GP14 Youth and Masters Championships 2026 at The Chase Sailing Club

Matt and Tim McGovern - Masters Championships at The Chase SC © Tate Family

Light Winds, Big Competition and a Championship to Remember

Four races, shifting winds, a lively Saturday night and some hard-fought championship racing made for a memorable weekend as the GP14 fleet descended on The Chase Sailing Club for the 2026 Youth and Masters Championships.

The stage was set for the 2026 GP14 Youth and Masters Championships, with competitors travelling from all corners of the country, and even Ireland, to enjoy a weekend of racing, camaraderie and the opportunity to claim championship glory.

Among those making the journey was the ever-popular Hugh Gill, who travelled all the way from Ireland to join the fleet. It was an absolute pleasure to welcome him, and his presence added to the fantastic spirit of the weekend.

With high pressure firmly established over the Midlands, the forecast was hardly promising. Four to six knots of breeze, occasionally gusting to eight or ten, was expected throughout the weekend, with conditions predicted to deteriorate further as the afternoons progressed.

For Officer of the Day Paul Lester, it was going to be a weekend requiring careful decisions, quick thinking and, perhaps, a little luck.

Grahan Flynn and Frank Nickless - Masters Championships at The Chase SC - photo © Tate Family

Saturday - A promising start

Saturday morning saw competitors busy rigging their boats and preparing for the championship. With 13 boats in the fleet, anticipation was building ahead of the first start.

Following the 10.30am briefing, Paul was keen to get racing under way at 11am, knowing that by 3pm the forecast suggested there could be virtually nothing left in the breeze.

To keep proceedings moving and discourage competitors from pushing the line, the race team announced that the U flag would be used for the starts. Anyone judged over the line would be disqualified unless the race was subject to a general recall.

Harsh? Perhaps. Necessary? Absolutely, given the ambition to complete six races over the weekend. The first race got under way, although the fleet's enthusiasm proved a little too much for the start line, resulting in a general recall. Back to the start line they went for attempt number two, and this time the fleet managed to get away cleanly.

The wind, however, had other ideas. Shifting round to the north, the first beat quickly became more of a fetch, creating plenty of opportunities for boats to change places throughout the fleet. The conditions certainly kept crews on their toes, with some excellent tactical sailing and close competition on display.

Taking the opening race victory were Matt and Timothy McGovern, followed by Neil Davis and Michelle Evans from The Chase Sailing Club in second, with Andy Smith and Ali Rimmer taking third.

With race one completed, the race team quickly reset the course, but the breeze had already begun to disappear. The AP flag was raised, and the decision was made to send the fleet ashore for an early lunch. Fortunately, the excellent galley team had everything under control, providing a welcome lunch for competitors and families while everyone waited for the breeze to return.

The afternoon - The disappearing breeze

Following an extended lunch break, a few ripples began to appear on the water. With the pressure of getting the championship completed firmly in mind, Paul made the call to get the fleet back afloat and attempt race two.

There may have been a few questioning faces among the competitors as they headed back out into the light airs, but the determination of the race team was clear.

Race two got away cleanly, but the breeze disappeared almost as quickly as it had arrived. With boats struggling to make progress towards the windward mark, there was little option but to abandon the race. The AP went up once again, and the fleet headed ashore for the second and final time that day.

Saturday's racing was over. Covers went on, sails were put away and, perhaps unsurprisingly, the bar opened early!

Nick Craig and Joe Jones - Masters Championships at The Chase SC - photo © Tate Family

Saturday night - More than just a sailing club!

If the sailing had been frustrating, the social programme certainly wasn't.

The catering team had arranged for an Italian pizza company to provide food for competitors and their families. With an abundance of freshly prepared pizzas, pasta and salads, nobody was going hungry. Food was plentiful, drinks were flowing and the atmosphere around the club was fantastic.

At 8pm, the evening entertainment got under way with live music from The Rattlesnakes. And what a band they were! Playing through until around 11.00pm, they had the entire room on its feet. There wasn't a spare seat to be found, with competitors, families and supporters all enjoying the evening and filling the dance floor.

By the end of the night, the beer supplies had taken a serious battering, the bar staff were kept exceptionally busy and a few competitors had moved on to the rum and shots. It was quite some Saturday night!

Sunday - Fog, bacon sandwiches and a race against time

Sunday morning arrived with a few weary faces around the dinghy park. After such a fantastic evening, there were undoubtedly some sore heads to contend with, but this was a championship, and there was still racing to be done.

With five races theoretically still available, the race team announced that racing would be brought forward to 9.30am, with the intention of running the remaining races back-to-back. No race could start after 2pm, so every opportunity would need to be taken while the breeze allowed.

Typical! Just as everyone was ready to get going, the lake disappeared beneath a blanket of fog. Once again, the AP flag was raised.

Fortunately, The Chase Sailing Club had the perfect solution: bacon sandwiches, sausage sandwiches and plenty of free tea and coffee. Competitors settled in for another wait while the visibility gradually improved. By around 10am, the fog began to lift, and the race team prepared for a revised 10.30am start. The fleet was called back onto the water, and at last the championship was back under way.

Race Team - Masters Championships at The Chase SC - photo © Tate Family

Race two - The breeze finally arrives

Race two got away cleanly, although the wind initially shifted left, turning the first beat into another fetch. This time, however, Paul kept his nerve and allowed the race to continue. The breeze gradually settled, eventually providing a much more promising eight knots and some excellent racing conditions.

The fleet really came alive, with close competition and plenty of tactical battles around the course. Taking the race victory were Rob Stringer and Pete Tate from The Chase Sailing Club, with Matt and Tim McGovern close behind in second. Andy Smith and Ali Rimmer completed the top three.

With no time to waste, the race team immediately set about preparing for race three.

Race three - The competition heats up

The breeze had settled, and Paul Lester wasted no time getting the third race under way. The GP14 fleet was once again keen to push the line, but this time everyone managed a clean getaway. With a more settled breeze, the first beat provided some fantastic racing. Boats were constantly changing places, crews were working hard and the competition throughout the fleet was thoroughly entertaining.

First across the line were Graham Flynn and Frank Nicholas from The Chase Sailing Club, followed by Nick Craig and Jo Jones from Burghfield Sailing Club in second. Neil Davis and Michelle Evans continued their consistent championship performance, taking third.

Three races completed, and the championship was beginning to take shape.

Race four - One last throw of the dice

With the championship still very much up for grabs, the pressure was now firmly on the race officer. The breeze was shifting, the forecast was deteriorating and the 2pm cut-off was fast approaching. The question was whether to attempt two shorter races or give competitors one final, worthwhile race to conclude the championship.

Paul made his decision, and it proved to be the right one.

Race four was started cleanly in a reasonable breeze, with the race team opting for a longer race to give competitors one final opportunity to battle it out. As expected, the wind gradually decreased, leaving boats sailing in lighter conditions than they had started.

However, occasional puffs continued to roll across the lake, keeping the fleet moving and ensuring the racing remained competitive. Andy Smith and Ali Rimmer finally secured a race victory, with Matt and Tim McGovern taking second, third was Nick Craig and Jo Jones.

And with that, four races out of the six scheduled had been completed. Given the challenging forecast, it was a significant achievement and a credit to the determination of both the race team and competitors.

Prize giving - Celebrating the champions

With boats safely packed away, attention turned to the results.

Results coordinator Dave Watkins worked through the scores while the prizes were prepared and the bar opened once again. The clubhouse was soon filled with competitors, families and volunteers ready to celebrate the weekend.

Christopher Anderson, Commodore of Chase Sailing Club, said a few words, thanking Paul Lester and the race team, the rescue crews, galley staff and all the volunteers who had worked tirelessly throughout the weekend.

It was clear that an enormous amount of effort had gone into making the championship such a success, both on and off the water.

Jill Beddows then took to the floor to announce the results.

Finley Waterhouse and Savannah Henshall - GP14 Youth Championships at The Chase SC - photo © Tate Family

GP14 Youth Championship 2026

The Youth Champions were Finlay Waterhouse, crewed by Savannah Henshaw, who produced an outstanding performance to take the title. Second place went to Daisy Vagg-Whitehead, crewed by Edward Craig.

A huge well done to all the youth competitors who took part and contributed to some excellent racing throughout the championship.

GP14 Masters Championship 2026

The championship honours were awarded as follows:
Masters Champion: Tim McGovern, crewed by Matt McGovern.
Grand Masters Champion: Graham Flynn, crewed by Frank Nicholas, Chase Sailing Club.
Great Grand Masters Champion: Rob Stringer, crewed by Pete Tate, Chase Sailing Club.
Tonup Prize: Tim McGovern, crewed by Matt McGovern

Congratulations to all the winners and to everyone who competed.

GP14 Master - Matthew McGovern and Timothy McGovern - Masters Championships at The Chase SC - photo © Tate Family

A club that did the GP14 class proud

The GP14 Youth and Masters Championships attracted competitors from all corners of the country, with some travelling considerable distances to be part of the event.

The Chase Sailing Club truly did the GP14 class proud, from the race management and rescue teams to the outstanding catering, hospitality and evening entertainment, the club delivered an absolutely stellar weekend, both on and off the water.

A huge thank you goes to every competitor who travelled to take part and helped make the 2026 GP14 Youth and Masters Championships such a memorable occasion. Your enthusiasm, sportsmanship and good humour made the event what it was.

A special mention must go to Paul Lester, whose determination and decision-making ensured that four races were completed despite the testing conditions. A huge thanks must also go to the rescue crews, galley staff, catering team and every volunteer who contributed.

The Chase Sailing Club has certainly set the bar high and done the GP14 class proud. The club looks forward to welcoming the GP14 fleet back and hosting more events in the near future.

Four races completed out of six scheduled, a challenging forecast, shifting winds, fog, abandoned racing and a Saturday night that will certainly be remembered!

The 2026 GP14 Youth and Masters Championships proved that a successful sailing weekend is about far more than simply the number of races completed. It was about competitive sailing, good sportsmanship, fantastic hospitality and a club pulling together to deliver a memorable event.

Until next time!

GP14 Grand Master - Graham Flynn and Frank Nickless - Masters Championships at The Chase SC - photo © Tate Family

Overall Results:

GP14 Great Grand Master - Rob Stringer and Pete Tate - Masters Championships at The Chase SC - photo © Tate Family