Craftinsure Robline UK GP14 Southern Area Championship at Brightlingsea Sailing Club

Craftinsure Robline UK GP14 Southern Area Championship © William Stacey / BSC

With a light forecast for Saturday and a windy Sunday, most competitors were just happy to be back at an open event and keen to get comfortable in a racing fleet. A mixed fleet of sailors allowed for competitive racing throughout the fleet.

In the first race Fergus Barnham and Jasper Barnham went the right way with the tides and managed to lead around the windward, closely followed by Nick Devereux and Sarah Jarman. The two boats sailing away from the chasing fleet being led by Hugh Devereux and Malcolm Bird.

Race 2 saw a large pin end bias on the start line with the fleet opting to start on port or tack early. This time it was Nick & Sarah who led at the first mark, very closely followed by Fergus & Jasper and Hugh & Malcolm. The order didn't change for the race, however James Goodfellow and Rick Cornes made their way back up to 4th having been over the line at the gun.

Race 3 had a drop in wind and tide strength. Fergus & Jasper led again but were pursued by James & Rick for the entire race. Hugh & Malcolm getting the better of Nick & Sarah to finish 3rd... again.

Race 4 caught some sailors out as the tide had turned resulting in Nick & Sarah getting UFD and having an early shower. The light winds allowed for lots of place changing. Hugh & Malcom led at mark 1 closely followed by a charging fleet. In the end Hugh & Malcolm just managed to hold off James & Rick with Maciej Matyjaszczuk & Chris Lomax getting into the top 3.

Fergus and Jasper Barnham win the Craftinsure Robline UK GP14 Southern Area Championship - photo © William Stacey / BSC

With Sunday came the wind. A strong force 3 gusting into the high 4s. A race course close to the club allowed racing to get underway early on and it was James & Rick who continued their recovery after a slow start to the event by winning race 5. Fergus & Jasper were close behind with Nick & Sarah keeping touch.

The final race and the waves had increased with a growing tide. It was close to the windward mark with many boats overlaying the port layline. It looked like Maciej & Chris would lead until an un-cleated jib in the tack made them capsize allowing Fergus & Jasper to lead with James & Rick closely behind. Thomas Szakola & Charlie Cotter rounded in 3rd ahead of Hugh & Malcolm and Nick and Sarah. After multiple close calls with RS 200 bow sprits at leeward gates it was Fergus & Jasper who won the final race and in doing so winning the event comfortably. James & Rick's consistent 2nds and a bullet allowed them to jump into 2nd with Nick and Sarah in 3rd just beating Hugh and Malcolm by 1 point.

Thanks has to be given to Brightlingsea Sailing Club and the race team who were able to put on a Covid safe event where all competitors had fun. Special thanks also to Robline and Craftinsure who gave some good prizes for the winners of each fleet.

Overall Results: