RS400 Grand Prix at Gurnard SC

by James French on 12 May 2011 Gul RS400 Grand Prix at Gurnard SC. An anxious fleet of 26 RS 400s made the journey for the Gul RS400 Grand Prix. The Grand Prix took place from 7th May to 8th May with southeast winds blowing 10-15kts and a growing tide that made for some tricky racing.

The first race was won by Chris Jennings and Ed Nicklin closely chased by Ben Willows and Jess Olden. Some tight racing ensued back in the pack with James and Judith French just sneaking into third. The pin end start was the way to go for the second race. With the wind going round to the left up the first beat the yellow boat of Kevin Podger and Heather Chipperfield, having won the pin, crossed the fleet and never looked back!

It was again Chris and Ed leading the chasing pack with Ben and Jess in third. For the last race of the day the tide had really stepped up a gear, switching the bias up to the committee boat end. It was Brett Aarons and Robbie Southwell who capitalised on this and went on to win the race. Again it was a very consistent Ben and Jess who took second with Paul Bowen and Shaun Kellett taking third.

After a great day of racing a hungry bunch of 400 sailors were welcomed back to the club for a dinner hosted by the sailing clubs youth match racing team. Being a bit inexperienced in the catering field they didn’t realise quite how much a 400 sailor can eat! The incredibly generous 400 fleet helped them raise £600; one flight to America. With all the competitors refueled, it wasn’t long before the competition started again, this time in the form of a paper airplane distance challenge. With the prize of the alcoholic variety, competition was incredibly fierce!

Just getting to Sundays racing was a bit of a challenge, a strong eastbound tide made the beat round into Thorness Bay a long affair. The first race started in 12-15kts. Everybody was so keen to get to the shore for tidal relief that a general recall was needed as half the fleet was over at the pin.

The second start got away cleanly with the pin being won by the mother and son team of James and Judith French. Getting to the shore first paid off and they carried on to win the race. The ever reliable Ben and Jess finished second with Paul and Shaun in third. The breeze built to 15-20kts for the second race, allowing some different sailors to show the way. The freshening breeze made for some interesting moments, with a good few boats going for a swim! The local duo of Paul and Shaun were in their element and raced ahead to record their first race win.

Behind them was the unstoppable Ben and Jess with Howard Farbrother and Dan Martin in third. For the final race of the event it was the resurgent Paul and Shaun who took the race win from Howard and Dan in second. A big thank you to all the competitors, Gurnard SC and especially our race officer Ian Lallow who kindly came equipped with his own committee boat!

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