2006 Open Report

The Piplers of Poole GP14 Open Week-end
Report by David Bracey
Saturday - Maybe it was P.N.T. (Post Nationals Depression) but only four Poole boats turned out to test themselves against gusting F5/6 conditions in the Round the Islands races on Saturday. Thankfully our friends from the Welsh Harp in London gave their usual great support to our weekend, B.T.Y.C. and Seahorse sailing clubs fielding 13 boats between them.
The morning course was anti-clockwise around Brownsea, Furzey and Green islands (approx. 6.5 miles) and first home was Mike Arrow and Ian Aitken of Poole Y.C. narrowly beating Richard Lord and Ben Kaplan of Seahorse S.C.

The winning Round the Islands Team from B.T.Y.C.

The afternoons course was the reverse of the mornings with the 1^st and 2^nd place results reversed also. However neither boat featured in the team result which went to B.T.Y.C. ‘B’ which included James Stafford and Patrick Erwill (5+4), Jim Faulkner and Philip Taylor (4+3) and Martin and Nicholas Murphy (8+5).

Sunday - The hopes of most of the 20 boats of the fleet for easier conditions for the Open Meeting were disappointed.
Force 6 winds with sharp F7 gusts meant the sailing was fast and furious and that was just getting out of the yacht haven. Luckily damages to the moored yachts was relatively minor. The competition at the front of the fleet for the 3 race Open Meeting was extremely close but Mike Williams and Martin Trim of Poole Yacht Club sealed victory with a 2^nd and 1^st in the final two races.


The next three boats finished with equal points but on count back Richard Lord and Ben Caplan of Seahorse S.C. were 2^nd with Ian Wall and Ted Hewett of Poole Y.C. 3^rd.

Unluckiest boat of the week-end was surely Mike Arrow and Ian Aitken, tied on equal points on Sunday place but allocated 4^th, also equal points for the overall weekend winner which went to Richard Lord and Ben Caplan (pictured right) who achieved three 1^st place finishes. Perhaps you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but Richard’s talent in winning the 1975 GP14 National Championship is still in pretty good shape.

Ben, Celia and Richard

The fleet were unanimous in their praise for the safety RIBs and Launch manned by the Yachting World Dayboat Fleet at Poole Y.C. headed by Race Officer Peter Lewin. Continuously in action, two broken rudders, one broken centreboard, innumerable capsizes, a lost burgee and mud spattered mainsail almost became a badge of honour. So many thanks to them, many thanks to our friends from the Welsh Harp, hope to see you again next year.

Pictures taken by Celia at The Piplers GP14 Open Weekend are available to view or buy
at www.photobox.co.uk/album/3922293 - Have a Look!