29er Harken Grand Prix 2 at Prestwick Sailing Club
by Andrew Kilburn and Hugh Ward 8 May 2013 07:31 BST
4-5 May 2013
Rory Hunter and Fraser Kitson Jones during the Harken Grand Prix at Prestwick © Alan Henderson /
www.fotoboat.com
Sailors from as far afield as Hayling Island Sailing Club in the south to Royal Findhorn Yacht Club (near Inverness) in the North converged on Prestwick Sailing Club for the second event in the 29er Harken Series. The fleet were greeted on Saturday morning by a fabulous S.S.W. wind blowing 20 knots with gusts up to 26 knots, perfect skiff conditions.
The first three races followed a similar pattern with Gillies Munroe and Daniel Harris (Royal Findhorn Y.C.) leading at the windward mark and extending their lead during the race. Rory Hunter and Fraser Kitson Jones (Arran Junior S.C.) finished second with Andy Kilburn (Notts County) and Hugh Ward (Hayling Island S.C.) third. In race three Rory Rose and Callum Symmons (Aberdeen & Stonehaven Y.C) event ended when they broke their mast at the windward mark after an awkward capsize.
The final race on Saturday saw Andy and Hugh leading at the windward mark only to capsize on the bear away. Rory and Fraser superb downwind speed was not enough to prevent Gillies and Daniel from taking their fourth bullet.
On Sunday the wind was not as strong as the previous day but was blowing from a similar direction. Gillies and Daniel won the first race of the day with Rory and Fraser second and Andy and Hugh third.
The results followed the same sequence for the second race of the day despite Gillies and Daniel capsizing at the windward mark on the final lap. This capsize did however influence the result of the final race since prior to starting the last race Gillies discovered his tiller had cracked during the capsize and therefore missed the final race. This gave the opportunity for a different winner and was won by Andy and Hugh after a tacking duel on the first leg with Rory and Fraser who finished second and Lewis Marr (Largs S.C.) and Aaran Murray (Loch Earn S.C.) third.
The 29er fleet would like to thank Prestwick Sailing Club for the hospitality. The venue and conditions were perfect for 29er racing with a lively sea and steady wind. We would also like to thank Harken for their continuing support.
Overall Results: (top four)
1st Gillies Munroe and Daniel Harris (Royal Findhorn Y.C.)
2nd Rory Hunter and Fraser Kitson Jones (Arran Junior S.C.)
3rd Andrew Kilburn and Hugh Ward (Notts County S.C. & Hayling Island S.C.)
4th and 1st Junior, Lewis Marr and Aaran Murray (Largs S. C & Loch Earn S.C.)