Harken 29er Grand Prix Round 2 at Royal Torbay Yacht Club

Harken 29er Grand Prix at Torbay © 29er class

Harken 29er Grand Prix at Torbay © 29er class

Harken 29er Grand Prix at Torbay © 29er class

A windy weekend in Torquay put the whole fleet through tits paces with some very tricky conditions. With a south westerly wind forecast we saw some very gusty shifty winds coming off the shore of Torquay. With the wind at an average of 18 knots and gusts of up to 27 knots, the more experienced sailors showed their skills throughout the day!

The first race was nuclear. 1789 (Oliver Evans/Louis Johnson) rounded the windward mark in first followed by 2742 (Rupert/Henry Jameson) closely followed by 2347 (Freya Black/Fin Armstrong). With 1789 going onto win and 2347 finishing 2nd, showing their dominance and experience in the first race of the series.

Race 2 saw two boats being a bit keen at the start picking up a black flag early on in the series. 1789 and 2742 were clear In front at the last windward mark, however both teams managed to stack it in the corner allowing 2347 through to take the win. 834 (Ethan Gerrell/Tom Barnes) had a very solid race giving them a 4th in race 2.

Another very gusty and shifty race saw a couple of new people leading at the windward mark with 2929 (Tom Storey/Ben Willett) and 2733 (Alex Ratsey/Ollie Hawkins) rounding the windward mark in the top 5. However, 2347 managed to claw their way back through to get the win. 2898 (Aled Llewellyn-Jones/Ben Bradley) managed to clock up a 3rd with 1789 in front in 2nd.

1789 had a strong start of the port end in the last race of the day, they led all the way round to win the last race. However, it was all on behind them with a tough battle between 5 boats including 2695 (Flo Peters/Freddy Wood), 2733, 2742, 2347 and 2929. It was a dramatic finish with 2347 in 2nd and 2929 in 3rd. 2733 decided to keep the kite up for the last reach and stacked it losing them 4th place!

1789 and 2347 were tied on points over night. With a reasonable gap to 2742 in 3rd place. 2849 (Annie Hammett/Jess Jobson) were 1st girls counting a black flag!! 2222 (Robin Stein/Sam Brackley) put in a good shift and put them in the top spot for the junior prize!

Unfortunately the forecast wasn't looking hopeful for Sunday with big winds forecast and lots of rain. Arriving in the morning it looked hopeful, however the weather deteriorated with over 30 knot gusts smashing the race area. Race PRO David Campbell-James made an early call to can racing allowing everyone to watch Australia lose to Wales, and to let everyone to get home for their Sunday roasts!!

Congratulations to 1789 (Ollie and Louis) for winning the overall event. 2347 were second and first mIxed and 2742 third overall. First girls were 2849 with 2292 (Sian Talbot/Maddie Bristow) in second. Third girls were 2340 (Sophie Dennis/Emma Wells). Second Mixed were 2900 (Elodie Edwards/Ewan Wilson) with 2695 (Flo Peters/Freddie Wood) in third. 2222 were first juniors with 2700 (Leo Wilkinson/Sam Jones) in second and 2046 (Gruff Green/George Sellwood) in third. Well done to all the competitors who braved the challenging weather. Thank you very much for everyone who organised the event, and to Mark James who put on some great entertainment for the fleet on Saturday evening!

Overall Results: