The GP14 Masters, held over the weekend of 5th & 6th October at Welsh Harp Sailing Club, brought together 19 competitive boats facing challenging conditions that tested both skill and strategy.
Competitors were greeted with a notoriously difficult southerly breeze, characterized by unpredictable shifts, that kept sailors on their toes throughout the 4 races of the event. For the two Saturday races, RO Brian Jefferies set a series of short beats with tight connecting reaches, some challenging spinnaker work required !
Day 2 of the Championships saw a similar wind direction but with greater strength and variability with huge patches of disturbed water streaking across the racecourse. RO John Shepheard set a course with longer close reaches, requiring strong strategic and reactive decision making.
Event winners were Matt and Tim winning three out of the four races, showcasing their ability to adapt quickly to the ever-changing wind. Ever consistent Barnhams were runners up, with two seconds and a first. Maurice Cleal / Romek Kowalewski finished third, Steve Cooper / Liz Guest fourth and Sharon & Paul Freehand fifth.
The camaraderie extended beyond the water on Saturday evening with a delicious dinner and ceilidh, where sailors and supporters came together to celebrate the day's racing. It was a wonderful opportunity to share stories and strengthen friendships within the sailing community and Welsh Harp was blessed with the return of some long-standing friends of the club.
WHSC Sailing Captain Sue Tomkins said "We thank the GP14 association for giving us the opportunity to hold the GP14 Masters at The Welsh Harp. It was the wonderful chance for the competition to enjoy great weekend of quality racing against some best sailors in the class."
Special thanks go to the other clubs who share the Welsh Harp Reservoir for allowing us sole access to the venue during the event. Our gratitude also extends to Wembley Sailing Club, the Sea Cadets, and the Regatta Safety Boating Base for their invaluable support in providing accommodation on site and volunteer teams ensuring the racing ran smoothly.
Overall Results:
Pos Sail No Helm Crew Club R1 R2 R3 R4 Pts Division
1st 14145 Matthew McGovern Timothy McGovern South Staffs SC 1 1 1 ‑5 3 Master + 100
2nd 14125 Jasper Barnham Fergus Barnham Snettisham Beach SC 2 2 ‑3 1 5 Grand Master
3rd 14253 Maurice Cleal Romek Kowalewski Welsh Harp SC 3 3 2 ‑10 8 Great Grand Master + 100
4th 14110 Stephen Cooper Liz Guest Welsh Harp SC 4 4 ‑12 2 10 Great Grand Master + 100
5th 13611 Sharon Freeland Paul Freeland Llandegfedd Lake SC ‑11 6 5 4 15 Great Grand Master + 100
6th 14200 David Innes John McGuiness Frensham Pond SC 5 ‑16 8 3 16 Great Grand Master + 100
7th 13456 Adeel Khan Roger Jeffs Welsh Harp SC 6 11 4 ‑12 21 Master + 100
8th 14167 Simon Hoult Brenda Hoult Hayling Island SC 8 ‑9 7 6 21 Grand Master + 100
9th 13980 Yossi Shahar Sue Tomkins Welsh Harp SC ‑10 8 6 8 22 Grand Master + 100
10th 13237 Tomasz Szakola Helen Allen Welsh Harp SC 12 5 10 ‑13 27 Master + 100
11th 13787 Keith Street Hannah Liptrot Welsh Harp SC 7 ‑12 11 9 27 Grand Master + 100
12th 14157 Paul Trubridge Matt Hall Frensham Pond SC 9 10 13 (DNF) 32 Grand Master + 100
13th 13299 Jamie Isles Caroline Mitchell Welsh Harp SC ‑16 7 16 11 34 Master + 100
14th 13941 Lesley Kaye Dennis Adams Castle Cove SC ‑17 15 15 7 37 Great Grand Master + 100
15th 13887 Quentin Drain John O'Sullivan Welsh Harp SC 13 ‑17 9 17 39 Master + 100
16th 13603 Sophie Blanchard Simon Hazell Welsh Harp SC 14 14 14 ‑18 42 Master + 100
17th 13472 Sarah Street Pauline den Hartog Jager/Andy Wandsworth Welsh Harp SC 15 13 ‑19 16 44 Grand Master
18th 13421 Stephen Bethel Guy Harden Welsh Harp SC 18 ‑19 17 14 49 Master + 100
19th 13589 Laurence Bard Richard Gillian/Charles Saunders Welsh Harp SC ‑19 18 18 15 51 Grand Master + 100
No comments:
Post a Comment