GP14 World Championship in Barbados - Day 4

Matt Burge and Paul Childs are 5th overall on day 4 of the GP14 World Championships in Barbados © Peter Marshall

Neal Gibson and Geoff Phillips on day 4 of the GP14 World Championships in Barbados © Peter Marshall

Sponsored by Zhik, Day 4 of the 2016 GP14 World Championships started with an air of trepidation in the boat park. With many suffering from PTSD (post traumatic sailing disorder) after Day 3's force 7 gusts only the top ten were rigging the boats first thing. For the rest of us we were staring nervously around at each other playing boat-rigging chicken.

A rumour went round at one point that the conditions were worse than yesterday and there would be no racing. This wasn't true in the end but did put a good 20 boats off going out for the first race.

One of which was mine as the helm was a little reluctant after our trials the day before. With the course bought in further to shore (ironically into what is the shiftier area!) it was a pleasant watch from the swimming pontoon as the spinnakers went up around the windward mark for Race 5.

With so many white HD Sails spinnakers it was hard to tell who was where but it was a return to the top for Ian Dobson and Andy Tunnicliffe (RWYC/Burwain SC) with the win, followed by the ever consistent Shane McCarthy and Andy Davis (Greystones SC) and Sam Watson and Andy Thompson (Nantwich/East Antrim) getting their best result in 3rd.

After a little light sulking I managed to upgrade my view of Race 6 by getting out there to sail. After forgetting to tally and going back we made it just in time thanks to Simon Redhead and Steve Brown (Poole YC) to hold the start up for us by capsizing on the line. The wind was a steady force 4/5 mostly with 2 metre waves to the east of the committee boat.

We took our usual tactic of picking a gold fleet boat and following them, so enjoyed watching Mike Senior and Chris White (South Staffs SC) making the first beat (well, first quarter of it, until we lost them!) look effortless. Sam Watson looked rattled as he ploughed through the fleet on port with his distinctive apple green Ginger Boats rudder and for good reason as he got stuffed on the start and was trying to make it back through the fleet.

Day 4 of the GP14 World Championships in Barbados - photo © Peter Marshall

The 'go left' advice before the competition isn't necessarily paying off with the right side of the course being our chosen tactic. At the back of the fleet we enjoyed beating through the top five on the sausage leg and it looked very close with Nick Craig and Toby Lewis only marginally in front and giving them their first win of the Championships.

There have now been 6 different winners in 6 races and the top 4 are separated by only 4 points. The final two days of racing will be cut throat and brutal but thankfully not as windy!

Follow the action on the GP14 website, www.gp14.org/2016worlds Facebook: /GP14Class or Twitter: @GP14Sailing

Consistent sailing from Mike Senior and Chris White keeps them in contention on day 4 of the GP14 World Championships in Barbados - photo © Peter Marshall

Results after Day 4: (race 6 sponsored by Zhik)

Race 5 on day 4 of the GP14 World Championships in Barbados - photo © Peter Marshall