Harken 29er Grand Prix 5 at Ullswater Yacht Club

Harken 29er Grand Prix at Ullswater © Trudi Loveridge

Harken 29er Grand Prix at Ullswater © Trudi Loveridge

Ullswater Yacht Club was the host of the 5th 29er Harken Grand Prix of the 2012 season, generating a big northern and Scottish attendance. The 19 boats entered were representing more than 20 different clubs, and although it was a smaller turnout than usual the mix of talented newcomers and more experienced sailors made for close racing.

Conditions on Saturday morning were light and shifty as the wind blew over the hills, but it was a sunny day in the Lake District. After the short briefing the sailors launched to begin the days racing.

Race 1 started with about 8-12 knots and saw Ed Connellan & Matt Rhodes (Middle Nene / Rutland) round the windward mark leading, being closely followed by Rob & Emma Loveridge (Draycote Water) and Roan Edwards & Daniel Blight (Port Dinorwic). However Ed & Matt couldn't hold the position over 3 laps and it was Rob & Emma to finish 1st followed by Roan & Dan then Ed & Matt.

The wind was dropping all day and Race 2 saw Ben Swyer & William Tarn-Chapman (Coniston and Derwent) take the 1st, a well deserved win from the newcomers, Roan & Dan followed to get another 2nd, Rob & Emma with the 3rd, not a good result for Ed & Matt, after Matt was taken out by another boat downwind.

Roan & Dan took the 1st in Race 3, Jane Furness & Ellie Hide (Draycote Water and Yorkshire Dales) took 2nd and Curtis Mearns & Jamie Catchpole (Leigh & Lowton) took 3rd.

Race 4 turned out to be the lightest race of the event, down to 4-8 knots. Jane & Ellie finished 1st with some distance, Rob & Emma finished 2nd followed by Roan & Dan. The top 3 overall positions after day 1 were; Roan & Dan in 1st, Rob & Emma in 2nd and Jane & Ellie in 3rd.

Sunday morning started with very light conditions, and the fleet spent an hour floating around Ullswater, but after a good decision by the race officer in moving the sailing area, a some strong breeze started to come in over the hills – local knowledge obviously.

The fifth race started with 12 knots gusting 20. The first was taken by Rory & Neil Hunter (Arran Juniors) who had good boat speed in the strong breeze, they were followed up by Rob & Emma, then Curtis & Jamie.

The wind was now blowing 15 knots gusting 25 for Race 6 and Rob & Emma lead the way to the finish, followed by Gilies Munroe & Daniel Harris (Royal Findhorn) in 2nd, who were having good and consistent results throughout the event. Ed & Matt took the 3rd.

The final race to go and the wind was at its strongest of the event, 15 knots gusting 35, Rob & Emma were safe in the lead, Roan & Dan also comfortably in 2nd, but it couldn't be closer for 3rd it was either going to be Rory & Neil, Gilies & Dan, Curtis & Jamie or Ed & Matt who were going to get the 3rd. After a lot of capsizing from all sections of the fleet, it would be the boats with no capsizes and able to finish the race who would end up with a good position. Ed & Matt took the lead at the end of the race to get the 1st, just in front of Rob & Emma in 2nd and, despite a few capsizes, Curtis & Jamie still managed to get the 3rd.

Well done to Rob & Emma who won with 7 points clear of the boat behind; Roan & Dan were 2nd, also top juniors, and Ed & Matt got the 3rd due to their last race. Also well done to Jane & Ellie who were top girls and 7th overall.

Huge thanks to Harken the event sponsors, Ullswater Yacht Club for hosting the event with a warm welcome, and creating good and interesting races for the sailors. Also big thanks to Rob Morris & George Shelly (South Caernarvon) for sailing home the abandoned boats on Sunday when more than half the fleet didn't finish the last race. A last well done to all sailors for competing and making great racing!

Overall Results: