Olympic hopeful Jon Emmett took the Laser honours in the fourth event of the South East Traveller Series at Lancing last weekend.

The forecast of sun and sea enticed 48 Lasers and Laser Radials from near and far to the event.

Unfortunately, the sea breeze had a negative effect, simply spoiling the easterly wind and leading to very light winds throughout the day. Good starts were therefore vital in such a large fleet.

After a delay while waiting for the wind to settle, the fleet jumped the gun on the first start but got away albeit slowly second time round.

Emmett, from Weir Wood Sailing Club, near Forest Row, won the first race from David Royse and Paul Hilliar, both from Frensham Pond.

Craig Palmer, of Lancing, used the tidal current to advantage and gained six places on the final downwind leg to finish fourth.

Steve Cockerill, of Emsworth, was the first Radial sailor home followed by Lancing's Mike Croker.

The wind died completely over the lunch period, how-ever after a postponement a light easterly wind resasserted itself, enabling two short afternoon races to be sailed.

In the first of these Mark Littlejohn (Lancing) took first place followed by Emmett, Hilliar and David Goddard, of Chipstead. Cockerill again led the Radials home.

With first place still undecided, Emmett, who is aiming to compete at the 2004 Olympics made the best start in the third race to build an early lead and was never seriously challenged. Littlejohn came a second, some way clear of the remaining fleet. Colette Blair, from Medway Yacht Club, led the Radials home.

Overall results - Lasers: 1. Jon Emmett (Weir Wood SC); 2. Mark Littlejohn (Lancing SC); 3. Paul Hilliar (Frensham Pond SC); 4. David Royse (Frensham Pond SC); 5. David Goddard (Chipstead SC); 6.Craig Palmer (Lancing SC).

Laser Radials: 1.Steve Cockerill (Emsworth SC); 2.Mike Croker (Lancing SC); 3.Colette Blair (Medway YC).

First lady: Colette Blair (Medway YC). First Grand Master: Peter Brown (Weir Wood SC).