Allen 29er GP1 at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy

Allen 29er GP1 at the WPNSA © 29er Class Association

The first event of the new sailing season for the UK 29er class was held over the weekend of the 16th and 17th September. A fantastic 55 boats were in attendance with a mix of brand new sailors to the class and some old faces who had returned for the highly competitive racing the fleet offers.

The fleet was composed of 14 all female teams and 16 mixed teams, demonstrating the breadth of the sailors currently in the class - it's safe to say the fleet is booming!

Allen 29er GP1 at the WPNSA - photo © 29er Class Association

The forecast for the weekend was near to perfect for those sailors who had recently transitioned into the class. Race 1 set the precedent of the day with a left favored course and newcomer Joe Wimpory, sailing with old hat Jamie Gatehouse pull a blinding first downwind leg to take the lead and continue to extend all the way to the finish, James Crossley and Amelie Hiscocks put pressure on during the last downward leg but couldn't catch them and took 2nd. Seasoned sailors, but new pairing, Finn Morris and Ollie Vines took third place.

In Race 2 the breeze had dropped slightly but this didn't take away from the fact that the left was where the gains were. After getting off the line towards the pin end the next decision for the leading pack was when to tack back. Downwind gave some big opportunity for overtakes as the more variable conditions brought some gusts down the right which could be capitalized on. Charlie and Sam led from the top closely followed by Annabelle Vines and Maddie Bolbrough with James and Amelie in the chase not far behind.

Allen 29er GP1 at the WPNSA - photo © 29er Class Association

Race 3 saw a break in the consistent left course as the wind started to track round to the right with some shifts thrown in for good measure. Charlie and Sam took their second bullet of the day with James and Amelie coming in second, closely followed by Joe and Jamie.

Amelie and James sail a blinding race in Race 4 only to find they had been UFD for being over in the lead up to the start as they crossed the line. First place therefore went to Joe and Jamie who were hot on their heels with new pairing, Charlie Gatehouse and Sam Tonks a close second and in third place was Maddie and Annabelle.

Allen 29er GP1 at the WPNSA - photo © 29er Class Association

Sunday saw a delay to the racing as a full breeze greeted the sailors. Just as the wind decreased thunderbolts and lightning rolled in leaving the sailors on shore twitching to hit the breeze. By 1pm the race officer gave the all clear to launch and the fleet went out in a big 25 knot breeze. The right was the place to be following the breeze and Charlie and Sam smashed the start and tanked all the way round to take the bullet. Alex and Max Sydenham, having put in some strong positions on day 1, finally hit the top 3 and took second place with Rob Mawsley and Oscar Morgan-Harris taking third showing that leverage gives all the gain in the big breeze.

The final race of the day, and the weekend, saw a significant decrease in breeze to sub 10 knots. The experienced racers were quick with their rig adjustments reacting to the changing conditions and this paid in the overall standings. Annabelle and Maddie were steaming into the lead when a sneaky change of course came into play - not quite quick enough to react and a slight overlay meant that James and Amelie were able to sneak past on the final mark of the course and take the win with Laura Elms and Jess Charlsworth in second place closely followed by Charlie and Sam.

Allen 29er GP1 at the WPNSA - photo © 29er Class Association

The overall results were tight with 2 points separating the top 2. Charlie and Sam's exceptional sailing and 3 bullets across the series saw them take the win with James and Amelie a close 2nd. Third place was Joe and Jamie who sailed a solid series.

Annabelle and Maddie once again sailed a blinding series and won the female competition with Laura and Jess in second and new pairing Ella Lightbody and Holly Mitchell in third.

The junior places were filled with all newcomers to the fleet and all sailors made their mark with some cracking races and results. Top Junior sailors were Jac Bailey and Ben Sinfield, in second was Dirk Rogers and William Mcewen and in third, female sailors Freya Hutchinson and Joanna Macalister.

The prize-giving, kindly sponsored by Allen, was the great way to round off a fantastic weekend and to thank WPNSA for being a brilliant host, the parents for their endless support and the brilliant partnership Allen has with the 29er class.

We look forward to the next event; GP2 in Pwllheli on 14/15 October.

Overall Results: