GP14 Open at Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club

Hollingworth Lake GP14 Open prize winners, together with the Phantom winners © Graham Knox

Boats from as far afield as Derwent Reservoir joined the home fleet for the annual GP14 open meeting with many using it as a final chance to hone their racing ahead of the National Championship which is fast approaching. With a wet and windy forecast some boats decided not to make the trip, but those that did enjoyed a fantastic day on the water.

Race one got under way with most of the fleet trying to win the starboard end of the line but it was Bryn Abendstern & Lewis Coppinger from Toddbrook SC who port tacked the fleet and flew into an early lead. Mark & Tom Platt from Bolton SC and home sailor Adam McGovern sailing with Ellie Wheeldon from South Staffs SC went in pursuit of the early leaders. A gripping three-way battle for the lead played out with many lead changes and eventually Mark & Tom took the win by the smallest of margins on the finish from Adam & Ellie with Bryn & Lewis 3rd.

In race two Adam & Ellie rounded first with Mark & Tom close behind, getting into the big breeze first these two quickly established a big lead and boat on boat match race was starting to play out. At the end of the first lap with both boats converging on the leeward mark, Mark & Tom approached on starboard with Adam & Ellie on port but inside boat. Unfortunately, a gust caught Mark & Tom out and they capsized with Adam & Ellie just about avoiding them and going on to take the win. Bryn & Lewis again sailed well to take a comfortable 2nd and fellow Toddbrook sailors Edward Washington & Alex Bowden held off the challenge of Zena Martin & Leanne Pilkington (Bolton SC) to come home 3rd.

After a short lunch break to allow sailors to recover from a windy morning the third race got under way. Adam & Ellie managed to go clear and take the win after another great battle with Mark and Tom who came in 2nd. They had been pushed all the way to the finish by Bryn & Lewis who sailed another great race to finish 3rd and secure their place on the podium for the event.

Going into the final race the event was still up for grabs however Adam & Ellie manged to get a great start and sail clear of the pack to win the race and the event overall. After another good start Bryn and Lewis rounded second closely followed by Mark & Tom and Edward & Alex. After a close battle it ended up with Mark & Tom in 2nd with Edward & Alex 3rd. A special well done the home clubs class captain Nichola Thomason sailing with Richard Mason finishing strong to take 5th place in the final race their best result of the day! The consistency prize must however go to Zena and Leanne who finished 4th in every race.

Overall Results:

1st Adam McGovern & Ellie Wheeldon (Hollingworth Lake SC & South Staff SC)
2nd Mark & Tom Platt (Bolton SC)
3rd Bryn Abendstern & Lewis Coppinger (Toddbrook SC)