Musto GP14 Masters Championship and Open Meeting at South Cerney Sailing Club

Adam and Tim McGovern during the GP14 Masters Championship at South Cerney © SCSC

Malcolm James and William Hancock during the GP14 Masters Championship at South Cerney © SCSC

South Cerney Sailing Club, within the Cotswolds gravel pit water park, welcomed the GP14 fleet for the South Cerney GP14 open and the Musto National Masters Championship.

The competitors came from as far away as Hollingworth Lake, Red Wharf Bay, Welsh Harp in London and the Midlands, Cardiff Bay YC and LLangedfedd Lake SC.

The Saturday had 2 boats that could only sail the open, possible due to the age restrictions of the Masters. David Lucas and Robyn Taylor were practising for the Youth Championship later in the season. Four races were planned with the warning signal at 12.55, with 2 races back to back in for a comfort break and then back out again. With the first 2 races counting towards the Masters Championship.

The forecast had limited the entry with one boat deciding to bail the night before.

Strong, gusty and shifty winds with rain were the order of the day for the South Cerney Open and the Masters Championship. 12 boats launched, undeterred and soon the capsizes began, keeping the rescue team busy helping sailors get their masts out of the mud. The u flag kept everyone in order, with 6 clear starts and no one U flagged!

The boats raced the first 2 races with the McGovern father and son pair taking 2 bullets, and 11 boats went out for the final races of the day. Paul and Tom Simes decided to remain on shore and have a warm drink whilst watching the others battle the course.

Adam and Tim McGovern were under pressure to equal brother Matthew's win in 2024 at Welsh Harp. Making it look easy, they won the Open with three bullets, discarding a second, followed by Graham Flynn and Frank Nickless, snatching second place in race 3.

The race officer Paul Kimmens set a great course with plenty of challenges, (and navigational skills for some!) keeping the line and buoys true, with 2 beats, several reaches and interesting gybes (separating the proverbial men from the boys, or wheat from the chaff)!

Everyone came in soaked, some more tired than others after four hard races to be met with offers of clothes drying and an already hot barbecue, courtesy of Jonny Stevens, who did a great job organising and managing the event whilst also keeping up with babysitting duties. The volunteers in the galley kept everybody beautifully fed and watered.

The South Cerney GP14 results and prize-giving was held, the bar remained open and the BBQ was in constant use. The lawn became a camping ground with tents going up. Although there were rumours of sleeping bodies being in the changing rooms.

Open Meeting Results:

Sunday brought plenty of wind and less rain for the second day of the Masters, with races 1 and 2 to count from the day before and two more races to sail. Soon the familiar sight of upturned hulls littered the landscape, the wind taking no prisoners. One more bullet secured an overall win for the Mc.Governs and they headed for home and dry clothes, leaving the rest of the pack to fight it out. The two leaders lost their way conceding first place to Malcolm and William and a worthy second place to Paul Trubridge and Matt Hall who made a great comeback after an early capsize.

Thanks to South Cerney for a great welcome and fantastic sailing.

Musto GP14 Masters Championship Results:

Adam and Tim McGovern win the GP14 Masters Championship at South Cerney - photo © Tim Hall