GP14 Scottish and Borders Travellers at Annandale SC
by Duncan Greenhalgh on 24 Apr 2012
GP14 Class Association
http://www.gp14.co.uk/
The Scottish and Borders Travellers circuit started last weekend at Annandale Sailing Club. The twelve boat GP14 fleet shared the event with National 12’s also mustering twelve boats for their Scottish Championship to make it an excellent regatta as usual on and off the water.
Six races were staged over the two days with most of the competitors travelling from Derwent Reservoir and Castle Semple along with the home club sailors.
Although dry and largely sunny, conditions were tricky for the racers with sudden, strong gusts keeping everyone on their toes on the Saturday and Sunday’s lighter, but even more fickle wind shifts testing patience and nerves, for all including race officer Andrew Greenhalgh.
The north easterly breeze meant some chilly hours on the water too, but Annandale SC’s usual generous hospitality on shore, including a curry supper on the Saturday night, meant competitors soon warmed up.
The fleet were vying for top spot with much place changing taking place in each race but there was a decisive winner, Dave and Jackie Gebbard from Derwent Reservoir who won the first five races, securing the overall win.
The next four or five place were, however, hard fought with much shifting of position throughout the weekend.
Second overall was eventually secured by Derwent’s Justin Smith with his Annandale SC crew Colin Quint. Third overall was Annandale’s Carol Beattie and Jill Dobbie and the fourth spot was taken by Colin Midgley of Derwent with another Annandale crew, Duncan Greenhalgh.
The series moves on to Largs next for the Scottish Areas Championship over the weekend of 19 and 20 May great opportunity to get some sea sailing practice and a preview of the venue for 2013 National.
Other events in the Scottish and Borders are:
14 and 15 July joining the Northern Area at Derwent Reservoir SC
28 and 29 July again joining the Northerns at Bassenthwaite SC
8 and 9 September we get the ferry across to Arran YC
6 and 7 October the series come to a climax at Castle Semple
GP14 website
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