Laser Masters sailors from around the bay and beyond descended on Fishing Bay Yacht Club for the 30^th Chesapeake Bay Laser Masters Championship for two days of racing in a variety of conditions.  Master Mike Schmidt from Magothy River Sailing Association emerged as the overall champion after 7 races beating Apprentice Master Keith Davids from Mission Bay Yacht Club by just a point.

On Saturday, mother nature delivered winds in the 18-22 knot range with gusts approaching 30 out of the west. While most of the sailors completed the first race, by the later races in the day attrition started to take place in the challenging conditions of the Piankatank River. Most of the fleet opted to sail radial rigs for the day under the rig swap rule that allows sailors to pick standard, radial or 4.7 rigs for each day’s wind conditions and still sail against each other.

Ryan Minth (C-VANE) from Houston Texas, David Schoene (Severn Sailing Association) and Mike Schmidt (MRSA) each had wins in the 3 races that were sailed on Saturday.

After racing on Saturday the sailors and race committee were treated to refreshments and a dinner of Alain Vincey’s pork Osso Buco.

Racing on Sunday saw much more moderate conditions ranging between 5 and 10 during the 4 races.  Keith Davids had the best finishes of the day posting 2-1-1-2, but couldn’t overcome the Apprentice handicap to get ahead of Mike Schmidt in the overall standings.  Ryan Minth and Ted Morgan also won races on Sunday.

Keith Davids (MBYC) 1^st Apprentice

Ted Morgan (SSA) 2^nd Apprentice

Mike Schmidt (MRSA) 1^st Master, 1^st Overall

David Schoene (SSA) 2^nd Master

Jacques Kerrest (PRSA) 1^st Grand Master

Alain Vincey (FBYC) 2^nd Grand Master

Newton Wattis (SCYC) 1^st Great Grand Master

Laser Masters sailors from around the bay and beyond descended on Fishing Bay Yacht Club for the 30^th Chesapeake Bay Laser Masters Championship for two days of racing in a variety of conditions.  Master Mike Schmidt from Magothy River Sailing Association emerged as the overall champion after 7 races beating Apprentice Master Keith Davids from Mission Bay Yacht Club by just a point.

On Saturday, mother nature delivered winds in the 18-22 knot range with gusts approaching 30 out of the west. While most of the sailors completed the first race, by the later races in the day attrition started to take place in the challenging conditions of the Piankatank River. Most of the fleet opted to sail radial rigs for the day under the rig swap rule that allows sailors to pick standard, radial or 4.7 rigs for each day’s wind conditions and still sail against each other.

Ryan Minth (C-VANE) from Houston Texas, David Schoene (Severn Sailing Association) and Mike Schmidt (MRSA) each had wins in the 3 races that were sailed on Saturday.

After racing on Saturday the sailors and race committee were treated to refreshments and a dinner of Alain Vincey’s pork Osso Buco.

Racing on Sunday saw much more moderate conditions ranging between 5 and 10 during the 4 races.  Keith Davids had the best finishes of the day posting 2-1-1-2, but couldn’t overcome the Apprentice handicap to get ahead of Mike Schmidt in the overall standings.  Ryan Minth and Ted Morgan also won races on Sunday.

Keith Davids (MBYC) 1^st Apprentice

Ted Morgan (SSA) 2^nd Apprentice

Mike Schmidt (MRSA) 1^st Master, 1^st Overall

David Schoene (SSA) 2^nd Master

Jacques Kerrest (PRSA) 1^st Grand Master

Alain Vincey (FBYC) 2^nd Grand Master

Newton Wattis (SCYC) 1^st Great Grand Master

Dorian Haldeman (SSA) 1^st Woman

Congratulations to all of the competitors.  And thanks to the race committee and volunteers who put on an exceptional event.  See you back here next year for the 31^st!

Dorian Haldeman (SSA) 1^st Woman

Congratulations to all of the competitors.  And thanks to the race committee and volunteers who put on an exceptional event.  See you back here next year for the 31^st!