser2 Class Association visited Blackwater a very
enthusiastic fleet of Laser2s turned out for a very successful training
session. The aim is to hold this year's training in the Easter holidays to
make the most of those long school holidays! Not forgetting Blackwater SC's
new clubhouse too.
4/5 May Budworth SC http://www.budworthsc.org.uk/
The Season opener next year due to the late arrival of Easter. This is one
of the most picturesque events on the Laser2 circuit. This club is nestled
in the rolling Cheshire countryside. The hospitality is also some of the
best in the year with a great club and a great atmosphere, the very close
racing added to a good weekend. Starting later on the Saturday and being
held over the bank holiday also makes it an easy event to do in the long
weekend.
Webmaster's Update: The above dates are slightly wrong, the Budworth Open
is being held on May 3rd and 4th.
10/11 May Datchet SC Championship event 1. http://www.dwsc.co.uk/
Traditionally the season opener, Datchet is back at the beginning of the
calendar as the first Championships event of the series. Datchet is always
well attended, with excellent facilities and good race management by the
Laser2 master Peter Short.
21/22 June Pre-Nationals regatta at Lancing SC - Championship event 2.
http://www.lancingsc.co.uk/ This is always good for those who enjoy proper
sea sailing. The event will be a two day championship event with a Laser2
fleet start as part of the Lancing Leek festival. Lancing has a new club
house and this promises to be a good event at a nice new club. See the
pictures on their website.
5th-8th July National Championships - Royal Torbay YC, Devon.
Championship event 3. http://www.royaltorbayyc.org.uk/
The National Championship and Championship event 3 is a four day event in
2003. After the success of the 2002 Nationals, having been held over three
days and the fantastic social in South Wales a slightly extended event will
incorporate 9 or 10 Championship races with the possibility for a practice
and a crews race as well. The First weekend in July has been chosen to
encourage the University boats to compete as with last year. The Royal
Torbay YC is a club well experienced in holding National Championships an in
2002 they hosted the Melges National Championships, Laser Masters National
Championships, Enterprise National Championships and Cadet National
Championships. We will also be running a coaching session the day before the
championship starts.
10th - 15th August Hoorn, Netherlands. World Championships
http://www.royaltorbayyc.org.uk/
There has been a very strong UK and Irish interest in this event. Judging by
the number of Europeans coming to the UK to buy boats for this championship
there should be a very good turnout.
Early September or June Date To Be Announced Saltash
http://www.saltashsailingclub.co.uk/
Set in the beautiful Tamar Valley on the border of Devon and Cornwall this
friendly club offers excellent Laser2 competition in a wonderful setting.
Watch this space for a confirmed date.
20th/21st September Rutland SC. Inland Championships. Championships
event 4. http://www.rutlandsc.co.uk/
One of the largest manmade stretches of water in Europe provides one of the
best Championship events on the Laser2 calendar. This year Rutland hosts the
Laser2 Inland National Championships and with improvements complete on the
clubhouse this promises to be a good event. Access is easy from most parts
of the UK and I hope that this will attract the largest Laser2 fleet of the
year after the Nationals. On site accommodation also makes this a convenient
and easy weekend for all.
11th/12th October Weston SC. Southern Areas. Championship event 5
http://www.weston.org.uk/
The Southern Area Championships and one of the traditions of the Laser2
circuit. A usually reliable South Coast breeze and good race management
always make this event a closely fought affair. The social is always a good
event too and camping is easy at the club.
Late Oct Date To Be Announced Upper Thames Team Racing
http://www.utsc.org.uk/
The traditional end of season fun event is an excellent introduction to team
racing at the amazing Upper Thames SC. One of the oldest sailing clubs in
the UK, set on the banks of the River Thames in Buckinghamshire, between
Bourne End and Marlow with original clubhouse and much of the club
unchanged.
If any other clubs are keen to host an event please let me know, the sooner
the better. I hope that more people will be encouraged to come to these
events next year. With 40 boats at the Nationals this year, 2003 promises to
be a very good season.
Please contact me if you have any further queries of suggestions.
Simon Lomas-Clarke
UK Laser2 Class Sailing Secretary
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