GP14 World Championships 2012 day 1

by Matthew Thursfield on 13 Aug 2012 When the entry opened for the 2012 Aigua Charter GP14 World Championships back in August 2011 at the nationals in Abersoch, it was beyond all expectations that the 130 boat limit would be reached, let alone six months before the event kicked off.

With a huge amount of behind the scenes organisation, as well a massive operation by Looe Sailing club to get all boats berthed and ready to race, today was the day it all came together. With a South Westerly force 2-3 breeze blowing onshore, the Race Officer for the championships, Roger Hocking, was able to set a long beat toward St George’s Island with the subsequent triangle / sausage course taking the sailors back to Millendreath.

With such a large fleet it was apt for a short familiarisation race, with a gate start being opened by Richard Instone. Being only a one lap taster, it just gave those crews a chance to work out how to deal with the irregular four foot swell as well as the tide which was flooding to a peak at 1.48pm.

This meant that the first race of the Worlds, jointly sponsored by HD Sails and Creation Covers, was to be started on slack water, and raced on an ebbing tide.

First out the gate was Colin Rainback crewed by Andrew Burge, by getting out early gave them control of their own destiny. By the time the windward mark was being approached for the first of three times, it was apparent that the early starters, who were almost forced to go left, had come out well; Richie Bennett & Sarah Davies, Sam Blocksidge & Connie Hicklin, just two of those who had popped their kites ahead of some of the main protagonists of the Worlds.

As the fleet made their way downwind, trying to catch the swell, it was an opportunity for those who had been caught out on the beat to cut their way through the fleet. By the time the first triangle had come to an end, Andy 'Taxi' Davis & Andy Hateley, the current GP14 Inland Champions, as well as sailmaker and business partner of HD sails, had pulled away for a lead they were not to relinquish.

Behind them, the who’s who of the GP fleet were doing their utmost to reel them in before the finish line; Ian Dobson & Andy Tunnicliffe beginning the defence of their World title crossed in second, third being taken by Matt Burge & Richie Wagstaff.

Taking silver honours for the first time this week were Sam Blocksidge and Connie Hicklin just missing out on a top ten finish, coming in 11th; their closest rivals being Daniel and Hugh Gill in 20th. Leading the Bronze fleet home in this one were Lee Tennant and Finn O’Hirley with a top 50 finish, the only bronze fleeter to do so.

The forecast for day two is for a stronger breeze than today, with gusts topping 20mph from the South. It will be interesting to see if the windier conditions favour those crews who carry a bit more muscle!

GP14 Worlds 2012 website