GP14 Midland Bell Travellers Series at Nantwich & Border Counties Sailing Club

by Sam Samuel & Oliver Dumbelton 16 Apr 07:21 BST 11-12 April 2026

The Midland Bell GP14 Travellers Series started on the 11th and 12th April making a splash at Nantwich & Border Counties Sailing Club with a training day led by Sam Watson (3x Youth National Champion and National GP14 Champion with Andy Thompson in 2019), followed by the first open event of the year.

Reports and photos from both days below.

GP14 Association Training day: Skill, Community, and all conditions!, by Sam Samuel

The GP14 (General Purpose 14ft) remains one of the UK's most beloved and enduring two-person dinghies. Designed in 1949, its stable hull, manageable sail plan, and versatility make it ideal for everything from beginner training to high-level racing. It is this balance that continues to draw sailors of all abilities to GP14 Open Meetings and competitive regattas that bring together clubs from across the region. The recent GP14 Open Training Day at Nantwich and Boarders Sailing Club captured the very essence of the class: inclusive, challenging, and deeply community-driven.

The morning began under grey, drizzly skies, but spirits were anything but dampened. The car park quickly filled as trailers arrived and boats were rigged along the foreshore. By 10am, the clouds had begun to lift, and with the welcome addition of sunshine came the comforting aroma of bacon butties, thanks to Jim and Louise, who kept the kettle on and the atmosphere warm.

One of the day's highlights was the mix of sailors in attendance. Visiting members from neighbouring clubs, including Dave and Rich from Winsford Flash SC who are relatively new to the GP14 scene (pictured below right on the water in 13524), joined more seasoned competitors such as Lesley and Sue, Midland representative of the GP14 Class Association, visiting from Trimpley. It was equally encouraging to see a strong junior turnout with Thomas, Fin and Tessa from Nantwich &BSC and Alex from Shropshire SC, young sailors embracing the opportunity with enthusiasm and energy, supported by Richard Binns, to ensure boat rigging was right for the conditions.

Coaching for the day was led by guest expert Sam Watson whose approachable style and depth of experience made a lasting impression. Particularly inspiring was his reflection on how Nantwich and Borders had supported him early in his sailing journey, and his genuine desire to give back to the club.

The training itself was thoughtfully structured, blending classroom sessions with land and on-the-water drills to adapt to the challenging conditions on the day; gusting to high 20 mph with very changeable directions. Sailors worked through a wide range of skills, from fundamental boat handling to more advanced techniques, such as start line tactics and spinnaker work. Strong winds throughout the day provided the perfect conditions for practising heavy weather sailing (and capsize recovery!) - challenging, but hugely rewarding.

A welcome midday pause came in the form of a delicious lunch, kindly prepared by Le-Ann Walker, giving everyone a chance to refuel and share experiences before heading back out for the afternoon session.

True to British sailing form, the weather delivered a full spectrum - rain, sunshine, cloud, hail, and even a thunderstorm warning. Swallows made their first appearance of the year overhead, while ducks and swans shared the water, adding to the sense of being part of something quietly special.

This was more than just a training day. It was a reminder of what makes the GP14 class so enduring: a unique blend of competition, camaraderie, and a willingness to learn and support one another.

GP14 Midland Bell Series - Nantwich & Border Counties SC Report, by Oliver Dumbelton

The GP14 Midland Bell series began on Sunday 12 April at Nantwich and Border Counties Sailing Club, where ten crews took to the water, encouraged by a forecast of a low chance of rain and a steady 15mph south-westerly - ideal conditions to shake off any lingering winter cobwebs.

The day delivered almost exactly as predicted. The breeze eased slightly as racing progressed, with manageable gusts and no sign of the expected rain. The wind direction meant the trees along the far edge of the lake affected the outermost section of the course, creating some tricky buoy roundings, though the bandstand area remained out of play.

Race Officer Paul Scott and his team set excellent courses featuring the usual mix of beats, reaches and runs. Crews had plenty to think about, especially when choosing whether to hoist spinnakers—balancing the potential gains against the risks of sailing too near the tree induced wind shadow. Small mistakes, like missing a minor shift or gambling too close to the disturbed air, could be costly, but the racing remained close and competitive throughout the fleet.

At the front, Pete & Dawn and Oliver & Thomas (JNR) took first and second respectively, with Pete and Dawn—reigning Midland Bell champions—once again demonstrating consistency and experience to take the overall win. Visitors and GP14 class royalty Keith Budden and Charles Saunders secured third place, followed by John and Kate Bate in fourth.

After racing, Sailing Captain Richard Binns thanked the race team and safety crews, and offered special appreciation to Le Ann Walker and Sophia for keeping everyone well fed - bacon rolls in the morning and a very welcome lasagne lunch. Prizes for the day's racing were then presented, followed by the delayed prize-giving for the 2025 Midland Bell series, which had been postponed due to the cancellation of last year's final open meeting.

Thank you to all that contributed to the weekend and the above write ups. Our next open is at Tamworth SC on 16 May, details of how to enter will be shared shortly. Please email to be added to our Midland Bell Travellers WhatsApp group for all the latest updates.