This weekend, the 26th and 27th November 2011, the Cayman Islands Sailing Club will be hosting the 2011 Bacardi National Laser Championships. Close and competitive racing is expected from the 20 competitors that are registered to take part. The increase in wind strength over the last few weeks has timed itself perfectly for a fast and wet event.

This year’s fleet is evenly divided between the Laser Standard and the smaller sail Laser Radial class. The expected twenty knot forecast for Saturday will have a number of the Radial class members looking forward to racing past many of the more overpowered standard rigged boats. Winds are expected to moderate on Sunday.

Seven races are scheduled to be sailed over both days. Trying to predict the overall favourites or winners for the event is very difficult, however strong performances are expected from Tomeaka McTaggart and Eduardo Bernal in the Laser Radial. In the Laser Standard, Raph Harvey and Nick Taylor will be picking up where they left off last year when they fought tooth and nail in the 2010 Bacardi Laser Nationals, Taylor finally taking the trophy with a one point difference.

The best spot to view the racing on the North Sound will be from the Cayman Islands Sailing Club or by private watercraft around the race area. Racing begins at 2pm on Saturday 26th November and at 1pm on Sunday 27th November.