R/C Laser Annual Class Championship (USA)

One of the best things about late fall racing, there is a good chance there will be wind and the third R/C Laser ACR which was held at the US Coast Guard Academy Sailing Centre Saturday November 18th, hosted by the Mystic River Laser Sailors (#39), was no exception.

The one day event was the best attended yet with 14 boats entered from as far away as Maine and Colorado with the weatherman warning of everything from temperatures in the 20's to snow flurries proved to be nothing more that one of best sailing days of the year with bright sun, clear skies and the mercury settling in the lower fifties and a gentle 8-10 knot NW breeze.

Racing started promptly at 10:15 am following a short skippers meeting in the Sailing Centres' warm and comfortable trophy hall. Since the wind had been blowing from the NW for the last 36 hours, there was little need to fiddle with the course but one or twice granting us a minimum of hold-ups and we all raced as one fleet.

Laser builder Jon Elmaleh won the first race with Al Dion second and Dan Crowley a close third with the rest of the pack slugging it out half a leg back. Every race seemed to have its breakaway trio with the rest of the fleet finishing tightly bunched behind them. By the time lunch arrived at 12:30, we had five races under our belt and no breakdowns. The scoreboard was brought up to date and everyone knew where they stood.

The afternoon racing was somewhat different with the breeze becoming quite shifty and full of holes. Dan Crowley won race six on the beat home, reading the shifts better than anyone beginning a charge that would serve him well in the end. Marblehead sailor Rolf Steitz made is presence known by thumping win in race seven which is quite remarkable having never sailed a Laser before. And as we Laser sailors know, your learning dues must be paid. However, when it was all over, Jon Elmaleh had won eight of the twelve races for the top spot and the great distinction of Laser Ace and the Bruce Kirby Trophy to show for it. Club honours went to Mystic River Laser Sailors with Dan Crowley's second overall and best Mystic boat.

Many thanks to the to the US Coast Guard Sail Training Centre for their continued support of model yachting and Linda Vernalia for doing the finish line honours at the last minute. Wait until next year!