GP14 Youth National Championship at Bolton Sailing Club

GP14 Youth Nationals at Bolton © www.sailpics.co.uk

GP14 Youth Nationals at Bolton © www.sailpics.co.uk

Well after a week of heavy wind Saturday morning saw an almost mill pond at Bolton. The wind was light but did fill in enough to get racing under way. 19 boats took to the cold water for race 1. Race 1 was a very close fight at the front. Sam Blocksidge and Sam Watson were neck and neck all the way with the rest of the back not far behind. By the finish line Sam Blocksidge had taken 1st.

After a break for lunch race 2 got underway. Sam Watson took a port flyer off the line and lead the race comfortably from the off. Sam Blocksidge was over the line and had to go back, however and impressive first beat and some carnage at the windward make put him 4th by the first reach. The top 4 were the same names again all be it in a slightly different order. Sam Blocksidge managed to get back Ellie Davis to put him in 3rd with Chris Winters in 2nd. A quick break between the races agave everyone a chance to warm up and for Sam Watsons shore team to replace the bailer that had fallen out in race 2 leaving a substantial hole in the floor of the boat.

Race 3 got under way but at the windward mark here were a few new faces in the top 5. The Mackenzie brothers were first round followed by Sam Watson and Sam Blocksidge. 4th round was Meg Hicklin. The positions were fixed at the top till lap 2, at the dam end of the lake The Mackenzie's and Sam Watson managed to sail into a hole. This gave Sam Blocksidge the opportunity to take the lead and sail way from the fleet. Sam Blocksidge held the lead till the end and taking the overall lead overnight.

Sunday moring saw a cold start with moist of the boats pretty frozen up. With the lake a mill pond again race 4 was postponed. The wind finally filled in and race 4 got under way. It was a rather undramatic start with most of the fleet well off the line when the gun went. Chris Winters had a storming first beat and as seen in previous races left the fleet pulling out a comfortable lead. The 2 Sams was back in the pack leaving Ellie Davis and the Mackenzie brothers to fight it out for 2nd and 3rd. Peter Mackin of Bolton had an interesting race. After a good start he dropped right back through the fleet but managed to pull it all back on the last lap, must be that local knowledge put to good use.

Race 5 saw the OD hold a long race and the comeback of the year. With the race under way Ellie Davis was still 2 mins away from the start line. The tension in the club house was more than ever as the last race got under way. The Mackenzie brothers bolted of the line to grab an early lead closely followed by Tom Foulkes, Sam Watson and current leader Sam Blocksidge. The fight at the top was close, during this time Ellie was slowly climbing through the fleet by keeping in clear more powerful breeze. By lap 2 she had pulled back into the top 3 and by the end of the next beat she was in the lead and pulling away from the fleet. The fight between San Waton and Sam Blocksidge was tight; unfortunately Sam Blocksidge has to pull out after lap 2 as he was unwell. The race finished with Ellie well out ahead, amazing to watch and evidence that it's not over till it's over.

So after 5 races Sam Watson and Andy Hunter, sponsored by Gingerboats, took the overall back to back victory. This is their 2nd time after winning last year's event. Sam Blocksidge and Connie Hicklin held onto second, an amazing performance given how ill Sam was over the weekend. Ellie Davis and Rich Booth took 3rd overall after their impressive last race win. Meg Hicklin and Hayley Ramadhar won the highest under 18s and join female helm and crew prize. Chris Winters won the highest 16 and under prize. South staffs sailing club won the best overall club prize, Peter Mackin and Alex Collins won best home club boat and Connie Hicklin won with highest placed female prize.