The last National ranking event for 2002 was held at Warsash sailing Club on 16th & 17th November. Again 15 Europe sailors turned up to compete including some new faces which was good to see.

The winds were light and tide strong which made for some taxing tactical decisions to get to the front. Debbie Winstanley was the greatest again scoring 1st, 2nd, 1st on Saturday. Chris Gill was 2nd over night and I was 3rd. The same order as last week!

The forecasts didnt look promising for any raceing to take place on Sunday. The race officer had a met fax saying 0mph all day! However, some freek bit of breeze blew enough to get us all out of the river Hamble and onto the Solent and two, very tricky races were held.

I really wished that bit of breeze hadnt come as I slipped down to 4th and finally 5th when the breeze completely died and we were towed home. Boo hoo! Debbie also got the tide wrong as she finished right down the pack but managed to keep her 1st place overall. Andrea Brewster was the legend for the day scoring two 1st places bringing her from 5th to 2nd overall with Chris Gill 3rd and Ian Stowe 4th.

I was 3rd lady but 5th overall.

So, Ill have to wait till next March now before I can measure my progress against the rest of the Brits as five of them head off to Cadiz, the venue for our World Championships next year and I go my separate way, to palma, the venue of the European Championships and Princess Sofia Trophy next year.

Any sailing questions email Laura on, laura_383@hotmail.com