29er Harken Grand Prix Series 2011 Overall

29er Harken Grand Prix Series winners © Ben Cooper

29er Harken Grand Prix Series winners © Ben Cooper

29er Harken Grand Prix Series winners © Ben Cooper

Two points split first to fourth

The UK 29er Class Association 2011 Harken Grand Prix Series came to a conclusion last weekend with the final event taking place at Northampton Sailing Club (separate event report to follow).

This Harken Grand Prix Series runs through the year from March to October, with seven events including both sea and inland venues. For 2011 the series designated 5 events to count, with only the first days results of the last event being included, but as a non-discardable score. This enabled the overall series results to be confirmed in time for the Saturday evening social, which has become a tradition in the class.

The series started at Rutland SC back in March with 34 entrants, followed by a smaller 28 boat fleet at Draycote at the beginning of May (maybe affected by the start of the exam period). 25 boats travelled to Pwllheli at the beginning of July, and then numbers really picked up in September with 34 at Lymington and 42 at Datchet. 30 travelled to Dabchicks in early October, and finally 48 arrived at Northampton for the conclusion of the series. Conditions have provided a great test across all weathers – Pwllheli gave us one of the hottest weekends (the only one??) of the summer, but with very light winds, whilst at the other extreme, Lymington provided 30+ knots.

Overall across the seven events there were five different race winners, creating real excitement and tension going into the last weekend. Early event winners were Henry Lloyd Williams / Sam Batten from Lymington (winning Rutland and Pwllheli), and James Bollingbroke / Tim Walton from Dabchicks who won at Draycote; both these crews subsequently have graduated to the 49er and good luck to them for the future – more will be following!!

RYA Volvo National Youth Squad sailors, Jack Hawkins / Chris Thomas from Restronguet won at Lymington and Dabchicks, with fellow NYS members, Ollie Cooper / James Poyner from Hayling Island winning at Datchet.

Going into the final weekend the top four boats were only split by 1 point with the discards applied with Ollie and James leading, tied with NYS members, Ian Payne / Chris Berry from Draycote / Rutland; one point back came Jack and Chris also tied with NYS members Will Harris / Callum Ellis (Queen Mary), whilst in fifth came 2011 National Champions and Class Coach, Phil Walker and John Mather. Before the weekend, any one of the five could win overall.

As it turned out the non-discardable final day of racing was a cliff-hanger. Phil and John showed why they are National Champions, winning 4, in a flighted, six race day, to ‘win’ the final day of the series, but it wasn’t enough! Jack and Chris sealed the series overall scoring one first and four seconds on this last day, with Will and Callum jumping into 2nd overall. Ian and Chris finished 3rd, and series leaders, Ollie and James dropped to 4th, albeit with only 2 points separating all four boats – it could not have been closer. Phil and John retained 5th overall, and, newly selected NYS members, Tom Bucktrout / Jeremy Williamson (Grafham / Hayling) finished 6th.

NYS female crews came 7th and 8th, with Ruth and Tess Allen (Emsworth) beating Vicki Payne / Stephi Orton (Chichester) on count back. 3rd female pairing are Joan Furness / Abbie Page, who only got together in the summer, so counted a DNS in their final score, but over the last four events they have pushed the other two top female boats very hard, being rewarded with selection to the NYS this week.

Top juniors, also now selected to the NYS are Matt Venables / Will Alloway (Sutton / Rutland), followed by Rob /Emma Loveridge (Draycote) and Josh / Jake Davies (Pwllheli). Lastly, recognising that the 29er is sailed by adults as well, James Briggs and Chris Peel picked up 2nd Adults behind Phil and John.

All in all, a hugely successful series, very generously sponsored throughout by Harken, with fantastic prizes at every event; the class is extremely thankful for their support, which we hope will continue in 2012.

99 different crew combinations took part in at least one event firmly establishing the class on a massive growth path; membership has more than doubled in 2011, and we are starting to out-grow some of our traditional venues - what a year, what a challenge for the future!! The 2012 calendar is almost fixed, with an eight race series … no doubt it will be just as keenly fought for, with bigger fleets, and continued fun for all. Join us, and find out what you are missing!

Huge thanks from the class to every host club this year, each of whom received a Glass Trophy for their great work in running the events … final thanks, as before, to Harken – a great supporter of the class.

Overall Results: