2010 London Boat Show Ovington Grand Prix
by Dave Hall 18 Jan 2010 15:30 GMT
16 January 2010
In spite of the cold and very damp weather a hardy bunch of 29er, 49er and B14 teams made their way to the dock next to the ExCel exhibition centre to take part in the 5th Ovington Boat Show Grand Prix. Sailing in the Southerly breeze meant that the East – West dock provided some very challenging conditions. A 12 – 15 knot breeze at each end of the course with either nothing or big down drafts in the middle brought some very frustrating moments for all the sailors.
In the B14 series it was a two way battle between Mark Barnes & Phil Eltringham and Chris Bines & Dave Gibbons. After 3 races and even with Barnes & Eltringham winning a race it was Bines & Gibbons that took the prize.
The 49er class was dominated by Phil Sharp & Nick Murray who coped with the very demanding wind conditions provided by the buildings around the dock. Their boat handling not only ensured they were fast to react to the ever changing wind but impressed the crowds on the dock. Simon Potts & Andy Jeffrey took a well deserved second place from the new boys Austin Scully & Tom Brunton.
The 29ers had the biggest turnout and all gave a fine display of boat handling with only a few capsizes. Chris Mathews & Ed Gibbons showed that time in the boat pays by winning all 3 races in spite of having to return to the start after an OCS. The rest of the places were all very close with tie breaks having to separate 2nd and 3rd. Adam Larvin & Tim Walton scraped 2nd from Ian Payne & Chris Berry who ended up 3rd. Praise must go to Alex Orton who had to step in at the last moment after her friend ended up with stitches from a tobogganing accident!
The prize giving took place on the main stage where the winners received lots of goodies courtesy of Ovington Boats.
Thanks to the volunteers from the Sailing centre who manned the RIBs and National Boats Shows for providing the PA system and last but not least Stewart Marine for allowing one of their Long Boats to be used as the committee boat.
Overall Results:
B14
1st Quinta Raddison, Chris Bines & Dave Gibbons
2nd Seavolution, Mark Barnes & Phil Eltringham
49ers
1st 2wenty 4our, Phil Sharp & Nick Murray
2nd Outward Bound, Simon Potts & Andy Jeffrey
3rd Dad, Austin Scully & Tom Brunton
29ers
1st isyte.com, Chris Mathews & Ed Gibbons
2nd Wave Clothing, Adam Larvin & Tim Walton
3rd Future Pipe Inds, Ian Payne & Chris Berry
4th Team Kernow, Jack Hawkins & Chris Thomas
5th New Boat, Dave Conlon & Fin Anderson
6th Sledge, Alex Orton & Will Harris
7th Kingfisher Ropes, Tom Bucktrout & Will Glover