Laser Barometer - ILKA Open Meeting Saturday 1st November 2025

Laser Barometer Saturday 1^st November 2025,

Report: Carolyne Vines

This year the ILCA open had to be postponed from 4^th October because of high winds. It was still pretty gusty from the West when the twelve ILCAs took to the water, and there were a few capsizes. Race Officer Rob Hatley set a course upstream beyond Stevens Ait then back down to a mark just in sight of the club with a dog leg on the way back upstream.

It was great to see the two Juniors taking part: Lyra Wade and Louis Atherton.

Tom Bull was dominant from the start of the first two races, Ilker Sener in second. John Kemp was third and Tim Medcalf fourth in the first race, after which there was a break for lunch.

The second race started at 1pm. Tom led from the start again, with Ilker unchallenged behind. Marcus Chavasse climbed up through the fleet to come third, Lyra Wade was fourth.

The wind was dropping so the course was shortened with the upstream mark moved to below the Island and the downstream mark brought upstream to just below the club.

The start was less clear cut than than the others. Tom was challenged by Peter Impey and Ilker . There was a lot of place changing with Lyra Wade in the mix, John Kemp climbing to fourth. It was a thrilling race to watch. In the event, Tom Bull pulled away from the fleet, Ilker Sener second, Peter Impey third, John Kemp in fourth.

The prizegiving took place in the clubhouse after the racing. Tom Bull was presented with the Laser Barometer by Commodore Marcus Chavasse.

Thanks go to OOD Rob Hatley assisted by Stewart Colley in the box, Peter Bide and Jemma Horwood in the Patrol Boat.

Final results after countback for a tie in fourth place:

1^st Tom Bull 3 points

2^nd Ilker Sener 9 points

3^rd Marcus Chavasse 13 points

4^th John Kemp 15 points

1^st Junior Lyra Wade 19 points

Highly Commended Louis Atherton.

A few photos are included here. Further shots and some video footage may be found on the Tamesis Club Facebook page.

Photo Carolyne Vines

Photo Carolyne Vines

Photo Carolyne Vines

Photo Carolyne Vines

Photo Ilker Sener

Photo Ilker Sener