GP14 open meeting at Bolton Sailing Club

GP14 open meeting at Bolton © Matt Watkiss

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.

Race officer, Andy Flitcroft started promptly at 11:00am, setting a windward - leeward course with a wing mark the full length of the reservoir. 30 seconds before the start the wind backed from south east to east turning a well laid first leg from a beat to a port fetch. The Waddingtons and Courtneys were the first to tack onto port and were first and second around the first mark.

Julie and Chris Waddington then pulled out a good lead on the long run over the rest of the fleet, as Graeme and Julie Courtney had to fend of the chasing boats. On the second beat Platt / Jobson got past the Courtneys and set of in hot pursuit of the Waddingtons. As the two lead boats re-appeared from behind the island, the Waddingtons cover of Mark Platt and Chris Jobson was too loose allowing them to show superior boat speed and slip through to leeward into the lead. Julie and Chris kept the pressure on until the end, however Mark and Chris held on with the Waddingtons taking second and the Courtneys third.

GP14 open meeting at Bolton - photo © Matt Watkiss

Following a wholesome lunch of pasta bake, the fleet were back out on the water.

A square line encouraged the boats to be evenly distributed and the fleet got away cleanly. Sam Platt and Zena Martin got the best start and appeared to have a controlling position over the majority of the fleet. Those with poorer starts tacked away off to port at the earliest opportunity, ducking starboard boats where necessary and found themselves sailing into a new a strengthening breeze from the right side of the beat that also veered slightly into the south. Mark Platt and Chris Jobson were the principal beneficiaries, rounding the windward mark first and pulling out a commanding lead whilst the rest of the fleet scrapped it out behind.

Gary Deighan and Dale Knowles improved from their poor first race performance to show that whilst form is temporary, class is permanent to take second. The husband and wife teams fought hard for third place and the finish was too close to call with the unusual occurrence of a tie for third place. This sent official scorer, Andrew Craig into a bit of a tailspin, which could only be cured by a stiff, medicinal brandy and a bit of addition and division.

GP14 open meeting at Bolton - photo © Matt Watkiss

The third race was meant to be a quick turn around, but once the cakes appeared all seem to feel any rushing was a little unnecessary. PRO Andy, brought everyone to heel and after a general recall, the dreaded "Black Flag" appeared. Nick Brook and Rhiann Bramwell from Hollingworth kept their cool to make the best start, as others took a more cautious approach. Nick and Rhiann led around the first mark pursued by Sam and Zena. It was as the fleet sailed serenely down the first run, that Aeolus had his fun.

From a cloudless sky, a huge 25 knot gust descended vertically to capsize three boats including our own Northern Area Rep, Hender and crew Josh "Top Gun" Ryznar. Nick and Rhiann were propelled at some speed to the leeward mark. Nick and Rhian in their new Winder boat powered by Goacher sails had impressive speed and looked comfortably in control.

They however had an Achilles Heel, every time the wind speed dropped below 5 knots they struggled to change the gears. Sam and Zena had no such problems and moved into the lead and take line honours, followed by Mark and Chris who secured second. Just behind, the battle for second overall was being fought out between the Waddingtons and the Courtneys. Whilst the Courtneys took third place in the race, it was not enough to stop the Waddingtons taking second overall and they had to be satisfied with third overall.

GP14 open meeting at Bolton - photo © Matt Watkiss

Nick Brook and Rhiann Bramwell from Hollingworth were winners of the Silver fleet in sixth overall with Tom Partridge and Dom Lloyd from Burwain second in the Silver fleet.

Supernova Ace, Corin Bamford with Brother Innis from Huddersfield were winners of the Bronze fleet in ninth overall with Simon Henshall and Faye Cleaver from Budworth second in the Bronze fleet.

A great day's sailing with competitive close racing throughout the fleet.

Photos of the event by Matt Watkiss: photos.app.goo.gl/zEasia563KgbnGDY6

GP14 open meeting at Bolton - photo © Matt Watkiss

Overall Results:

GP14 open meeting at Bolton - photo © Matt Watkiss