2007 GPS Team Racing Championships

by Drew HuttonSmith on 26 Mar 2007 On Saturday 24th March, teams from The Southport School, Brisbane Grammar School, Anglican Church Grammar School and Brisbane Boys College came together on the Gold Coast Broadwater to contest the 2007 Great Public Schools Team Racing Championships.

With a forecast of light East to Northeast breeze, the day began under a postponement, with the first heats underway nearly an hour behind schedule. The breeze eventually filled in from the Southeast and continued to steady and intensify as it gradually shifted Northeast through the afternoon. Three round robins were scheduled for the A Division and two rounds for the B Division, however racing for the B Fleet was suspended after the first round to ensure all three would be completed for the A fleet with the time remaining.

Racing was held on a port hand box course with the start/finish halfway up the windward leg. Mark 3 was only metres from shore and an ideal vantage point for the ever increasing spectator crowd that swelled through the afternoon. As expected the racing was aggressive, competitive and of a very high standard. No breakdowns were experienced and no extraordinary penalties were awarded.

Eventually the clear leaders began to emerge, and it was obvious that the real race for the trophy would be heat 24, Churchie vs BBC. This was the only heat to produce any controversy, where a Churchie skipper requested redress due to interference by an Umpire. The Umpires took testimony from the skipper on the water, deliberated at length and eventually made the decision to reject the request BBC won the heat and the regatta.

The 2007 GPS Sailing Championships were conducted by The Southport School Sailing Club on behalf of the Great Public Schools Association of Queensland. TSSSC and all the competitors would like to thank the following for their support and assistance: Brisbane Grammar School for the supply of the Puffin Pacers, GPS Sport and the GPS Sailing Committee for their organization, all the MIC’s and Coaches of the participating schools for their commitment and professionalism, the Gold Coast City Council for provision of the venue and assistance with utilities, The TSS Friends of Sailing Committee for their extraordinary effort in planning, arranging and executing all shorebased requirements for the regatta, The Boardwalk Café at Surfers Paradise for donation of all the fresh produce for the regatta field kitchen, and Paddy Oliver, Laurie Jarman and Tom Johns for Umpiring the event. Thank you all very much.

GPS A DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP

FIRST - BRISBANE BOYS COLLEGE, 7 WINS 2 LOSSES, 86 POINTS
SECOND - ANGLICAN CHURCH GRAMMAR, SCHOOL 5 WINS 4 LOSSES, 87 POINTS
THIRD - THE SOUTHPORT SCHOOL, 3 WINS 6 LOSSES, 108 POINTS

GPS B DIVISION REGATTA

FIRST - BRISBANE GRAMMAR SCHOOL, 3 WINS 0 LOSSES, 25 POINTS
SECOND - BRISBANE BOYS COLLEGE, 2 WINS 1 LOSS, 31 POINTS
THIRD - THE SOUTHPORT SCHOOL, 1 WIN 2 LOSSES, 36 POINTS