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CLUB RACING CALENDAR 2010
Dates - Events - Times etc.

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Just 7 starters for the final race of the Autumn Series. Mild conditions with a moderate south-westerly but very gusty. With the favourite, The Big Floater late for the start, they had it all to do but rounding first at the windward mark said it all and with no hesitation with their kite, they were off as others braving the spinnaker struggled or in Mazoe' s case, the early swim. As the three lap race progressed, the places slowly became established with a substantial lead built up by The Floater and Talula as runner up ahead of the challenging Moby, settling for third.

A fair turnout of 9 GP14s in a gusty uninviting north-westerly F4 but mainly sunny. The pin end was the place to be with the favourites bunched up there but an over zealous White Knuckles paid the price of an OCS and not returning. The Big Floater lead from the off with the opposition coming from Moby for the first beat and the long tight reach to Balls Lake. Talula, always climbing came on the scene late in the first leg but once there tussled with the Floater with the lead changing but some skilful tactics on the run forced Talula into penalty turns from which they never recovered.

Sunny but a nip in the air from the gusty, shiflty, northerly F3-4. Only 6 GP14s started the fetch to Cakes with a couple OCS but the new team in Talula soon took hold of the race. First to round and from then on they were uncatchable. The reach down to Balls Lake had the remainder of the fleet arriving together with Mazoe sneaking it but the long beat back to the line saw Moby pick the shifts best establishing second spot. A procession during the following triangle, despite the difficulties holding the kite after the gybe resulted in all boats reverting to two sails. White Knuckles, looking good for third on the final beat, took their eye off the ball whilst trying to catch Moby but the failing to cover Mazoe, allowed them through to lose their place.

Another mild, sunny afternoon with an easterly force 4 with gusts. Eight GPs lined up for a one sided beat due to a windshift prior to the start but shifting back just as the fleet reached the mark caused all sorts of chaos. The Big Floater came out best and led early on but Talula , climbing all the time soon gave competition with these two fighting and changing places throughout the 4 lap course. White Knuckles finally established the third spot over White Heat but the honours go to Talula, ultimately triumphing over the Floater with a good margin.

A fine sunny day with a light southerly attracted eight GPs to the start line. With The Big Floater absent, the contest became well open but the bunching and skirmish at the pin end had several top boats losing out with a couple OCS. White Heat soon emerged as leader on the beat to Wych mark picking favourably the difficult, substantial shifts. A different story down the fleet as the positions changed constantly. Spinnakers up for the following three legs of the square course saw White Heat remain in command of the chasing pack. Much of the same on second lap with White Knuckles and Moby finally establishing, second and third respectively.

Sunshine again for the third race of the Autumn series but the chilly 20 knots Northerly with gusts took the edge off it resulting in only seven valiant GPs. As the race incorporated the Wareham Trophy, the course of a lap in the top triangle then down the river to marks WH5 and WH7 (not normally used) then back to the line, proved a pleasant change. The Big Floater as expected led the contest but the challenging White Knuckles missed the shifts on the long beat from BL to WH5 allowing Smartie and Mazoe to come through. A memorable beat also for James Stafford in Bonus who crewless before the start, coerced an unprepared Martin Murphy to sail with him. Martin, willing to help as always was repaid with a dunking in his normal clothes ! - Nice one James ! The good planing reach from WH7 back to the club through the moored cruisers saw the Floater secure first place with White Knuckles overhauling Mazoe then beating Smartie on the line for second.

Sunshine and winds F3-4 with gusts for the 9 GP14s competing in the second race in the Autumn series, this time with a combined start with all the dinghies racing for the Lake Shore Cup. Really crowded at the port end, The Big Floater with a perfect start soon took the lead but the poor choice of course due to a pre-race windshift gave no beat. Once around the windward mark, the tight reach without a kite followed another tight reach with the kite saw the leader pull away further then more during the three lap race. So with the winning boat sorted, the race for the spoils saw Smart One looking good for second, suffer spinnaker problems allowing White Knuckles (after recovering from their OCS) to come through to finish comfortable runners up. Super Chuck held on to third despite some serious late challenges from Moby.

For the first race of the Saturday Autumn series combined with the Bar Buoy Trophy race, sunshine and  a good force 4 greeted the 8 competitors. The race officer decided to keep the course in the harbour and send us round Brownsea to Nat West mark and back which in reflection proved good. With heavy gusts at times, the lightweight favourites in The Big Floater were disadvantaged on the beat as Chuckie led the fleet for the windward half of the race. A different story going back as the floater once ahead kept a comfortable lead from White Knuckles who took second. Enjoyed by all, a nice change from the usual top triangle racing.

 12 GP14s turned out in sunshine and F2-4 breezes for the last Thursday race and the final evening race of the season. Plenty of water on a small course gave the Race Committee licence to squeeze everything out of the available sunlight which they did with a one hour race. The Big Floater with Matt Burge at the helm, started best and within minutes lead substantially to Ham mark and from then on during the course of a square, triangle, square. The second reach to Oyster had boats guessing to it's location, resulting in positions changing but the leader still had it sewn up with the only opposition coming from Talula. For the final lap, the wind picked up for some exciting spinnaker reaching but by this time, White Knuckles, at one time down the pan, had already secured third. A good finale to a great season. Roll on 2011 !

For the final Monday race of the summer in dark overcast skies, the 10 GP14 starters had to contend with winds F4, gusting 6 at times. The Big Floater picked the best end of the line to start and marginally led the beat ahead of Mazoo but once that kite went up they sailed into the distance. Mazoe 's challenges came to a sudden end on the second reach as minor gear failure ended with a capsize. Avoiding some scares and dog fights with White Knuckles, Superchuck managed to hang on to second with Chuckie climbing up to third in the two lap race. A windy night with plenty of incidents but ultimately enjoyed by all.

Pleasant conditions for the good turnout of 15 GP14s but the extreme low water with the tide about to rush in meant a channel course. The start in the flood had boats swept over but only individual recalls allowed the fleet to get away, tactically beating down to Gold mark. Even better tactics needed on the run against the tide where places changed drastically but the top boats got it right and at Arne mark Shaken not Stirred was just holding off the two favourites. By the time the shortened course signal was sounded at at the leeward mark, Out of Control was leading the fleet ahead of The Big Floater but on the line with positions the same, the latter took the honours as their rivals were adjudged as OCS. White Heat, sailing well throughout, earned their reward with a second.         Picture by Mike Millard here

With the abrupt end to the Indian Summer, the strong winds during the day did subdue as per the forecast, however the heavy rain, also forecasted arrived. Only 7 GPs gave it a go in a Southerly F4 with the good breeze compensating for the drenching. The true beat to Wych saw the wind decrease notably with White Knuckles leading the four legs of lap one but with the fleet still together, Mazoe cracked it on the the second beat and once ahead left White Knuckles to focus on the challenging Talula... The rain did finally stop !

 A good turnout of 15 GP14s made the most of the newly arrived Indian summer. The wise decision to change the course before the start gave good aspects of sailing with most boats starting at the congested port end. As expected, The Big Floater led the fleet, choosing a route beating up the wall but Super Chuck after tacking out to clear their air, recognised the increased pressure and continued, ultimately out on a limb. At the windward mark their tactics proved good, rounding in front of White Heat and the Floater. Despite the challenges on the two reaches they kept their lead, ready to start lap two. After holding on during the long beat and most of the run, Talula and the Floater finally got through to surprisingly lose it again at Ham. With Super Chuck now looking good to hold it on the one-sided beat to the finish, an unnecessary tack, close to the line allowed Talula to snatch it with The Floater coming in third.

In bright sunshine with only a F1-2 the small course worked well with the race officer able to stretch the race to three laps. From the line, The Big Floater again took the lead of the 10 GPs on the fetch to Cakes mark but once around, with spinnakers up, the fleet had difficulty finding the next mark with boats going off in different directions. True to form The Floater got there first to hold their place and pull further ahead as the race which covered all points of sailing, progressed. Plenty of tactics in the strong ebb tide kept the competition down the fleet alive with Talula finally earning a comfortable second ahead of the re-united team in White Knuckles.

With low water and hardly any wind, 13 GPs almost reluctantly launched for a slow race up and down the channel with the prospect of fighting the strong flood tide, when it turned, not good. From the off, down the channel, Mark and Josh in Mr Brightside made a good start and held the favourite, The Big Floater, for the early stages. Once that tide kicked in, Colin Rainback, the Poole Harbour maestro showed his expertise to finally beat the leaders by a good margin with Talula climbing up to third. Boats down the fleet that followed The Floater's tactics leapt places on those who didn't. Only two legs up and down the channel but in all, a good race, made interesting by the tactics.

The westerly F4 gusting 6 attracted just 8 GPs, probably less if the sunshine hadn't made it look ok. On the beat The Big Floater soon dominated with Talula next best but once on the reach, no hesitation with their kites the leaders flew. Others less confident followed with White Knuckles the first causalities of the gusts, eventually to retire. After only one triangle and sausage the race ended with no change at the front apart from Talula being one of the two capsizes on the run allowing Chuckie to pass then hold it on the leg back to the line.

The forecast of wind and heavy rain didn't happen but the 10 GPs did have a good force 3 southerly breeze on a well chosen square course offering three spinnaker legs on each of the two laps sailed. With The Big Floater crewless the race opened up with any of 5 contenders, that's after White Heat lost both helm and crew toe straps, resulting with them backward flipping from the boat. The true beat proved testing but Talula' s turn of speed on the reaches secured their win ahead of White Knuckles with Super Chuck hanging on to third from Anne and Serina challenging in Reflection.

Sunny and warm but the north westerly force 4 plus, meant wetsuits for most. The Big Floater got the start right and led from the off but the shifts made them work for it. A big course for the seven GPs but once round the windward mark, kites up and scream down to Balls Lake, gybe and then to Wills mark, the course seemed smaller. With the Floater increasing their lead throughout, second place became a battle between Talula and White Knuckles with the likelihood of the former taking it but still contesting after 3 laps, approaching the finish, the place went to White Knuckles as Talula seemed to pirouette. It turned out their tiller extension snapped !

Severe lack of water but the channel course did offer a beat at one point for the 10 GPs starting against the strong ebb tide. Quite pleasant in the sunshine but the wind averaging force 3 did have some nasty gusts which caught a few out with one team swimming. With Matt Burge out with girlfriend Amy, they were the one's to catch and they certainly had to work for it as Talula and Calypso challenged taking turns to lead in testing conditions where plates were popping up in areas normally regarded as deep water . As soon as the tide turned, it rushed in with The Big Floater playing it right to finally pull away and win convincingly.

With winds in the region of F4-5, only eight GPs turned out with the hot shot team of Matt and Andy Burge zooming off the line to lead start to finish. At the windward mark of the big course of two triangles and a sausage,  Super Chuck and Talula arrived together but once on the reach the latter made the most of the excellent planing conditions to Piccadilly. With some capsize causalities down the fleet, the gaps between these three widened, followed by Moby, winning the battle for fourth place against Chuckie.

Another sunny and mainly force 3 west-south-westerly until a sudden swing to northwest just prior to the warning signal initiated a wise change of course from the hut. Word got around but Talula missed it setting off to the wrong mark, ending up stuffed. Out of Control flew off the line but adjudged OCS, had to return while The Big Floater got it spot on and again were the boat to chase. Down the fleet the shifty beat had positions changing with Effilldoog rounding in second spot. The triangle sausage triangle course gave good points of sailing with Out of Control emerging as the only boat with any chance of bothering the Floater. Remarkably, Talula got back to challenge Effilldoog for third on the final reach, passed them on the beat to the line but unsure of the course, missed a mark with the re-rounding costing them two places at the finish. The Big Floater by this time was probably in the bar !!

The day after the club's successful GP14 Open Weekend, only six GPs lined up in sunshine and mainly F3-4 breezes. The top team in The Big Floater were never challenged especially after second placed Super Chuck, despite the sporting chants from the fleet, missed a mark, returned and paid the price. Mid way through the three lap race the wind veered with the final reach becoming a good beat with Moby the certain runner up followed by Chuckie holding off Bonus but Super Chuck climbed above them to third only to lose the place to Bonus at the finish.

The good weather continues and again a decent force 3 to play with another up and down the channel job for the 13 GPs, due to low water. The favoured port end post was the place to be and there was only going to be room for one boat and surprisingly not, it was The Big Floater. They led the race throughout but they were challenged mid race when boats opting for the tidal route popped up just behind them. Only shorts beats at the end of the windward legs but the three laps were enough for Talula to climb again from a poor start to beat Moby for second place.

It wasn't forecasted but a good F4 with some great gusts gave the eleven GP14s exciting conditions despite the low water channel course of windward leeward's. The Big Floater soon took hold of the proceedings and were not seen again but the following pack led by White Heat had a race of their own. With capsizes from Talula then White Heat, the second place was eventually secured by Chuckie ahead of Super Chuck stealing it from Mazoe at the finish.

The summer continues with another gorgeous evening but only light winds, force 3 at best. With a shifty breeze and the choice of Balls Lake as the windward mark, the 12 GPs led by White Heat and Out of Control had a testing beat. After over an hour on the one lap, triangle / sausage course the race officer wisely shortened with White Heat finally holding off Out of Control with a deserved third place for Talula after their poor start. Plenty of action down the fleet with Effildoog winning the battle for 4th.

Great boating weather, lovely and warm but not much wind for the 8 GPs that expecting a windward first leg, started on a beam reach with the kite for almost all of it until it spectacularly reverted to a beat with the fleet on the starboard side favoured. Talula led the triangle sausage course throughout ending comfortable winners in front of a good battle for second with Super Chuck coming out best just holding off Bonus.

With strong winds gusting over 40 knots, yours truly wimped out, but when as forecasted it dipped to 15 - 20 the race was on. 5 boats went out and it wasn't long before it strengthened again but with Talula the only capsize, The Big Floater took the honours. The best part was watching the fleet return to the slip on a run with 33 knots steady, both sails up, attempting handbrake turns !

Nice and warm again but some drizzle at the start for the 12 GPs starting the again unusual course 72 which as last time offered poor beats. At the favoured end, The Big Floater was first away with White Heat behind but the wind the decreasing from F3 all the time meant a short race. The Floater built a substantial lead through lap one but White Heat pulled it back on the next round to finish a respectable second ahead of White Knuckles. Talula recovering from an awful start climbed throughout but missing West mark put them back to last.

Warm and sunny again but only a force 2 with most of the 14 GP14 dinghies bunched at the favoured port end. The Big Floater, Calypso and Reflection had good starts, arriving at the windward mark in that order. The unusual course offered poor beats but the reaches were good giving the opportunity for Reflection to move into second with top boat Talula threatening. Talula finally caught them near the end but the Floater remained un-catchable.

Following a blowy weekend at the Poole Yacht Club Regatta the mainly F3-4, warm and sunny conditions were appreciated by the dozen GP14s who turned out again. The Big Floater, always the boat to beat had another advantage in the way of top helm Matt Burge. No surprises here as true to form they lead start to finish on the big olympic course with the windward mark well down the harbour. Talula pursued throughout the three laps but well beaten they convincingly still kept second place ahead of the duelling Super Chuck and the James Stafford / Jake Shepherd boat, Bonus.

The heatwave continues and another chance for the 14 GPs to enjoy perfect conditions. With mainly a F3 and the hut end the place to be, Mr Brightside was there, taking up the running with top boat The Big Floater, for a change, in pursuit. With Chris Doe and Jenny Macgregor sailing Out of Control and lying third, these three were the boats to catch but four laps and 90 minutes later, that's how it ended with a convincing win for Mr Brightside with Super Chuck almost snatching third.

A fantastic evening for a sail, warm, sunny with winds mainly force 3 but some good gusts. 11 GPs accumulated at the port end for the true beat to Arne with as expected The Big Floater first away and leading proceedings although Mr Brightside gave serious opposition early on. Talula eventually came through to second on the reaches and following the missing of a mark on the second beat, Mr Brightside later retired. At the end of the good full course of triangle, sausage times two, Super Chuck looked good for third but gave it away to Mazoe following some difficulty retrieving the kite then failing to cover.

Bright sunshine, warm and mainly force 3 breezes with some good gusts. 14 GP14 boats enjoyed a reaching start on the well chosen course with The Big Floater first to make the mark. With Talula and Out of Control always close they held them on the off wind legs but unable to cover both boats on the good, true, shifty beats, Out of Control came out on top each time and with the final leg being a beat, Out of Control took first. Perfect conditions, the wind holding up and positions continuously changing down the fleet, Brilliant !

Not quite the extreme conditions of the last race but still a gusty north-easterly producing some hair-raising reaches and some near capsizes. 10 GPs ventured out in a low water channel course without a beat. The Big Floater, starboard rounding the windward mark, led the fleet with White Knuckles, Talula and Moby following. Realising these four had rounded the wrong way, Mazoe correctly rounded with the remaining fleet also getting it right. An un-enjoyable race for most, due to the processional course and the conditions but with four retirements after finishing from the leaders, Mazoe was well pleased with their win.

With a forecast of gusts approaching 40 knots, 8 GP14s launched in a mainly F3-4 north -easterly and sure enough the vicious gusts came. Uncomfortable but no major problems on the beat but the reach with five boats tempted with kites saw Talula and the Big Floater go from neck and neck to advantage Floater as Talula became one of the two immediate causalities. At the finish after three laps, the fleet was down to five with The Big Floater convincingly ahead of Moby and Chuckie securing third. Difficult conditions with multiple capsizes in all the classes, but still enjoyed by the majority.

In mainly light winds 10 Gp14s launched in un-inviting conditions. Gone was the warm sunshine, replaced with niggling light rain. The start to RBX saw the Big Floater heading the fleet but a 720 turns penalty at the mark opened it up with Talula then Super Chuck taking the lead. These three fought throughout the triangle - sausage - triangle course but true to form The Floater eventually got back with second favourite Talula in pursuit ahead of Super Chuck finishing a convincing third. Despite the change in conditions, a challenging race with good reaches, enjoyed by most.

Warm sunshine again, 10 knots and perfect conditions again for the 12 GPs starting the new series. With all the fleet choosing the favourable pin end it was busy up there and amongst the losers with the worst start were White Knuckles. The Big Floater being the boat to beat never had it their own way until the end of the first triangle as the chasing pack headed by Talula stayed with them. Plenty of opportunities on the beats for places to change with White Knuckles amazingly recovering to at one time hold second but perfect conditions for Talula saw them take off on the gusts placing them back into third.

A beautiful evening for sailing, brilliant sunshine, mainly F3-4 breezes with some exciting gusts. Most of 12 GP14s, started at the bunched favoured hut end but the tide caught a few out with the subsequent penalty of re-starting. Out of Control, soon took control and led the fleet to the finish with White Knuckles holding second for most of the race until Moby, recovering from an OCS and the inconvenience of losing the crew over the side (twice!) sailed well to temporarily climb above White Knuckles but finally had to settle for third at the end of the enjoyable four lap race... As for the weather ...More of the same please !

As the very hot weather continued with a pleasant F3 South-westerly it was shorts weather for most. Without The Big Floater afloat, it was open season for the 10 GP14s with the result anyone's. The well chosen course of 3 laps gave ample opportunities but White Knuckles finally dominated with Mazoe ending runner up. Third spot, up for grabs until the last leg saw Effildoog hold off the close pack.

Summer arrived for the 11 GP starters in warm glorious sunshine and winds around force 4 south westerly but the strong ebb tide, underestimated by some had them paying the price. True to form, The Big Floater got it right start to finish holding off White Heat for most of the race until Mazoe, amongst those choosing the pin end to start (against the tide), recovered from below mid fleet to climb and out-manoeuvre them at the final mark to take second place. An enjoyable race for all thanks to the weather, may it well continue.

In a force 4 south-westerly and brilliant sunshine, 10 GPs bunched at the heavily biased port end started the beat to Balls Lake with The Big Floater getting the best start. The race positions after 2 laps stayed for the remaining 2 laps and after a two hour race with the fleet shivering, The Big Floater led them home ahead Calypso and Moondust in a well earned third. Good fun but when that temperature dropped ........

In sunshine with mainly force 3 winds gusting up to force 5, 11 GP14s started the beat in a low water channel course. The Big Floater, first at the mark allowed Out of Control through on the reaches but after regaining and again losing the lead they finally held on to notch up their fifth win out of the five races so far. Talula sailed well earning a third,