GP14 Open at Nottingham Sailing Club
by Roy Nettleship 19 Oct 2009 12:39 BST
18 October 2009
GP14s at Nottingham © Ken Hemsell
A disappointing fleet of only 9 boats took to the water for the Nottingham Sailing Club GP14 Open on a day which promised to be very light. However, the wind was parallel with the river, and in those circumstances, it is significantly stronger in the valley than on the surrounding higher land, so a good breeze was present throughout the day, with Richard Nurse and his team setting courses which made the best use of both wind and river.
In the first race, Roy Nettleship/Sabine Schamberg got away cleanly at the start, and spent the race looking nervously over their shoulders as other boats came nearer and then dropped away again. Peter Thoms/Andy Hunter finally passed them at the last leeward mark, but then took the wrong side of the beat to finish second, followed by John Salomonson/Sarah Froggatt.
Thoms/Hnter got away sharply in the second race and were never seriously challenged. Salomonson/Froggat had a good scrap for second with Simon Fletcher/John Cookson, until the latter were caught on port and had to take a penalty.
In the third race, Nettleship/Schamberg again got away cleanly, and steadily increased their lead throughout the race, with several boats squabbling for second place, which eventually went to Salomonson/Froggatt. Unusually for an open meeting, all boats completed all three races, which is a sure sign that the wind was strong enough be enjoyable without being over-powering.
The day finished as always at Nottingham, with afternoon tea to accompany the Prize-giving., at the end of an Open which seemed to be hugely enjoyed by all involved.
Overall Results:
1st Roy Nettleship & Sabine Schamberg (Nottingham) 10011, 2pts
2nd Peter Thoms & Andy Hunter (Nantwich) 13896, 3pts
3rd John Salomonson & Sarah Froggatt (S Staffs) 13945, 4pts
4th Simon Fletcher & John Cookson (Trimpley) 13975, 8pts
5th Derek Fleming & Derek Tiller (S Staffs) 13859, 8pts
6th Graham Hasnip & Michael Brookman (Nottingham) 13869, 12pts