GP14 Inland Championship at Leigh & Lowton Sailing Club

Action from the GP14 Inland Championship at Leigh & Lowton © Paul Allen

Action from the GP14 Inland Championship at Leigh & Lowton © Paul Allen

40 GP14s from all over the UK gathered at Leigh & Lowton SC for the 2006 Inland Championship over the weekend of 30th September/1st October.

The racing started with a general recall followed by the black flag and a light wind 1st race. The wind direction meant that windshifts and wind shadows abounded around the race course giving much place changing throughout the fleet and the lead changed hands no fewer than 3 times. The eventual winners were 13176 – David and Lynn Lawson from Bassenthwaite SC with the new World Champion, 13924- Ian Dobson and Andy Tunnicliffe from Burwain SC in 2nd and new National Champion, 13911 – Matt Mee and Jonny McGovern from Hollingworth Lake SC 3rd.

After a lunch break the fleet set out for 2 back to back races in slightly more wind. Again the black flag was used and did it’s job with the fleet getting away at the 1st attempt. 13924 made no mistakes this time to register the win with 13911 in 2nd and 13914 – Mark Platt and Rob Senior from Bolton SC in 3rd. After a short break to reset the course the 3rd race began wih much the same finishing positions; 1st 13924, 2nd 13911 and 13176 in 3rd, thus overnight 13924 had a 3pt lead over 13911 with 13176 a further 1 point behind.

Leigh & Lowton SC provided a fine meal and entertainment on the Saturday evening and Sunday dawned grey and cloudy with the wind being fairly similar in strength and direction to the previous day.

Race 4 started after a short delay and the other Platt brothers decided that anything their brother could do, so could they! 13849 – Ian Platt & Chris Warburton from Bolton SC sailed to a convincing win with 13911 showing great consistency to gain another 2nd with 13904 – Neil Platt and Chris Jobson from Bolton SC in 3rd.

With overnight leader 13924 recording a 5th and 13176 a 6th, the 3 top overall positions were secure but the Championship could only be won by either 13924 or 13911 going into the 5th and last race. Both contenders got away to a good start but the Championship was decided at the 1st windward mark. As the fleet approached the mark the wind decided to shift and drop considerably, 13924 rounded 2nd whilst 13911 was hit and rafted up into a big bunch of boats. 13924 showed their considerable speed edge by catching 13904 and establishing a considerable lead by the end to record their 3rd race win and Championship title. 13914 finished 2nd with 13892 – Carl Jeffs and Jim Toothill from Trimpley SC 3rd giving them 4th overall. 13911 battled on gamely to get upto 10th position however the 1st mark rounding had taking its toll.

So Ian Dobson and Andy Tunnicliffe capped a great season from them by winning their 1st Inland Championship to follow their World Championship earlier in the year with Matt Mee and Jonny McGovern in 2nd and David and Lynn Lawson a deserved 3rd. And 1st Master Overall. 1st Grand Master was Mike Fairlamb from Bassenthwaite SC, 1st Youth was Sarah Collingwood from Chelmarsh SC and Michelle Williams from Chase SC was the 1st lady helm.

Thanks to the race management team for all their hard work over the weekend in trying conditions,to the galley staff for their great food and to the Leigh & Lowton SC members for giving us such a friendly event.

Overall Results: