GP14 Open at Leigh-on-Sea Sailing Club

GP14s at Leigh © Graeme Sweeney / www.marineimages.co.uk

GP14s at Leigh © Graeme Sweeney / www.marineimages.co.uk

Summer arrived at Leigh on Sea for the GP14 Southern Travellers Open Meeting on Sunday 22nd July; there was sunshine, warmth and even a fair breeze for the 13 teams, 11 visitors and 2 local boats.

Those not used to the Thames Estuary at Leigh were surprised when they arrived to find a mile of mud flats but on cue the tide covered the mud to give a few hours of water ideal for sailing.

At times the wind moved a few degrees but was generally steady from just west of south, allowing the Race Officer to set a good beat and reaching legs for three races each with three rounds.

Race 1 set off under a black flag, applied to all starts to avoid time sapping general recalls, Stephen Copper from BTYC Sailsports quickly established a substantial lead leaving the minor places to Richard Lord and Roger Walton, behind the leaders some found the short choppy seas awkward when the winds eased but everyone finished without any problems.

Race 2 was a win for Richard Lord with Andy Wordsworth in the oldest boat on the water second showing that even older boats are still competitive in the GP14 fleet.

A quick turn round once the last boat had finished Race 2 a quick move of the windward mark and the final race was underway, Stephen Cooper found the fastest way up the first beat and set off to score his second win. Roger Walton slotted into second and Andy Wordsworth took 3rd place.

After a quick sorting of the results the winner of the Leigh Cockleshell Trophy was Stephen Cooper, after racing tea, cakes and BBQ were served on the club veranda as the tide left the beach and the racers joined the day trippers on the journey home.

Overall Results: