Allen GP14 National Championship at South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club - Days 1 & 2

Allen GP14 Nationals at Aberoch © Richard Craig / www.SailPics.co.uk

The championships surfed off with two practice starts in 7-9 knots of breeze from the South. The first indicating that a hard left strategy paid and the second looking as though the pathfinder would win the first beat by miles.

Into the first championship race and the wind had swung back to favour the left with GP14 newbies Russ and Ali Cormack (Budworth Sailing Club) having a comfortable lead round the first mark, with GP14 returnee Jeremy Davy with Eithan Plank (Draycote Sailing Club) in an equally comfortable second. These two boats were never challenged and sailed away to finish in that order.

Further back in the fleet there was an almighty tussle for third place with Ross Kearney and Ed Bradburn (RNYC and South Staffs SC) coming through in the end. The racing was close wherever you were in the fleet and no quarter was given in the battle for the elusive top ten places. These included silver fleet sailors Jack Lewis and Szymon Matyjaszczuk (Welsh Harp SC) in a very creditable 8th place. Also going well was Josh Bennet and Bryn Abernstern (Todbrook SC) 1st Bronze and 25th overall.

Allen GP14 Nationals at Aberoch - photo © Richard Craig / www.SailPics.co.uk

Day two dawned with brilliant sunshine and a steady 10-15 knots over the race course. The Race officer opted for the traditional Triangle / Sausage course for Race 2, the wind built during the race to awesome levels. This gave everyone a chance to smile whilst planing on the reaches and sometimes on the run. As the breeze grew the amount of swimming increased as boats struggled to manage the tricky conditions.

Pathfinders Sam Watson and Andy Thompson (Nantwich & Borders SC and East Antrim BC) set off for the first start to be abandoned after 20 seconds or so, as the gate mark wasn't ready to be thrown. Sam and Andy came at it again and then thought Christmas had come early as they gradually lifted into a comfortable lead and were never bothered by the rest of the fleet thereafter. This was partially helped by the early starters misreading the tide and the shortness of the beat, resulting in a large group of the boats reaching into the Mark on port. Needless to say the first rounding at the windward mark somewhat chaotic. Following Sam and Andy in the lead, eye witnesses on the support boats were taking careful note of the use of pumping down the waves in the very disturbed conditions.

Following the race leaders were OK legend Jim Hunt with Liz Senior (South Staffs SC) and James Goodfellow with Rick Cornes (Harwich town SC and Burghfield SC).

Allen GP14 Nationals at Aberoch - photo © Richard Craig / www.SailPics.co.uk

The wind continued to build in to the top end of a solid 4Force 5 before Race 3 and the race officer (Chris Hoppings) opted to make life simpler by removing the downwind leg and ensuring that the reaches weren't too tight, an excellent decision given the conditions, following some spectacular death roles on the downwind.

It was Watson / Thompson again picking through to win from Jonny Sinclair and Derek Hill (West Lancs Yacht Club), with Goodfellow / Cornes in third, finishing the race capsized!

Further down the fleet a good few opted to two sail reach, which whilst less exciting reduced the risk of a very slow capsize.

Tuesday was forecast stronger, and sure enough whilst the race team were keen to have a look and try to get us under way, as the sand blew down the beech there was little enthusiasm for breaking boats in the Force 6 gusting 7 among the majority of the fleet. The Race officer hoisted the AP over A before most boats had taken their covers off. Relief amongst the Silver and Bronze fleets was palpable. So the lay day was a day earlier and Wednesday promises more moderate breeze again in sunshine. Champagne for all!

Results after Day 2: