GP14 Southern Championships at Chase Sailing Club

Chase Sailing Club hosted the inaugural GP14 Southern Championships on 12th/13th May. Twenty two competitors were greeted by grey skies and plenty of rain, but a decent breeze was in evidence.

Race 1 was sailed in a brisk force 3-4 early leaders Peter and William Gardner (Combs SC) were overhauled by the end of lap 1 with Michelle Williams and Richard Estaugh(Chase) taking the lead which they held to finish first. a late charge by Carl Jeffs and Jim Toothill (Trimpley) gave them second place with Pete Jacques and Pete Tate (Chase) starting a consistent performance with a third.

After a break and a change of course Race 2 got underway, Rob Stringer and Adam Froggatt (Chase) were OCS and had to return. A close contest between Paul and Tom Simes (Cardiff Bay) and Pete Jacques and Pete Tate ensued with Paul and Tom taking line honours, Pete and Pete holding second with Ian Platt and Chris Jolly (Bolton) in third.

On Saturday evening competitors enjoyed a hot meal, and entertainment by Chase resident DJ Steve Turner, plenty of beer drinking was in evidence, with PRO Tony Cole reliving his youth on the dance floor.

Sunday saw a change of wind direction with a more fickle force 2. Unfortunately Carl and Jim were unable to compete on Sunday and their challenge was over. Race 3 saw a lot of place changing, PRO Tony Cole needed to reset the beats to keep them true, but in the end it was a duel between Pete and Pete and Richard Instone and Linda Estaugh (Chase) with Pete and Pete winning to put them in a strong position for the title. Richard and Linda held off Dave Young and Jane Alexander(South Staffs ) in a tacking battle to take second.

Going into Race 4 Paul and Tom were the only ones who could beat Pete and Pete to the title, they needed to take a race win, but it was not to be their day, Ian and Chris went on to win putting them into second overall with the narrowest of margins over Michelle and Richard taking third overall, Richard and Linda scored another second to take them into the prizes and fourth overall.

Winner of the Silver fleet was John Salomonson crewed by Adam Parry and Sabina Lawrie(South Staffs) on Saturday and Sunday respectively. Bronze fleet winners were Mark Wolf and Ian Campbell (BTYC Sailsports).

The event was generously sponsored by Speed Sails and all prize winners received high value items, so a big thank you to Speed.

Overall Results: