GP14 Open at Bolton Sailing Club
by Gary Deighan 6 Jul 2023 15:27 BST
2 July 2023
Mark and Sam Platt blasting down the lake during the Bolton GP14 Open © John Moulton
A blustery forecast and road closures for the Ironman UK event didn't put off 5 travellers from making the trip to join 6 local boats for the Bolton GP14 Open on Sunday 2nd July.
Right from the off, it was clear that the strong and gusty westerly wind was going to make for some tricky racing and, as the first boats launched, there was a look of trepidation across most competitors' faces with some choosing to spectate rather than participate in race 1. As the gun fired to start the opening race, Mark and Sam Platt set the early pace with Gary Deighan and Dale Knowles in hot pursuit determined not to let the Platts have it all their own way. The conditions were indeed tricky as strong gusts blasted across the reservoir and it wasn't long before the rescue crews were fully occupied helping the many capsized boats. At the front of the race, Mark and Sam fought hard to keep Gary and Dale behind them, in fact almost too hard as they just managed to save themselves from a swim whilst gybing early in lap 2. The pressure Gary and Dale were applying on the Platts paid dividends in lap 3 and they crept ahead at the end of the beat. Unfortunately for them this was short lived as one of the many vicious gusts caught them on the kite gybe and knocked them flat allowing the Platts to retake the lead and with it the race win. Behind the lead two crews, other competitors struggled in the wind with most testing the water temperature, some a time or two. The pairing of Kieron Inman and Paul Jenkins from West Kirby battled well and took deserved 3rd in race 1 before all boats finally made their way ashore for some much-needed rest and lunch.
As race 2 got under way it was clear that there was to be no let-up in the wind, in fact the gusts seemed to be even more varied in direction and with a bit of extra zip if anything. The pattern of the first race was soon repeated as the Platts led with Gary and Dale in hot pursuit. However, this time it was the Platts who took a swim whilst trying to defend their lead under intense pressure from Gary and Dale leaving this pair alone to negotiate their way to victory in race 2. Once again it was the rescue crews who were working hard as most boats fell foul of the windy conditions at some point or other. Again, the West Kirby pair fought hard and took another 3rd behind the Platt's. Sean and Bailey Cattanach must have wondered what on earth they had let themselves in for having travelled over from York Sailing Club to compete in their first ever open meeting.
A depleted fleet took to the water for the final race with some crews opting to join the spectators in the safety of the clubhouse, all of whom were now keen to see who would master the conditions and come out victorious with both the Platts and Gary and Dale having a race win and 2nd each.
Once again, the start was hard fought with the Platts opting for a very well executed port flyer and as a result a narrow lead at the end of the first beat. Jasper the principle OOD for the day had set a course keeping the racing in full view of the clubhouse and, as with the previous races, the lead two boats put on some close racing for all to watch. Gary and Dale found some extra speed on the next beat and edged ahead of the Platts at the top mark before both boats blasted down in front of the club house in a full speed 3 sailed reach. Once out in front, Gary and Dale edged away from Mark and Sam taking the race win and with it the Open victory on what everybody would describe as a very testing day's sailing.
Julie Waddington presented the prizes (sponsored by Cassons Financial Planning Ltd) back in the comfort of the club house, first recognising Bolton Sailing Club's own Paddy Lambton and Liam Dempsey for the most capsizes of the day - think it was 8! Next was Sean & Bailey Cattanach for braving their first ever open in very trying conditions. Steve Parry and Oliver Gabbitas of York Sailing Club took the prize for 1st bronze fleet boat and Kieron Inman and Paul Jenkins of West Kirby the silver fleet win before Mark and Sam were awarded runners up and Gary and Dale the Bolton Open trophy. All that remained was for thanks to be given to the OOD, the relentless work of the safety crew, the galley team, bar tender and everyone who travelled making for a wild but enjoyable open event.