GP14 Venetian Trophy at Welsh Harp Sailing Club

GP14 Venetian Trophy at Welsh Harp © Luke Howard

Starting the 2023 season with a bang the GP14 Southern Travellers held their second Open meeting in seven days with 22 crews turning out in London to compete for the magnificent Venetian Trophy. Visitors from Brixham, Frensham Pond, Papercourt, Wembley and Hunts SC joined a strong local contingent for a four race Open.

The forecast was for 15 to 18 knots from the north-east which is always a tricky ask at Welsh Harp with a constant question of whether to go high or stay low on both windward and downwind legs.

After a typically piratical briefing Roger Walton set the first course with a short windward beat to the first mark and then a round-the cans course making full use of the kilometre long Brent reservoir. With a true start line and a short leg the first two legs were interesting with Steve Cooper and Lucy Street (WHSC) getting away followed by a large group who, with spinnakers setting, got involved with luffing matches with the main group ending up sailing into soft spots on the northern shore while a number of more canny boats took a leeward line reaching the mark before the frustrated gaggle of luffers.

Keith Street & Hannah Liptrot, Jamie Isles & Michal Szady (both WHSC) and David Innes & Paul Trubridge (Frensham Pond) rounded with smiles on their faces with hot favourite Maurice Cleal & Romek Kowalewski (Wembley SC) leading the chasing pack. Steve & Lucy led to the finish with David & Paul coming through to take second from Jamie & Michal.

With the wind freshening the second start featured a bit more port bias and the first beat appeared to benefit those starting at the pin-end and going left along the dam. Maurice & Romek led from the start with Tom Fletcher & Hannah Rose (Hunts/WHSC) took second from Steve & Lucy in third, Keith & Hannah in fourth and Tony Perkins & Silas Caie (Frensham Pond) in fifth.

Lunch, as always at the Harp, was excellent with a civilised break for those of us who need a good rest after two races!

Race three was led off by Ruslan Scutelnic & Caro Mitchell (WHSC) chased by Tom & Hannah, Keith & Hannah, Steve & Lucy, with David & Paul holding off Maurice & Romek and Tony & Silas. With the wind dropping again the hi - lo strategy choice became even more important as did clear air and David & Paul came through on the last downwind leg to take the win from Tom & Hannah and Scooter & Caro.

With three different race winners, rumours of protests and rising tensions there was everything to play for in the fourth and last race. David & Paul led around the first mark but were overtaken by Tony & Silas and Steve & Lucy who took first and second resulting in four different race winners but with a lot of shouting going on things were not as they seemed.

Three protests were announced with visitors Tony & Silas from Frensham losing their race win with a DSQ. Steve Cooper & Lucy Street won on countback from David Innes & Paul Trubridge with the very consistent Keith Street & Hannah Liptrott taking third.

Tom Fletcher & Hannah Rose won the silver fleet and Charlie Cotter & Lucy Barrie won the Bronze fleet

GP14 Venetian Trophy at Welsh Harp - photo © Luke Howard

Overall Results: