GP14 Midland Bell Series Round 2 at Midland Sailing Club

Water, water, everywhere

A full Edgbaston reservoir was a great sight to see on Sunday 1st April, for the second round of the GP14 Midland Bell traveller series. However the wind gods did not play ball, as the forecast was for 2mph, gusting 5mph from any direction you care to mention. Seven visitors joined the 5 home boats for some lottery sailing as gusts filled in from all directions, driven by the thermals from Birmingham City centre.

Race 1 was over before it started for Julian Forde & Iain Leiper, being holed by an wayward GP in the final minute of the start sequence. They returned to shore, able to watch the race, lead from start to finish by a very dominant pairing of Sam Blocksidge & Connie Hicklin; they got the first fetch right, going low to hunt the wind, popping out at the windward mark, sailing off into the distance leaving a very frustrated group of sailors behind. It became yo-yo sailing for the remainder, with the eyes out the boat being so important to leapfrog your closest competitors; no-one guaranteed a place until they crossed the line. Second, was taken by Paul Leavers & Nigel Spurr some 4 minutes behind Sam & Connie.

Race 2 after a cracking lunch was held in similar light airs, the OD struggling to set a decent line with the zephyrs swinging all over. Sam & Connie again ‘got lucky’ and popped out in the lead, although they were unable to break away this race, Matt Thursfield & Sarah Froggatt close enough to keep them on their toes, pushing them around the reservoir. With the holes opening and closing with irregularity, it became too frustrating for some, Dave Trott & Andy Hanley convinced the holes were following them around. Sam & Connie pretty much held the lead all around the course, wrapping up the open with a race to spare, Matt & Sarah took second, ahead of the Leavers/Spurr combo.

With Sam & Connie packing up, it became very open for second place, a race victory for a number of boats would levitate them into the chocolates. Adam Froggatt & Emily Cole-Evans were first to show their credentials, leading by some way around the first mark and off around the course. By the fifth buoy, they were joined by Chris Winters & Matt Smith and Mark Fleming & Chris Cook. It was here where fortunes changed, all three rounding to starboard rather than port; who was to blame was open to debate; who benefited was in no doubt, Matt & Sarah, jumping from 4th to 1st in a matter of seconds, Paul & Nigel back in the mix after a disastrous start.

The fickle winds though were to have the last laugh, Fleming & Cook steam roiling their way back to the front of the fleet with some quick responses to ever changing conditions to take the race victory, ahead of Matt & Sarah, Paul & Nigel coming in a despondent third. (How, with results of 2,3,3 they were to come fourth overall is anyone’s guess).

Sam & Connie dutifully thanked Midland for holding the event, secretly thanking Steve Parker at Elite Sails for their new Aeroweb main that put them at the front of the fleet. Second went to Matt Thursfield & Sarah Froggatt: third with that race win in the final shoot-out were Mark Fleming and Chris Cook.

The next opens for the Midland Bell are starred events, Nantwich on the 15th April, followed by Staunton Harold on the 22nd April. Then May bank holiday sees the Inlands at Pitsford Reservoir. Entries are open online at www.GP14.co.uk

Overall Results: