Zhik GP14 National Championships at Brixham Yacht Club

Zhik GP14 National Championships at Brixham © Gareth Fudge / www.boatographic.co.uk

Zhik GP14 National Championships at Brixham © Gareth Fudge / www.boatographic.co.uk

Zhik GP14 National Championships at Brixham 2015 © Gareth Fudge / www.boatographic.co.uk

43 boats took to the water for Day 1 of the Zhik GP14 Nationals at Brixham Yacht Club on Sunday 2nd August.

It couldn't have been better weather wise with glorious sunshine and the perfect wind to ease the competitors in gently and some rolling waves to keep things interesting.

Race 1 was a line start and inevitably the fleet didn't get away clean first time with two general recalls and individual recalls on the third which hurt Gary Deighan and Dale Knowles from Bolton SC who got an OCS result instead of top of the fleet finish.

The wind shifts were challenging with big gains and losses to be made on the beats if you picked them right. The Irish sailors dominated the top three in the end with Alan Blay and David Johnston from Sutton SC winning Race 1 and Shane McCarthy and Andy Thompson from Greystones SC coming in third and Andrew Clewer and Mark Taylor from Poole YC finishing second. Wherever competitors finished there were big grins all round on what proved to be the perfect start to this year's Nationals.

On shore, Day 2 (Monday) looked like it was going to be the same as the day before, sunny and gentle winds...on the water was a different story! As soon as we got out to the course a squall came across sending the first boat over for the day and convincing a few others to turn back. The pond sailors had found their sea legs though with Sam Watson and Andy Hunter (South Staffs SC/Nantwich and Borders SC) moving up to third place overall after their fifth and second (although they looked absolutely knackered when they got back on shore!) The racing was tough on all competitors with the safety crew kept occupied with numerous capsizes. The back half of the fleet had fun finishing, as they approached the finish line a large yacht decided to sail through the back of the line much to the dismay of those who it ended up bearing down on!

In the end it was Graham Flynn and Adam Froggatt from Chase SC that had the best day in the end, winning Race 3 and taking themselves up to top of the overnight leader board. Shane McCarthy and Andy Thompson carried on their good form by winning Race 2 and holding second place overnight.

Day 3 (Tuesday) was forecast heavy winds and didn't disappoint. The Race Officer kept the fleet onshore until 3pm to wait for the wind to drop enough for a safe race. The conditions put a few off but those that made it out soon realised why there had been a long wait as it was blowing an absolute hoolie! The decision was for just one race and a line start which got away clean. With positions changing all over the place, Bolton SC's Gary Deighan and Dale Knowles were first to round the windward mark but dropped to forth by the next leg with Greystones SC's Shane McCarthy and Andy Thompson taking the lead. By the last leg Gary and Dale were back into contention until an unfortunate capsize dropped them to seventh and let Richard Instone and Jim Toothill (Blithfield SC) take second.

Taking advantage of the lighter winds on Day 4 the decision was to run three races. With a breeze of around 10-15 knots coming off the shore as well as swell passing from left to right the racing the racing proved very tricky with opportunities to go from hero to zero and back again with every tack. There were three different race winners in the end and a lot of glum faces as not many seemed to enjoy the challenging and strategic racing.

There was uncertainty about whether or not racing would happen at all on the fifth and final day with very light winds forecast. However, the sailing gods were kind and the fleet launched on time. Out at the race course the inconsistent light breeze made it difficult for the RO to get the fleet away under a gate start and he had to eventually switch to a line start.

As with the day before there were great gains or losses to be made depending on which way you went up the beats. With Shane and Andy already having secured the overall win Day 5 was all about settling the positions of the rest of the top five and a race win for Graham and Adam left them on equal points to Shane and Andy but with one less second place that the Irish sailors. Andrew and Mark took third, Sam and Andy fourth and Dave Young and Ollie Goodhead from South Staffs SC were rewarded for their consistency with fifth.

Zhik GP14 National Championships at Brixham - photo © Gareth Fudge / www.boatographic.co.uk

There were five different race winners over the course of the week and some fantastic racing throughout the fleet. The Silver fleet was won by Nick Devereux and Geoff Edwards from Budworth SC, Lewis and Harrison Coppinger (Todbrook SC/South Staffs SC) won the bronze fleet. Emily Deary from Poole YC was the highest placed female crew (14th) and Meg Hicklin from South Staffs SC the highest placed female helm (18th). The fleet also apparently broke the record for the most barrels of beer drunk during a championships with 22 gone by the time the happy sailors departed from what was a very well organised event by Brixham Yacht Club.

The event was sponsored by Zhik as part of the Craftinsure Grand Prix Series with individual race sponsorship coming from Impact Marine, English Braids, Allen Bros and Exe Sails.

More photographs and video round-ups of each day can be found on the GP14 website: www.gp14.org

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the GP14 nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here

Zhik GP14 National Championships at Brixham - photo © Gareth Fudge / www.boatographic.co.uk