Please select your home edition
Edition
Allen Brothers

Allen 29er Grand Prix at Tees and Hartlepool Yacht Club

by Phil Hope 5 Oct 2021 15:36 BST 2-3 October 2021

It has been a busy weekend at THYC this weekend, with the club hosting the Allen Sailing Grand Prix 2 event for the 29er UK Class Association. Competitors started arriving at the club on Friday evening with the first boat arriving at around 19:30 followed by a steady stream of boats arriving up until 23:30, with tents being pitched on the lawn and camper vans parking up in the club car park.

Further boats arrived early Saturday morning to make the fleet of approximately 35 boats. Competitors had travelled from as far away as the South Coast, South Wales, Norwich and Scotland.

Following rigging, registration and various briefings, the Race Management team and Safety team supported by the beach and launching volunteers tried to get the 29ers out racing on Saturday, but with too much wind it just wasn't to be. The boats that managed to launch had an adrenaline fuelled blast around in strengthening winds and deteriorating sea conditions and all came back with big smiles on their faces. The order of the day was then dictated by the following signals AP over H and then unfortunately N over A later in the afternoon.

This gave the opportunity for competitors to catch up with their friends, explore the marina and a large group even went to see the new James Bond movie. The club hosted a social on the Saturday evening which consisted of some acoustic background music provided by one of our members Andy Davison and food was served from the galley. Andy and Dave Andrews also let the club / class use some of their equipment for what can only be described as one of the most energetic and enthusiastic karaoke nights ever.

The way the senior sailors made sure every single member of the fleet was up and joining in on the dance floor in one big circle, was fantastic to see. What a really sociable close class this is. Once the sailors had had their fun, it was time for the parents to sing with encouragement from the senior sailors. Not to be out done by this the THYC Volunteers and Bar Staff decided to get up and do a number.

Sunday saw similar conditions to those of Saturday, but with the wind blowing from the South West the bay was a little more calmer than the sea conditions of the previous day. Various forecasts were consulted and similar discussions were had during the Race Management and Safety Team Briefing. AP was raised ashore while waiting for the tide and the Committee Boat and one Safety Boat locked out of the marina and headed to the sailing area to take some wind speed readings. The PRO and Safety Officer made the difficult call that the AP flag ashore would be replaced with N over A.

It has been an absolute pleasure hosting and facilitating this event for the 29er UK Class Association and we hope they will return to the club again.

A lot of effort and hard work goes into organising such events and without club volunteers, such events cannot happen. A massive thank you goes to all volunteers that have given up their time to support and make this event happen. Many many thanks to Christine Hughes, Clare Hope, Dave Andrews, David and Angela Craig, Ian Lynch, John Cook, Jonah Jones, Julia Chard, Malcolm Boagey, Mark Woolley, Nick Richardson and Paul Bryant. Apologies if we have missed anyone.

Many thanks also go to Allen for sponsoring the event and Pam Flynn and her team in the Galley for keeping all the sailors and volunteers well-fed over the weekend and Micky Early for providing support as liaison between the class and club during the event.

Related Articles

Still all to play for in the NEYYSA Series
Off to Pennine SC this weekend Sailors are gearing up for the next round of the North East & Yorkshire Youth Travellers Series which resumes at Pennine Sailing Club on Saturday 7 June after a short siesta over the half term period. Posted on 6 Jun
Torrid 29er Nationals test 30 crews at Manly
Long-time sailing buddies Will Mason and Will Leech dominated the Polished Concrete 29er Nationals. Long-time sailing buddies Will Mason and Will Leech teamed up to dominate the 2025 Polished Concrete NZ 29er Nationals at Manly SC, in challenging conditions, over Kings Birthday weekend. Posted on 4 Jun
29er EuroCup 7 in Lipno, Czech Republic overall
From unpredictable winds to looming storms, adaptability was the name of the game Lake Lipno presented sailors with a mix of meteorological challenges. From unpredictable winds to looming storms, adaptability was the name of the game. Posted on 4 Jun
2025 Dutch Youth Regatta overall
A new chapter in Kamperland After nearly two decades in Workum, the Dutch Youth Regatta (DYR) embarked on a new journey in Kamperland. The move to Roompot Marina introduced sailors to the dynamic conditions of the Oosterschelde, offering both challenges and opportunities for growth. Posted on 4 Jun
2025 Lypo-C Enoshima Olympic Week
Next-generation sailors and Olympians clash in international waters The 2025 Lypo-C Enoshima Olympic Week concluded after three days of high-level competition, bringing together 302 boats from five countries and highlighting both Olympic-calibre talent and rising youth sailors. Posted on 1 Jun
29er EuroCup 7 in Lipno, Czech Republic Day 2
Sun, wind and storms Lake Lipno delivered a completely different atmosphere on Day 2 compared to Day 1. Posted on 31 May
2025 Dutch Youth Regatta day 3
No racing, just crabbing Day 3 of Eurocup 6 in the Netherlands brought no racing, as weather conditions failed to cooperate. Despite the lack of wind, the sailors and teams made the most of their day off the water. Posted on 31 May
Countdown begins for the 2025 29er Worlds
At the iconic city of Porto, Portugal The countdown is on! The 2025 29er World Championship will land in the iconic city of Porto, Portugal, with the fleet descending on Marina da Afurada - Douro Marina from 1st-8th August 2025. Posted on 31 May
2025 Dutch Youth Regatta day 2
French team continued their impressive performance Day 2 of the Dutch Youth Regatta 2025 delivered classic Oosterschelde conditions: strong winds, rolling swell, and bright sunshine. The 29er fleet faced a steady 20-knot breeze, challenging sailors to maintain control and consistency throughout the races. Posted on 30 May
29er EuroCup 7 in Lipno, Czech Republic Day 1
The fleet adapted quickly, and the leaderboard is already taking shape Day 1 at Lake Lipno kicked off Eurocup 7 with unpredictable mountain wind shifts and four full races in tricky conditions. The shifty breeze tested everyone's tactical game. Posted on 30 May