Please select your home edition
Edition
Ovington 2021 - ILCA 2 - LEADERBOARD

GP14 Venetian Trophy at Fishers Green Sailing Club

by Godfrey Clark 17 Apr 2024 09:56 BST 13 April 2024
Maurice Cleal & Romek Kowalewski win the GP14 Venetian Trophy at Fishers Green © Charlie Cotter

On the 13th April, Fishers Green SC held the GP14 Venetian Trophy on behalf of the Welsh Harp Sailing Club while the Welsh Harp Reservoir remains drained for repairs. This is one the oldest trophies in the club and while an active contingent of GP14s are temporary resident at Fishers Green, it was a natural decision for FGSC to host the event.

The forecast was for a decent force 4 wind from the southwest, veering to west later and RO Godfrey Clark had noted the expected shift and considered likely changes of course later in the day. A decent 10, gusting 15 knots of breeze duly arrived with nice bright conditions for a typical FGSC figure 8 course.

The first race showed an early leader, with the red striped kite of Maurice Cleal/Romek Kowalewski who sped into a good lead after the top mark. However, Holyfield Lake gives fickle winds and it was the light blue kite of Steve Cooper and Liz Guest that suddenly appeared in the lead to take the win. The second morning race enjoyed the same wind but this time fortunes were reversed in favour of Maurice/Romek while the usual battles developed among the pursuers.

After lunch it was considered whether the wind had started to swing, with the flag on the committee boat flicking to the right as forecast, but then back to the left more than ever, so it was decided to leave the course the same. This time the team of Keith Street/Hannah Lipcott were the convincing leaders with their green/purple spinnaker well ahead of the pack. With the finish at the top mark, they found the last beat so shifty that they only just held on for the win, as three boats finished in five boat-lengths.

With 3 race winners it was all to play for, with the predicted wind veer still not in evidence the course remained the same. This time it was the blue kite of Street/Guest convincingly clear of the pack for the first lap until disaster struck in the form of a hideously tangled spinnaker. By the time this got resolved they had been swallowed up by the chasing pack and their bid for the trophy was lost.

Overall Results:

PosSail NoHelmCrewClubR1R2R3R4Pts
1st14253Maurice ClealRomek KowalewskiWelsh Harp SC‑21214
2nd14110Steve CooperLiz GuestWelsh Harp SC12‑525
3rd13787Keith StreetHannah LiptrotWelsh Harp SC4‑61510
4th13818Andy WadsworthCathy HowardWelsh Harp SC5‑73412
5th13237Tomek SzakolaMike AtkinsonWelsh Harp SC6‑84313
6th13472Sarah StreetLucy StreetWelsh Harp SC756(DNF)18
7th14149Tony PerkinsJohn McGuinessFrensham Pond SC33(DNC)DNC19
8th14200Sue TomkinsRoger JeffsWelsh Harp SC847(DNF)19
9th13299Jamie IslesAlexander RabbittWelsh Harp SC‑998623
10th13164Quentin DrainJohn O'SullivanWelsh Harp SC‑10109726
11th13471Steve BethelGuy HardenWelsh Harp SC12(DNF)10830
12th10Maurice FutermanMaria KareevaWelsh Harp SC11(DNF)11DNF35

Related Articles

Endeavour Trophy 2025 Event Video
Action from on the water, interviews with the sailors! The Endeavour Trophy is one of the most coveted in UK sailing, gathering National Champions for each dinghy class to battle it out at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club at Burnham-on-Crouch over an October weekend. Posted on 6 Oct
505 champs win Endeavour Trophy 2025
UK's Champion of Champions event sees gusts over 30 knots at Burnham-on-Crouch Big winds reaching over 30kts tested the 30 dinghy champions to the limit on Sunday and, with just four races to count with no discard, it was always going to be an interesting outcome. Posted on 6 Oct
Big winds stop play at Endeavour Trophy
Champion of champions' big event blasted by 50kt + winds It was supposed to be the opening day of racing for the Endeavour Trophy today, but with relentless strong winds reaching over 50kts in the gusts, Edwin Buckley and his team had no option other than postpone the racing until tomorrow. Posted on 4 Oct
64th Endeavour Trophy Welcomes New Melges 15
New chapter for dinghy champion of champions event at Burnham-on-Crouch Despite the threat of Storm Amy disrupting proceedings at the 64th Endeavour Trophy (3-5 October), a total of 30 national champions gathered at the Royal Corinthian YC, Burnham-on-Crouch this morning for the opening day's training session. Posted on 3 Oct
GP14 Scottish Championship at Castle Semple
An informal race for best Irish boat was also run The 2025 GP14 Scottish Championship took place at Castle Semple Sailing Club, SW of Glasgow, over the weekend of 6-7 September 2025. It was a small gathering of seven boats, but this did not dampen any enthusiasm. Posted on 30 Sep
Enduring 24 hours at West Lancs YC
In-depth coverage of the 2025 reboot of a classic dinghy racing event The 2025 reboot of this classic dinghy racing event surely lived up to its name as an endurance event. With just over a week to go there were grave faces around the bar at West Lancs YC as there were rumours of 57mph winds. Posted on 24 Sep
54th West Lancs 24 Hour Race
National Firefly Association triumphs Southport's iconic 24-Hour Dinghy Race came to a thrilling conclusion, with the National Firefly Association taking the coveted trophy after 24 hours of relentless, round-the-clock racing on Marine Lake. Posted on 22 Sep
GP14 Ireland Autumn Open and Youth Championship
A great showing from female and youth sailors, in a fleet of 20 boats On 13 September 2025, 20 GP14s launched from Blessington Sailing Club despite the blustery conditions and made their way out to the race area and across the start line to start the GP14 Autumn Open. Posted on 17 Sep
Team Toddbroccoli at the Southport 24 Hour Race
Toddbrook Sailing Club once again turned out in style for the famous race! Toddbrook Sailing Club once again turned out in style for the famous Southport 24 Hour Race, hosted by West Lancashire Yacht Club. Posted on 17 Sep
GP14 Northern Bell series at West Kirby
Someone was lying GP sailing is a nice and calm sail... they said! You stay dry when sailing a GP... they said! Someone was lying to me! Posted on 12 Sep