The Welsh National Squad and hopefuls have been competing at the Laser Nationals in Paignton, accompanied by squad coach Luke Breen Turner.

After pre training the event continued with blustery and squally conditions with conditions at the top and bottom of the wind range challenging competitors.  With sailors in full rig, radial and 4.7 this year – top Welsh events went to

Stevie Beckett (Solva) - 2nd Youth (9th) in the Laser standard fleet with an excellent last day to leap frog his close rivals.

Anna Piggot (Shotwick) – 3rd Youth Girl (30th) finishing in the Gold fleet after an excellent first half of the week briefly holding the girls overall lead!

And Jonathon Morris (Tenby)  16th with Siwan Bryn Roberts (pwllheli) 17th and 3rd girl in the 4.7 fleet.

Two wins on the final day were enough to give Jon Emmett (Weir Wood) the Radial Title. Steve Cockerill (Stokes Bay) had gone into the day with a seven point lead but with a full schedule of races completed the 2nd discard came into force and with Cockerill only managing a 7, 5 score it was enough to swing the balance in Emmett’s favour. Steve did pick up the Masters’ title as compensation. Richard Talbot (3rd) won the University Trophy, Richard Keates (4th) secured the Youth title. Another youth sailor, John Currie, was 5th just ahead of the Junior Champion Jack Wetherell (6th) who had in the early races been challenging Emmett & Cockerill. Ann Keates finished as top Lady in a very respectable 14th place.

The UK Laser Association would like to thank everyone at Paignton S.C. who helped to provide such a great championship. Also thanks must go to Ken Falcon (now Hon. Sailing Sec.) for being P.R.O. for the week and Dot Beadsworth and her shore team for their hard work. The full results can be found on the UK Laser website, www.laser.org.uk. A full report, with pictures, and the full list of prize winners will be published in a fortnight’s time in the Summer issue of GYBE.