Alain Vincey First Master at Laser DISTRICT 11 CHAMPIONSHIP
on Friday June 6, 2003 11:18AM
Lyn McCarthy was on the RC boat and provided the following report.Wild wind (gusts well above 30 knots and frequent) took Sunday away from the Laser racers at the District 11 Laser Grand Prix Regatta in Hampton Roads. They did get in three races on Saturday before Mother Nature threw her hissy fit. Henry Amthor (Hampton YC) won the championship with three 2nd places. Walt Bryde (Hampton YC) took home the 2nd place trophy (4-4-5) and Brian Shores (Severn Sailing)(3-6-6) 3rd. George Panayides (Hampton YC), defending 2002 champion, had a 1st in both race #1 and #2, but fouled in race #3 and accordingly withdrew.
Alain Vincey won the Masters trophy and Barb Amthor the Womens. Predictions of Armageddon-type conditions kept most racers home, but 16 sailed on Saturday into the teeth of oncoming weather. Races #1 and #2 were ideal - wind in the high teens and building. But, race #3 (26-28 knots) was a significant challenge, sending half of the fleet back to the Hampton Yacht Club docks and giving many racers some swimming practice.