GP14 Youth Championships at Chase Sailing Club

Twenty three boats took to the water at the GP14 UK National Youth Championships, hosted by Chase Sailing Club, over the weekend of 31st October/1st November.

Saturday brought a pleasant 8 knots of wind, race 1 got underway and current Youth Champion Adam Parry crewed by Sam Collingwood (South Staffs/Chelmarsh) made their intentions clear by rounding first at the windward mark, close behind were Mark Lees/Josh Irons (Poole) followed by Ruth Shevelan/Rebecca Paul (Bolton). Mark/ Josh managed to lose their way around the course and were relegated to the back of the fleet, Adam/ Sam maintained their advantage finishing first ahead of Peter Mitchell/Andrew Hunter (Winsford Flash) with Sam Blocksidge/Richard Booth (South Staffs.) in third.

The course was changed slightly in race 2 to include a dead run, first at the windward mark were James Hopson/Charlie McNamara (Llandudno) followed by Sam/Richard and third Connie Hicklin/Emily Cole-Evans (South Staffs.). By the end of the second beat Sam/Richard were just ahead followed by James/Charlie, Adam/Sam had moved into third, also making a move were Mark/Josh up to fourth. At the finish Adam/Sam took the gun for their second straight win, followed by Sam/Richard, with Mark/Josh third.

The breeze had started to drop by race 3, Mark/Josh made the best of the beat rounding first, followed by Eleanor and Sarah Davies (South Staffs.) and Peter/Andrew, at the finish James/Charlie had worked their way through to take the win with Mark/Josh second Peter/Andrew third.

Sunday brought a forecasted increase in wind strength, race 4 got underway shortly after 11am in a force 4-5, some of the less experienced crews were finding the going difficult, however by the time the leaders were completing their first lap the wind was increasing dramatically, a wind speed of nearly 50 knots was recorded in the clubhouse, this virtually wiped out the fleet and Race Officer Tony Cole had no option but to abandon the race. Thankfully everyone came ashore unharmed, if a little damp, unfortunately the same could not be said of the boats.

After a delay the wind abated and race 5 started with a much depleted fleet of 10 boats, at the windward mark it was Adam/ Sam followed by Drew Nickless/Sam Coxon (Aberdovey/Chase), by the first off wind mark they had been joined by Mark/Josh and Sam Pickering/Meghan Marcano (Chase). The wind was again increasing and some superb boat handling by the young sailors was in evidence, many capsized but were not deterred, righted their boats and carried on.

A mention should be made of the perseverance of Mark/Josh to catch the leaders knowing an overall top three result was theirs for the taking, they flew their spinnaker in howling conditions but to no avail, and could only manage to finish seventh in the race no doubt rueing their mistake in race 1. At the finish 15 year old Eden Hyland crewed by brother Josh (Chase) came through to win, with Adam/Sam second securing the Championship, Adams third in a row, with Sam/Meg third.

Thanks to Speed Sails for their kind sponsorship of the event.

Overall Results:

1st Adam Parry/Sam Collingwood (South Staffs/Chelmarsh)
2nd & 1st Girl Crew, James Hopson/Charlie McNamara (Llandudno)
3rd Peter Mitchell/Andrew Hunter (Winsford Flash)
4th & 1st Under 18, Mark Lees/Josh Irons Poole)
5th & 1st Under 16 Sam Blocksidge/Richard Booth (South Staffs)
6th Sam Pickering/Meghan Marcano (Chase)
7th Eden Hyland/Josh Hyland (Chase)
8th, 1st Girl Helm & 1st All Girl Crew, Eleanor Davies/Sarah Davies (South Staffs)

Full results at www.gp14.org