29er Harken Grand Prix 1 at Rutland Sailing Club

A huge turnout of 61 29ers made their way to race at Rutland for the first grand prix of the season, anticipant for the racing, particularly after our grand prix sponsors – Harken, had announced that they were generously increasing the prizes for this year's series.

Due to the large numbers, racing on the Saturday would be split into flights, and so the competition was close throughout the fleet, with points very tight. The first race, with a solid 12 knots, was dominated in one flight by Matt Venables and Will Alloway (Sutton / Rutland) who had a considerable lead on Rob and Emma Loveridge (Draycote Water) by the finish, and in the other by Owen Bowerman and Morgan Peach (Hayling Island / Royal Torbay), who would finish ahead of Mimi El-Khazindar and Ben Batten (Royal Lymington / Lymington Town) in second place.

This trend continued, as in one of the second races, Mimi and Ben followed closely behind Owen and Morgan yet again in second and first places respectively – making their flight extremely tough. In the other race, junior sailors Dan Venables and Finn Murphy (Sutton / Portishead) lead through the line, followed by the devastatingly quick Scottish boat of Gillies Munro and Daniel Harris (Royal Findhorn).

A sound knowledge of rules proved crucial in this second race as well, as many boats were given DNCs for not going through the gate that the shortened course flags were displayed at.

With a port biased line, the third race was led by those who could start effectively off this end. Mimi and Ben in one flight finally bucked the trend that Owen and Morgan were setting, and although these two boats yet again gained the first and second places, it was Mimi and Ben that sailed through the line in first. In the other flight, Rob and Emma were first, followed by a girl pairing of Ruth Allen and Alice Masterman (Emsworth / Hayling Island).

With more riding on the final race of the day than any of the sailors could have imagined, the wind went lighter, from a new, shiftier direction. Crucially, Ben and Mimi yet again showed their tactical prowess by achieving yet another bullet, but Owen and Morgan were not following. Instead, Vikki Payne and Stephi Orton (Emsworth / Chichester) sailed through in second. In the other flight, Tom Methven and Rob Lloyd (Plymouth Youth) yet again showed themselves to be a powerful force in light airs and finished first, followed by Felix Crowther and Paddy Keech (Hayling Island / Bough Beech).

After a long day's racing, the last thing any sailor wanted was a bitterly cold Sunday, however, after a good few games of table football, the postponement flag came down on Sunday morning and the sailors launched, now split into Gold and Silver flights, but facing elements that were against them, with snow settling on the decks of the boats.

As previously eluded, there was, inevitably, no racing, although a sequence was started. Fortunately, most sailors were not too upset by this decision, and at the time were looking forward to the (almost) warm showers. Some were not so happy, as having sailed a great day on Saturday, Owen and Morgan were left with no chance to take the first from Ben and Mimi.

Overall then, in third place were Rob and Emma on 6 points, behind Owen and Morgan in second, who were on joint points with the leaders on 4 points. Congratulations go to Ben and Mimi for showing their ability in these conditions and coming out as winners of the season's first grand prix. Notably, Vikki and Stephi finished first ladies ahead of Charlotte Hooper and Molly Brown (Royal Burnahm) who were a single point behind. In first juniors were Dan and Finn, in 11th place overall.

Thanks go to all those who made this a great event – the race committee, Rutland Sailing Club, and all the parents and sailors to name a few. Also, thanks go to Harken for their continued support towards the 29er class.

Overall Results: