GP14 Youth Championship at Winsford Flash Sailing Club

Winsford Flash SC was host to 22 GP14 entrants. Competitors and Race Officers both faced a tough challenge set by the light and variable winds on the first day. Gareth Hughes and Vicki Leavers of Hollingworth Lake took the lead initially, beating into a SSW wind. However before they reached the first mark spinnakers had been set as the wind veered to the north, and Clair Brunner and David O’Callaghan of Chelmarsh SC, took the lead. The lead changed places as the wind died and rose afresh in new directions allowing Sarah Collingwood and Tom Simes, followed by Peter Cowell and Sam Collingwood, both Chelmarsh SC boats to overtake Clair and finish in first and second positions.

In race two, Alastair and Pippa Mitchell of Winsford Flash SC emerged in front, ahead of Seonaid Fleming and Heather Jones of South Staffs SC and Tom Hubbard with crew Ryan Penny of Budworth SC. These positions remained the same at the finish. Sarah Collingwood finished fourth, which meant that Alastair finished the day in first place on countback.

On Sunday race 3 started in a F3 NW breeze. Sarah Collingwood established an early lead by starting at the pin end and crossing the fleet on port. Sarah maintained the lead at the first mark followed by Gareth Hughes. As the wind eased Gareth pulled ahead of Sarah, whilst some distance behind a battle was developing for the minor places. Eventually, Gareth crossed the line to win ahead of Sarah, and Alastair finished third.

The wind was lighter for the final race, and Greg Marshall with Stu Mackenzie of West Lancs YC, emerged as leader in the first beat followed by club mates David Reaser and Mark Chisholm. At the end of the second beat Alastair Mitchell had fought his way up to second place. Sarah Collingwood, leading the event after three races, was back in sixth place. By the end of the race, Greg maintained his substantial lead to win. Peter crossed in second with Alastair in third place but they could not stop Sarah and Tom fighting all the way up the final beat to come in fourth and clinch the Championship title. This was an historic victory for Sarah Collingwood as she becomes the first female helm to win the U.K. Youth Championship title since its launch in 1962.

Thanks were extended to the organisers and the sponsors Lanes Group Plc, Sewer Renovation Division, Speed Sails, Mailspeed, Purple Marine and the Mersey Basin Campaign for this event.

Overall Results: