Fleet prizes up for grabs in the GJW Direct SailJuice Winter Series
by Brenda Hoult 22 Jan 2015 13:15 GMT
22 January 2015
Fireball fleet at the Bloody Mary © Tim Olin /
www.olinphoto.co.uk
Support from sponsors gives classes the opportunity to race in their own fleet within a fleet
The GJW Direct SailJuice Winter Series attracts the hardiest sailors from nearly 100 classes of boats, as inclusive to small sailing dinghies as restraints allow for each venue. Many of the UK's best dinghy sailors are within the hard core of travellers who trek around the country, meeting up at some of the largest stretches of inland water in England. Entry is not limited by ability, but totally open to club members who may never usually travel and have the opportunity to sail in a large fleet at their home, or a local, club.
This winter some classes contacted the series organisers to ask if they could have access to the results for their own fleet from amidst the large number of entries (usually capacity) for each handicap racing event.
A valued team of sponsors have donated prizes throughout previous editions of the series to be presented at the RYA Dinghy Show, just after the final event is completed in February. For the 2014/15 season those classes who have shown an interest in having their results extrapolated are being matched with a sponsor as the series progresses, once they have at least 15 entrants across the events. The leader boards so far are:
The Trident UK Laser Winter Series
The Laser full rigs are always support their home events strongly but there are increasing numbers of travellers qualifying for the series. Prizes this year will not only be for the first Laser but also include the lowest placed boat to compete in 4 or more events of the series.
Laser Leader Board
The Lennon Sails Fireball Winter Series
Historically a strong fleet at the Winter events, 29 teams in total raced during the 2013/14 season including Olympian Luke Patience at the Datchet Flyer. It is 10 years since the Fireball Worlds last came to the UK and they are heading for Pwllheli in August 2015, attracting a number of lapsed Fireballers to come out of retirement and expecting 100-150 boats at the event. Founder of Lennon Sails, Mike Lennon, has also performed at the highest level in the Fireball.
Fireball Leader Board
The Overboard Contender Winter Series
The next Contender Worlds will be at Medemblik in 2015 and then the Europeans at Highcliffe in 2016. These events attract 140+ entries from all around the world and the UK fleet is fired up in the same way as the Fireballs. Following the success of the 2011 Worlds at Weymouth where 144 Contenders competed the UK fleet is looking forward to a busy few years.
Contender Leader Board
The RS Sailing/Magic Marine RS Aero Winter Series
The fledgling Aero class has designated a selection of GJW Direct SailJuice Winter Series events, plus an additional Aero-only event as their winter series this season.
RS Aero Leader Board
And at every event the 47th placed boat (at the time of the prize giving) receives vouchers for helm and crew to spend with Gul who have been providing innovative solutions for keeping sailors warm for 47 years
Prizes will not be awarded only to the first placed team from each class over the series, but other placings by agreement with the fleet - it is their series.
Results in the GJW Direct Sailjuice Winter Series after five events can be found here.
In addition to title sponsor GJW Direct Insurance (www.gjwdirect.co.uk/dinghy), the UK's largest direct boat insurer, our silver-level sponsors are: