Please select your home edition
Edition
Craftinsure 2023 LEADERBOARD

GP14 Craftinsure Northern Bell Open at Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club

by Graham Knox 28 Apr 2022 06:29 BST 24 April 2022
Tom Daniel and Alice Morris during the Hollingworth Lake GP14 Open © Sandra Walker

When the wind is blowing form the north east at HLSC it usually means challenging racing conditions. So, for the Craftinsure supported Northern Bell Open, it might well have discouraged entries.

Three visiting boats, from Bassenthwaite, Blackpool & Fleetwood and Budworth were ready to compete with two home boats in the F4 winds and some 'white horses' on the Lake.

A year ago, the event saw a battle between Adam McGovern (then crewed by Ellie Davies) of the host club and John and Jack Telford from Bassenthwaite, with McGovern winning. With both present again, who would win? The pairing of father and son in both boats was a great combination.

The first race started with all five finding their way to windward. It was when, downwind, flying spinnakers soon sorted out the lead. Adam McGovern, now crewed by his father, Tim, was a bit more cautious than the Telfords when it came to leeward marks and held off the challenge. Behind, Hugh Devereux and Malcom Bird raced hard against local Tom Daniel and Alice Morris. There was always a chance of a capsize.

After lunch, two races were sailed back-to-back. Hugh Devereux and Malcolm Bird found that they had some equipment failure and felt it was best to withdraw, So four boats started and this time the Telfords gained the lead. Their spinnaker flying gave then greater speed than the McGoverns could maintain and avoid the capsize danger. Gybes were managed with skill. After a capsize, Tom Daniel and Alice Morris gave the opportunity for third place to Adam Chaplin and Wendy Bailey.

The wind may have eased a little for the third race, but the outcome was another win for the Telfords who romped away on the reaches. The McGoverns red spinnaker flew too and Tom Daniel kept upright. It was an exciting day to watch skilful sailing. With tea and cake at the prize-giving, it was thanks to the race team of Nick Brook and Martin Brennan and the very active safety boat team.

Overall Results:

1st John & Jack Telford (Bassenthwaite SC) (2), 1,1
2nd Adam McGovern & Tim McGovern (HLSC 1, (2) 2
3rd Tom Daniel & Alice Morris (HLSC) 3, (4) 3
4th Adam Chaplin & Wendy Bailey (Blackpool & Fleetwood YC) (5), 3, 4
5th Hugh Devereux & Malcolm Bird (Budworth SC) 4, (DNC), DNC

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