Overall Victory in the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series to be decided at the Oxford Blue
by Andy Rice 10 Feb 17:34 GMT
18 February 2023
Ellie Craig is still Top Lady in the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series © Tim Olin /
www.olinphoto.co.uk
The Seldén SailJuice Winter Series reaches its climax with the Oxford Blue next Saturday (18 February), and there are three top boats in contention. So far this winter, all eight events and the maximum 24 races have been held.
There's still time to enter the Oxford Blue, sign up at www.sailjuiceseries.com
Here's a round-up of the story so far...
Craftinsure Top Class
Of the 37 different classes racing at the Tiger Trophy, 18 had three or more entries. With the Craftinsure Top Class rankings based on the best three results for each class across every race, the Ospreys dominated the Tiger Trophy, followed by the Laser (ILCA 7s) and Solos. Overall, after 24 races and with 69 different classes represented, the Laser (ILCA 7) Class holds onto the top spot, and after a strong showing at the Tiger Trophy now look unassailable.
The fight for the remaining podium places is very close, between last winter's winners Laser Radial (ILCA 6s), RS200s and RS Aeros 7s, with the RS Aeros again designating the Oxford Blue as their Winter Championships they will be looking for a strong finish. There is a mathematical chance that the Ospreys, Solos, and RS400s could jump up to the podium.
Top Club
Great Moor was the top club at Rutland, based on the best three results for each club across every race, and maintain their number one spot for the overall rankings after 24 races. Previous leaders Staunton Harold hold onto 2nd place, but Carsington move up to third and have closed the gap.
With one event to go, Great Moor are uncatchable as we go into the final event, but there is a chance any of the following clubs could join them on the podium: Staunton Harold SC, Carsington SC, Papercourt SC, Draycote Water SC, Rutland SC and Beaver SC.
Seldén sticker competition winners
Series regular Ellie Craig (RS Aero 6) was the sticker winner at the Tiger. She wins an R60 ratchet block from the Seldén range, thanks to his photo taken by series photographer Tim Olin. James and Samuel Clancy (Merlin - Desborough SC) featured in the photo which saw the most social media engagement from the King George Gallop. Who will win the best social media engagement from the Tiger Trophy?
Watch Facebook Live at 7pm this Monday, 13 February.
Here's an update of the GBSC (Great British Sailing Challenge) rankings, based on extracted results for each category across every race held, and 1 discard per every three races...
Female
1) Ellie Craig (RS Aero 6 - BFYC)
2) Maddie Childs (Laser Radial (ILCA 6) - King George Sailing Club)
3) Rachael Gray & Amy Clay (Scorpion - Staunton Harold)
Junior
1) Finlay Cochrane (Laser 4.7 (ILCA 4) - Yorkshire Dales)
2) Nathan Clark (Topper - Waveney & Oulton Broad Yacht Club)
3) Freddie Sunderland (Laser Radial (ILCA 6) - Draycote Water)
Youth
1) Finlay Cochrane (Laser 4.7 (ILCA 4) - Yorkshire Dales)
2) Maddie Childs (Laser Radial (ILCA 6) - King George Sailing Club)
3) Arwen Fflur & Arlo Braund (420 - Pwllheli WKSC)
19-30
1) Jamie Blake (Laser (ILCA 7) - Great Moor Sailing Club)
2) Ellie Craig (RS Aero 6 - BFYC)
3) Thomas Southwell (OK - Lee On The Solent)
31-60
1) Peter Gray (Osprey - Staunton Harold)
2) Paul Young (Enterprise - Midland Sailing Club)
3) Sam Mettam (RS Aero 6 - Papercourt/TLFYC/RNSA)
Masters
1) Roger Blake (Osprey - Great Moor SC)
2) Graham Hall (Challenger - Rutland Sailing Club)
3) Tim Bird (505 - Burton SC)
Fast Asymmetric
1) Jonathan Carter (Vortex - Rickmansworth Sailing Club)
2) Ollie Groves (RS400 - Beaver SC)
3) Richard Smith (Musto Skiff - Medway Yacht Club)
Fast Symmetric
1) Peter Gray & Geoff Edwards (Osprey - Staunton Harold)
2) Roger & Iain Blake (Osprey - Great Moor SC)
3) James & Samuel Clancy (Merlin Rocket - Desborough SC)
Slow Asymmetric
1) Luke Fisher (RS Vareo - Emberton Park SC)
2) Paul North (RS Vareo - Milton Keynes SC)
3) Ben Whaley & Lorna Glen (RS200 - Parkstone YC)
Slow Symmetric
1) Jamie Blake (Laser (ILCA 7) - Great Moor Sailing Club)
2) Paul Young & Alex Homer (Enterprise - Midland SC)
3) Sam Mettam (RS Aero 6 - Papercourt/TLFYC/RNSA)
Overall - the final countdown to Oxford
With 15 boats now completing four or more events, there have been quite a few changes across the overall rankings. Datchet Flyer winner Ben Flower (Laser (ILCA 7) - Paignton SC), still holds onto the top spot, despite missing the last two events due to Olympic campaign commitments.
Former Series winner Peter Gray (Osprey - Staunton Harold SC), crewed by Geoff Edwards, jumps eight places to second overall and just over 1 point away from the top spot. Also rising eight places are Brass Monkey winners Ollie Groves and Martin Penty (RS400 - Beaver SC).
There is potential for any of these three to win overall. So all set for a close finish...
Enter the Oxford Blue (the 9th and final event) at www.sailjuiceseries.com
Facebook Live - 7pm Monday, 13 February
Simon Lovesey and Andy Rice, series organisers, will be looking back through the events so far, and looking forward to the next, on Facebook Live. The winner of another Seldén R60 ratchet block will also be announced, based on which sailor's photo by series photographer Tim Olin has featured prominently in social media.
Watch the live show this Monday at www.facebook.com/SeldénSailJuiceWinterSeries
Watch the RYA video of the Tiger Trophy at Rutland Sailing Club, where Simon Hawkes sailed his K1 keelboat to overall victory...
Seldén SailJuice Winter Series 2022/23 Events:
- Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash, Draycote Water Sailing Club
20 & 21 November 2022
- Datchet Flyer, Datchet Water Sailing Club
3 & 4 December 2022
- Yorkshire Dales Brass Monkey, Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club
27 December 2022
- Burghfield Breezer, Burghfield Sailing Club
27 December 2022
- Grafham Grand Prix, Grafham Water Sailing Club
2 January 2023
- Bloody Mary, Queen Mary Sailing Club
7 January 2023
- King George Gallop, King George Sailing Club
21 January 2023
- John Merricks Tiger Trophy, Rutland Sailing Club
4 & 5 February 2023
- Oxford Blue, Oxford Sailing Club
18 February 2023
- Prizegiving at RYA Dinghy Show, Farnborough
25 February 2023
You can find out more about the series at www.SailJuiceSeries.com