Light and windy for Grimwith and Grafham this weekend
by Andy Rice, SailJuice.com 24 Dec 2015 14:32 GMT
27 & 28 December 2015
Yorkshire Dales Brass Monkey start © Tim Olin /
www.olinphoto.co.uk
Just as with the two events already completed in this season's GJW Direct Sailjuice Winter Series, the coming weekend looks set to deliver an extreme of conditions.
On the third day of Christmas, Sunday 27 December, the spectacular Grimwith Reservoir looks set to deliver a light and sunny day for the Yorkshire Dales Brass Monkey. OK, so with the mild weather, no snow-covered hills for photographer Tim Olin to frame the on-water action, but it should be beautiful nonetheless for the 96-boats already entered for the one-day event. With the fleet limit already reached, entry is now closed for the Brass Monkey.
Winners from two years ago, Matty and James Lyons return in their 49er to see if they can repeat the feat. However in the predicted light winds they can expect a strong challenge from the GP14s, not least World Champions Ian Dobson and Andy Tunnicliffe. After Ann Jackson and Alan Skeens' victory at the Datchet Flyer earlier this month, the Enterprises must fancy their chances, including National Championship winners Mark Lunn and Steve Blackburn. The winner of the other Series event held thus far this season, the Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash, has forsaken his 505 helmsman Tom Gillard to get back into his Phantom, and five-time National Champion Andy Couch will be looking forward to the light-airs forecast.
The D-Zeros are out in force at Grimwith, but even more so for the Grafham Grand Prix taking placing the next day of Christmas, Monday 28 December. Of the 119 boats pre-entered for the event, a whopping 17 of them are D-Zeros who have really embraced the GJW Direct Sailjuice Winter Series as their off-season competition.
It's a windy forecast for Grafham, and maybe the Contenders might excel, such as Nick Noble who relished the 40-knot gusts at the recent Datchet Flyer. The Fireballs tend to do well on breezy Grafham days, and that veteran partnership - Dave 'The 'Ball' Hall and Paul 'The Other 'Ball' Constable - will be in the hunt for some silverware. The 1980s low-riding Moth legend Michael Iszatt is out to do battle in a RS600. Grafham's own Saxton brothers are out on the water, with Tim sailing a Flying 15 with Jodie Green while Olympic aspirant and reigning Endeavour Champion Ben is steering a RS200 with fellow Olympic squadder, the windsurfing talent Izzy Hamilton.
Online entry to the Grafham Grand Prix is £19.50 per boat (GWSC Members £6) and limited to the first 200 received. Pre-entry is by up to 20:00 on Saturday 26 December 2015. Entries after this will be subject to a supplementary entry fee of £5.00 and can be made on the day at Grafham Water Sailing Club. But with a mild-weather forecast, there is a risk of the 200 entry limit being reached, so enter sooner to be sure. Don't get turned away at the gate.
Enter at www.SailJuiceSeries.com
Update on 'In-Series' competitions
Battle of the Classes
After a strong showing at Datchet, the D-Zeros knock the Scorpions off top spot. Laser, RS200, Merlin Rocket and National 18 classes all made gains to move up the leader board.
Trident Top Club
After home advantage at GJW Direct SailJuice Round 1, Draycote slip down the rankings, replaced by Hill Head Sailing Club as Trident Top Club. Burghfield and Northampton both made gains to fill the other two podium positions.
Harken Youth Trophy
D-Zero sailor Tom Southwell strengthens his position at the top of the Harken Youth rankings with another win at Datchet, although the forthcoming events are likely to see an influx of youth sailors who have been busy at class events and squad training.
Gul Top Lady
Kim May-Papiliou 29er, now tops the rankings for the GUL Top Lady Award.
Musto Speed Challenge
With SailRacer tracking both days at the Datchet Flyer, a variety of speeds were recorded. Not surprisingly Day 1 saw the best speeds, with the D-Zero of Ian Morgan topping the MUSTO Speed Wall with the best sustained adjusted speed, achieved just before a major wipeout. Ian wins a MUSTO Aqua Top.The sailor who tops the MUSTO Speed Wall over the 2015/16 GJW Direct SailJuice Winter Series, could win £500 of great MUSTO kit. If you are tracked by SailRacer you will be automatically entered into the MUSTO Speed Challenge. Alternatively, you can download the SailRacer MUSTO App or upload your GPX files from your own device.
GJW Direct SailJuice Winter Series Rankings
After two rounds, the 505 of Tom Gillard has a strong lead with eight different classes making the top ten. Of particular note are three D-Zeros making it to the top group.
For results of the GJW Direct SailJuice Winter Series after two events: gjw.sailracer.org/eventsites/content.asp?id=44162&eventid=203845&templ=
and to enter other events in the Series, visit www.SailJuiceSeries.com.