The carpark was bursting and the racing tight at the 2103 Auckland Laser Masters Champs at Tamaki on the Saturday 20th April.

We were pleased the boys from Onerahi YC in Whanagarei made the drive South again. They bolstered the contingent from Lake Pupuke, Wakatere and Panmure. As always Ken Atchison came up from Hamilton. Richard Blakey has seen the error of his ways and returned to the Laser after a 4 year break. And Murray Thom came out for the first time in a while. Both proved they haven't gone stale. Thanks to all the competitors for making it the strongest Auckland Masters for a few years.

The light forecast drew some sailors over to the 29 boat Standard fleet at the expense of the Radials with 8. We were also joined by some Phase 2s having their championship event.

The northerly conditions and Tamaki's signature lumpy seaway provided a perfect mixture of challenges. Good shifts exposed tactical options. It was lightish for 3 races and quite breezy for 2, with 17+ knots brought in by menacing rain fronts.

Race officer Garth placed us in our standard spot just off the club south of the shipping lane and nicely clear of Rangitoto. He mixed 2 triangle + windward-leeward races and 3 straight windward-leewards. The windward-leewards seemed more popular.

Both fleets were quite compressed and very competitive. 2 general recalls for the first Standard race was a sign of the attitude. Mark roundings were particularly busy. It was rare to get a comfortable gap to the boats behind on the runs rewarding good downwind technique in the waves. One radial race finished with a 4 way tussle for second that could have gone any way.

Scott Leith stood out in the Standard, dropping one 5th to net 4 bullets. Scott is training for the Open Radial Worlds in Ireland in September. Kris Decke pipped Murray Thom for second in a closer points tussle netting 10 and 12. All 3 leaders were close on the water.

The Radials had a real battle for top spot. Tom Speed and Roger Winton ended up tied with identical total 11 and net 7. But Tom won on count back with 3 wins to Rogers 2. Jim Quinn was 3rd. At the prize giving Bob Blakey pointed out 74yo Tom was the Auckland Masters oldest ever winner. Although Tom is generally more interested in being the winner and less interested in the age.

Thanks again to Garth Briden and his race team and Tony Beckett and his volunteers for putting on a great regatta.

• Standard Results
• Radial Results