Please select your home edition
Edition
Allen Brothers

GP14 UK National Championships 2019 at South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club

by Mike Senior & Vanessa Devereux 14 Aug 2019 09:50 BST 3-9 August 2019
GP14 UK Nationals at Abersoch © Richard Craig / www.SailPics.co.uk

The GP14 fleet made a welcome return to South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club for their 2019 UK Nationals, following an 8-year absence with a fleet, of 56 boats. Unfortunate weather conditions throughout the week meant only six out of the scheduled nine races were completed. However, there is probably no better place to find alternative things to do when racing is cancelled.

First out of the blocks on Day 1 (Sunday) were Russ and Ali Cormack from Budworth Sailing Club, mastering the light to moderate SW breeze, to win Race 1 which was sponsored by Ginger boats.

Sam Watson and Andy Thompson resumed their season winning form on Day 2 with two bullets in Race 2 sponsored by English Braids and Race 3 sponsored by Gibson Sails to catapult themselves to the top of the leader board in an increasing moderate SW breeze.

Day 3 (Tuesday) - Racing was cancelled by excessive wind, although some of the sailors couldn't stay out of the water and went surfing down at Hell's mouth.

Day 4 (Wednesday) Originally scheduled as a rest day, but tactically used to catch-up from Day 3. A further race was also held due to the very light and very windy forecasts for Thursday and Friday respectively. A breezy day resulted in lots of opportunities for significant downwind gains and regrettable periods spent upside down for some.

Jim Hunt and Liz Senior won the opening race of the day; race 4 of the championship sponsored by Pinnell & Bax, leading from start to finish. Mike Senior and Chris White continued to recover from their habitual early week brain fart and won the remaining 2 races; Race 5 sponsored by Dinghy Shack and Race 6 sponsored by Impact Marine. Sam Watson and Andy Thompson had another solid day to consolidate their overall position with a 6, 2, 2.

Day 5 (Thursday) Following a two-hour postponement and subsequent rounders match, the fleet launched into a rather pleasant force two south westerly. Following two general recalls and a black flag the fleet eventually got away. However, 50 minutes into the race the wind decided it had had enough. The race officer had no other choice but to abandon race 7.

Day 6 (Friday) Cancelled, like pretty much every other event in the UK that day. The class cleaned the beach in the rain as the ever hopeful packed away their boats.

Therefore, Sam Watson and Andy Thompson are the new GP14 UK National Champions, following a very successful 2019 campaign and an impressive championship performance.

Silver fleet was won by Peter and Stephen Boyle from Sutton DC with Peter also winning first youth helm coming 7th overall. In second silver were Jack Lewis and Szymon Matyjaszczuk from Welsh Harp SC; whilst in third place were Paul and Tom Simes from Cardiff Bay YC.

Bronze fleet winners were David Johnson and Collie Delaney from Sutton DC in 32nd place, followed in second by Les Burns and Alice Morris from Hollingworth Lake SC. In third place were James Ward and Richard Whitehill from Papercourt SC.

Competing in their first championships the last two boats who were both from Frensham Pond has received one days coaching from the class. Bruce Craven and Tim Farnell-Watson in 55th and in 56th place Kate Whyatt and Jon Denyer.

Next up is the Irish Nationals (16-18 August) at the 2020 World Championship Venue, Skerries Sailing Club.

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the GP14 nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here

PosSail NoHelmCrewClubR1R2R3R4R5R6Pts
1st14248Sam WatsonAndy ThompsonNantwich & East Boarders/ East Antrim SC‑101162212
2nd14236Jim HuntLiz SenoirSouth Staffs SC62‑714316
3rd13417Mike SeniorChris WhiteSouth Staffs SC‑269421117
4th14242Ross KearneyEd BradburnRNYC/ South Staffs SC3‑11545623
5th14253James GoodfellowRick CornesHarwich Town/ Burghfield SC7338‑11728
6th14117Jonny SinclairDerek HillSCYC West Lancs. & B&FSC15629‑17537
7th14116Peter BoyleStephen BoyleSutton DC‑37495151346
8th14254Tim JonesDale KnowlesHolyhead DC/ Bolton SC1112812‑25447
9th14202Ciaron JonesSam PlattHolyhead DC/ Bolton SC910‑131071248
10th14188John HayesJoel JamesSouthport sc418‑20146951
11th14047Ian DobsonGemma DobsonBurwain SC586‑21192058
12th14110Dave YoungOliver GoodheadSouth Staffs SC1717117‑26860
13th13693Ben IiffeRichard AbendsternNorthampton SC23‑24153131064
14th14121Jack LewisSzymon Matyjaszczuk 87(DNC)2482168
15th13915Andy HateleyBev HateleySouth Staffs SC‑285192831671
16th14718Lawrence CreaserJane KearneyHayling Island/ South Staffs SC1914‑3013141171
17th14247John McGuinnessDonal McGuinnessMobile Boat Club‑3316122791579
18th14217Mark PlattTom PlattBolton SC‑27131017221880
19th14240Russ CormackAli CormackBudworth SC121‑2416212483
20th14214Keith LoudenAlan ThompsonRYA21201418‑231487
21st14145Adam McGovernEleanor DaviesHollingworth Lale SC14‑282125161995
22nd14130Hugh GillJoe DohertySutton DC3127‑4111101796
23rd14089Paul SimesTom SimesCardiff Bay YC2915162618‑30104
24th13838Justin SmithMichelle EvansTynemouth/ Chase SC202623‑311225106
25th14097Sarah NorburyEmily Cole EvansSouth Staffs SC161925‑302026106
26th14144Colman GrimesCiaran KeoghSkeries SC18(DNF)22153022107
27th14023Jeremy DavyEthan PlankDraycot223183235(DNC)110
28th13326Chris MartinSamuel BaileyMidland/ South Staffs SC‑423317193323125
29th14257Bill JohnsonJames JohnsonLough Foyle YC24‑3026292828135
30th13917Joshua PorterSara GowdyNewtownards SC13292733‑4336138
31st14090Jon ChapmanWendy MartinBudworth SC22(DNF)DNC222729157
32nd13977David JohnstonCollie DelaneySutton DC3825(DNF)232942157
33rd14201Hugh DevereuxMalcolm BirdBudworth SC363628‑473131162
34th13420Leslie BurnsAlice MorrisHollingworth SC3235‑37353232166
35th13316James WardRichard WhitehillPapercourt SC‑483129373733167
36th14208Mark McKeeverKevin HopkinsMidland SC1222(DNF)20DNCDNC168
37th14133Jack ButtimerMatthew StreetYoughal SC‑473235413427169
38th13949Peter NugentCharles SaundersStaunton Herold SC‑463931393934182
39th13888James HockleyOwen McCauleyLough Foyle YC3434(DNF)3424DNC183
40th1338Josh BennettBryn AbensternToddbrook SC2541(DNF)3636DNC195
41st13389Ed WashingtonIzzy WaterfallToddbrook SC‑504232404239195
42nd14139Derek FlemingSeonaid YoungSouth Staffs SC414034‑454538198
43rd14234David InnesMatthew InnesFrensham Pond SC3938(DNC)383845198
44th13237Tomasz SzakolaAndy ShrimptonWelsh Harp SC45‑5033484035201
45th14230Ralph Haliburton‑ChaplinAdam ChaplinBlackpool & Fleetwood SC43433644‑4640206
46th13168Neil GoodheadBrian BatesSouth Staffs SC35(DNF)DNC434137213
47th4615Steve ParryJens KuhnYork RI SC‑494738464943223
48th14057Ann PennyKaren AlexanderDerwent Reservoir SC‑514940494746231
49th13933Zena MartinLeanne PilkingtonBolton SC44(DNF)42DNF4444231
50th13864Andrew TodJohn McGuinnessFrensham Pond SC4045(DNS)4248RET232
51st13263Keith BuddenBen RobertsTrimpley SC‑554639505147233
52nd14174John TooneCatherine TooneChelmarsh SC3037(DNC)DNCDNCDNC238
53rd13938Jonathon PughMartin TempleMidland/ South Staffs SC5344(DNC)515041239
54th14067Philip GriffinJoanna GriffinChelmarsh SC5248(DNS)DNCDNCDNC271
55th14163Bruce CravenTim Farnell‑WatsonFrensham Pond SC54(DNC)DNCDNFDNCDNC282
56th14020Catherine WhyattJon DenyerFrensham Pond SC56(DNF)DNCDNCDNCDNC284

Related Articles

75th anniversary for GP14 class at Shropshire
Number 20 'Miss Daisy' was able to return home Shropshire Sailing Club was founded 75 years ago with the purchase of the second group of ten GP14s ever made. The club was delighted to welcome twenty GP14s for a joint 75th celebration weekend at the end of June for the club and the GP14. Posted on 10 Jul
Junior GP14 team wins Southport 12 Hour Race
An amazing day with great competition from teams of all abilities The conditions were looking strong for this year's Southport 12-hour race at Southport SC with 12-15 kts constant and gusts up to 30 kts which provided a real challenge for the junior and youth teams taking part. Posted on 8 Jul
S2S Race at Leigh & Lowton
Sunrise to sunset racing dominated by West Lancs teams The S2S is a team event held annually in June at Leigh & Lowton SC in GPs, Ents and Fireflys starting at sunrise (4.40am) and finishing at sunset (9.40pm). Posted on 23 Jun
GP14 Southern Travellers at Frensham
Flag etiquette blunder shocks fleet With a good forecast of 10-17 knots and promise of blue skies the GP14 Southern Travellers travelled to Frensham to join a strong local fleet. This was the first time that Frensham have held a GP14 Open during the summer months. Posted on 17 Jun
GP14 Munster Championship 2025
A favourite venue of the class doesn't disappoint The 2025 Munster Championship returned to Cullaun Sailing Club, the centre of Munster Sailing and the recent recipients of Irish Sailing's Club of the Year. Cullaun and its small lake is a favorite of the GP14 fleet. Posted on 14 Jun
GP14 Northern Bell at Budworth
The day proved that you really can have a blast at Budworth! A very memorable day was had by all at Budworth on Sunday 1st June in what turned out to be an eventful GP14 Open Meeting. The day had been eagerly anticipated at the Mere with 25 boats entered, 20 of which were from the club. Posted on 6 Jun
Llandegfedd GP14 Open
Sharing the lake with a stand-up paddleboard GP added an extra dash of jeopardy We were warmly welcomed to the stunning reservoir in the posh bit of South Wales by Sharon and Paul Freeland of Llandegfedd SC. Sharing the lake with a stand-up paddleboard GP added an extra dash of jeopardy. Posted on 3 Jun
International sponsor 2025 WLYC 24 Hour Race
The event will take place on 13th-14th September 2025 at Southport Marine Lake West Lancashire Yacht Club (WLYC) is thrilled to announce International yacht paint as the headline sponsor for the 2025 WLYC 24 Hour Race, the UK's premier dinghy sailing endurance event. Posted on 27 May
GP14 Ulster Championship at East Antrim
An unexpected set of great conditions at Larne Lough Sunshine, high tide, beautiful breezes - not generally the GP14 Class's mental picture of Larne Lough, but that's how it was in the weekend 17/18 May for the GP14 Ulster Championships. Posted on 24 May
GP14s at Bolton
From a cloudless sky, a huge 25 knot gust descended vertically to capsize three boats The fleet of sixteen GP14s including six visitors were greeted by a balmy 21 degreesC, sunshine and a 9 knot breeze gusting up to 12 knots from the south east, champagne sailing conditions. Posted on 19 May