Toby Hamer and Ross Mackley were winners in Standard and Radial classes at the Spinnaker Laser Open, the opening event in this year’s South Coast Region Grand Prix series.

Visitors from 12 different clubs joined 18 Spinnaker sailors in shifty conditions typical for the lake near Ringwood. In the Standard Fleet, 19-year-old Hamer from Stokes Bay soon came to terms with unfamiliar inland conditions to win the first two of three races and secure top spot with a race to spare, while Mackley needed a win in the final race.

The breeze that began fluky became more established as the day progressed and the five-leg course, with two beats and a run, offered the competitors plenty of variety.

There were many persistent wind shifts and with significant gusts spreading unevenly across the water, the sailors’ strategy came into play.

From the first gun, local sailor Martin Urmson led the Standard Fleet around the first lap before losing out on the second downwind leg.

Hamer and Keith McQuillin (Spinnaker) took over, with Ian Morgan (Hill Head) climbing through the fleet to finish third.

In the second race, Hamer soon established a lead, with McQuillin sailing to the front of the chasing pack before being caught by Morgan on the last lap.

Local sailor Steve Adshead restored some pride for the home club with a second place in the last race, behind winner Morgan.

Hamer started slowly but sailed through the fleet to take third.

Overall: 1 Toby Hamer (2 pts), 2 Ian Morgan (3), 3 Keith McQuillan (5).

The Radial Fleet enjoyed a close contest with David Ellis (Keyhaven) and Kerry Morgan (Hill Head) challenging for the top spot going into the last race.

In the first, 16-year-old Mackley emerged from a closely-contested start to lead by half-way.

Ellis fell back to third on the last lap after being caught by Morgan following her poor start.

In race two, the top three positions were reversed, Mackley having lost the advantage he had built up at mid-way.

All three were on four points before the final race.

It finished with Mackley and Ellis in first and second positions, and Andy Chapman in third place.

Overall: I Ross Mackley (2pts), 2 David Ellis (3), 3 (and first woman) Kerry Morgan (4).