GP14 National Championships at Largs Sailing Club - Overall

GP14 nationals at Largs final day © Marc Turner / www.pfmpictures.co.uk

GP14 nationals at Largs final day © Marc Turner / www.pfmpictures.co.uk

The final day of the GP14 Nationals up on the west coastline of Scotland at Largs SC on the Firth of Clyde, saw some excellent racing from 1st to 47th place as the fleet were taken back out into the main channel, the westerly breeze forcing the PRO's hand as the narrower channel, where racing had taken place on the previous three days was too affected by Gt Cumbrae Island.

Race 8 – Sponsored by Creation Covers & HD Sails

The wind out in the main channel was by no means perfect, swinging by 45 degrees causing start line nightmares for the race team; far too much bias whichever way the pin end buoy was dragged, resulted in the black flag being brought out, just to get the fleet away. All knew it was not the start line that was at fault – it was the huge variation in wind direction. Three of the top-end boats who were looking to consolidate their positions in the top ten were binned; time to "make hay" for their closest competitors. Leading the way at the front end were Dobson & Tunnicliffe, closely followed by the Seniors, Gillard & Hartley just behind. A 40 degree shift, the top two covering each other allowed Dave Young and Nicola Booth to leapfrog the lead three, a position they were not to relinquish, the breeze settling at 45 degrees from the initial direction, leaving a follow my leader last lap. The Goacher/Duffin pair of Dobson & Tunnicliffe took second which, if my maths was any good (!!!), gave them the Nationals crown they last won in 2010. Second overall was also confirmed as Tom Gillard and Tim Hartley with their P&B powered Winder, third being Mike and Lizzie Seniors HD driven Boon. Three boat builders, three sailmakers completing the top three. Make of that what you will.

The "real" racing in race 8 however was for the top ten places overall, Chris White & Rich Booth had their best result of the week in fifth, putting pressure on those just ahead of them on the leaderboard, inclusive of those three who'd black flagged themselves. Ed Dutton & Rich Hales, under self-induced pressure to win the silver fleet, got their first top ten of the week to pretty much seal their victory too. Richard & Alex Tomlinson also got their best result coming home in an excellent 11th.

So going into race 9, the final top ten placings and the Bronze Fleet were where the main battlegrounds were. Lead contenders in the Bronze were Angus Winchester & Colin Quint, Rob Hicklin & Mark Fleming, and Angus Cambell & Gary Lewis. A good finish in the last race would've given any of the three victory. The final top ten shoot out was between six boats, spread by less than 10 points. It was gonna be close.

Needless to say, Dobson & Tunnicliffe won the race. The top ten battle went to the final mark rounding where a stray rudder pin cost Sarah & I that elusive 10th, letting through 7 boats in the final 100yd reach, all seven were also vying for those precious few points. Heartbreaking.

The Bronze battle also went to the wire. A couple of places either way and the Hicklin/Fleming duo would've had it, only to be denied by a resurgent Winchester & Quint who squeezed in with a couple of boats to spare.

What a great week of racing, all nine races held in a wide range of conditions, some amazing photography from SailPics, Fotoboat and JoshKerr providing conclusive evidence that the GP14 fleet is where to get extremely close, enjoyable racing; Gill Beddow and her committee putting on yet another excellent championship, building up to the Worlds in Northern Ireland in 2014, Barbados in 2016.

The prize-giving on the Friday saw well over 120 people piped in to a Ceilidh Evening where prizes were awarded to a range of categories, from lead young pairings (Sam Blocksidge & Connie Hicklin) to the oldies (Brian Willis & David McFarland), old boats (Donald Giles & Matt Lanigan) right through to the top sailors with their beautifully crafted racing machines. Leading the way as the top female helm was Mandy Mitchell, John Close as her crew; lead female crew taken by Lizzie Senior sailing with Mike; lead U18 helm was Megan Hicklin crewed by Hayley Ramadhar, giving us one of the most memorable images of the week after their 11th in race 4.

Regular readers will know we are extremely grateful to our event sponsors: Gul, BoonBoats, Creation Covers, HD Sails, GingerBoats, Goachers, English Braid and Tunnocks. Thank you all for your support.

The next GP Association event is the Northern Champs at Windermere over the weekend 28th & 29th September, the End of Seasons three weeks later (19th/20th October) at Bassenthwaite SC.

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the GP14 nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here

More information at scottishsailinginstitute.com/events/gp14-national-championships-2013