GP14 Northern Championship at Royal Windermere Yacht Club

GP14 Northern Championship on Lake Windermere © Simon McVey

GP14 Northern Championship on Lake Windermere © Simon McVey

GP14 Northern Championship on Lake Windermere © Simon McVey

At possibly the most attractive place to go sailing in the UK, 25 GP14s arrived at Royal Windermere Yacht Club to contest the 2013 GP14 Northern Championship, which also counted as the last event for the 2013 Craftinsure GP14 Grand Prix series.

The forecast looked promising with 10–14 mph on Saturday and 14–20 mph for Sunday. However, an easterly wind direction is not ideal on the Lake District waters, oriented predominantly north–south.

The fleet launched on time in less than 5 mph, with the hope that the forecast breeze would fill in in time for the scheduled first race. After about an hour of fighting between the forecast easterly and a thermal southerly, the fleet got away in a southerly(ish) breeze. Rounding the windward mark first was the Association committee dream team of Paul Bowmer (Treasurer) crewed by Duncan Greenhalgh (President). Close behind were Mike and Liz Senior, followed by Andy Tunnicliffe and Greg Marshall. The Seniors managed to sneak past Paul and Duncan at the second windward mark when opting to gybe inside. The wind then began to shut down gradually and shift towards a southwesterly direction, meaning that the first reach on the triangle turned much more into a run. On the third lap Mike/Liz and Paul/Duncan managed to just get around the gybe mark in what was left of the reaching breeze and then proceeded to sail off into the distance and take a comfortable 1, 2. David and Lynn Lawson came home third, finishing ahead of Gavin Tullet and Emily Cole-Evans.

After a short postponement, the race officer wisely decided that racing was finished for the day and sent the fleet back to enjoy some of the fine beer at the yacht club.

Sunday dawned breezier but the wind was still stubbornly in an easterly direction – and with the odd tendency to shift round to the south the race officer had a lot on!

In the second race of the championship, leading the fleet at the first mark were the Lawsons, followed by David and Jackie Gebhard and Andy and Greg. The Seniors were back in fourth, closely followed by Paul Owen and Alan Jones. At the bottom mark David and Lynn had retained their lead, with Mike and Liz moving up to second. The Lawsons were then somewhat unfortunate not to benefit from a 10–20% lift on port tack, which enabled Mike/Liz to climb inside and take the lead, which they held on to the finish with David/Lynn second and David/Jackie third.

In race 3 the Lawsons came out fighting, building a large lead which they held to the finish. Andy and Greg finished second ahead of the quick pairing of Lee Thomas and Laura Richardson from Southport Sailing Club. The Seniors finished back in fourth ahead of Gavin and Emily.

The race officer had informed the fleet prior to racing that the intention was to hold four races in an attempt to make up for lost time on Saturday. However, with no racing possible after 3 pm, time was running out to finish a race and get another off in time. Considering the next race was probably to be the last, the pressure was on, with the Lawsons and the Seniors both looking for the overall win.

A short two-lap race was set. At the first mark Mike/Liz rounded first, followed by Paul/Duncan and Richard Instone and Jim Toothill. David/Lynn were back in around sixth place. The second reach, however, turned into a true run and with the wind dropping slightly the pressure was on the Seniors to defend. The breeze then predictably (!) filled from behind and the Lawsons took full advantage to claim water on the leading pack. Mike and Liz just managed to hold on to second. As it then stood the championship was heading to David and Lynn on count-back, but Mike and Liz managed to wriggle up the left-hand side of the beat along with Justin Smith and Sarah Allen – and then managed to just claim room on David and Lynn at the windward mark. The final leg to the finish ended up being a broad reach followed by a short run. The Lawsons hung on to the Seniors' transom for the reach and then made their move on the short run to the finish. The pressure was on! Mike and Liz Senior just hung on to win by less than a metre – and with it the Northern Championship.

Justin and Sarah consolidated their impressive move up the fleet to finish third ahead of Paul and Duncan.

GP14 Northern Championship on Lake Windermere - photo © Simon McVey

Paul and Duncan topped the silver fleet, finishing an impressive third overall. Roy and Janet Nettleship sailed a consistent series to take the bronze fleet, finishing fourteenth.

The fleet now look forward to the End of Season of Championship on 19/20 October at Bassenthwaite Sailing Club, where an entry of around 40–50 boats is expected.

Overall Results: