GP14 Midland Bell at Staunton Harold Sailing Club

Well we booked the wind, the weather, a top quality race team and great food - what more could you want? A slightly disappointing turnout saw 5 visitors and 5 home boats racing in a blustery Force 3-4 on Staunton Harold Reservoir on Sunday 13th April in the second Midland Bell event of the season.

The wind direction made for some difficult course setting but the Race Officer gave us 3 quite different and varied courses over the day with either 2 or 3 beats, all points of sailing covered and plenty of overtaking opportunities. He even tried to put more mark numbers on the board than would fit, for one race, such was his enthusiasm to take us to all points of the compass around the lake. Short beats and reaches meant very tight tactical racing around the marks which kept the vocal chords working as well as the rest of the body, as the wind surged and swirled.

Fresh from their triumph at the recent Area Championships, Richard Instone and Jim Toothill (Blithfield) delivered a master class in GP14 sailing with three straight wins, closely pressed by Ian Willis and Keith Dutton (South Staffs) with 2 2nd places. In third place and leading the Silver fleet were Matt Birks and Alan Jones (Nantwich and Borders). Leading home boat was Mike and Paul Heaney in 5th place.

Special mention should be made of Kamran Ewbank (age 10) helming in his first GP14 Open in conditions that were challenging enough for the adults, let alone someone of half their weight.

At the prize giving Richard Instone thanked all concerned for making the day a great success.

The next Midland Bell event is at Nantwich and Border counties SC on 27th April - who can resist?

Overall Results: