2007 Open Report

The Piplers of Poole GP14 Open Week-end
The weather for the Piplers of Poole Open Weekend was near perfect as at last Summer put in an appearance. Warm sunshine and the mainly F2-4 breezes gave close racing on both days.
Saturday – With a total of 25 boats made up of 17 visiting boats from our friends at the Welsh Harp and 8 from Poole, Nine teams lined up for the morning race, anti-clockwise rounding the islands of Green, Furzey and Brownsea. Leading throughout, Poole’s A team came in with a first and a third with second place going to Richard Lord and Poly Kaparas from SeaHorse A.
After lunch, Race 2 started on time with spinnakers up on a clockwise reverse of the morning race.

Sat Team Race winners left to right - Martin Trim, Mike Williams, Margaret Williams, Andy Burge, Colin & Nicki Byrne and Colin Rainback

Colin Rainback and Andy Burge (Poole A) had some early challenges from Ben Kaplan and Edward Parks (Seahorse A) but eventually broke away for another win with fellow team boat Mike Williams and Martin Trim behind. Richard Lord and Poly Kaparas came in third giving The Piplers of Poole Team Trophy to the Poole A team.
Saturday evening rounded off nicely with a dinner enjoyed by over 70 in the clubhouse.

Sunday – 24 boats (10 from the home fleet and 14 visitors), soaked up even warmer temperatures with but slightly lighter conditions.

After a delayed start , Race 1 in a F2-3 saw the first 3 places going to Poole Yacht Club boats. Commodore Colin Rainback and Andy Burge took first with Mike Williams and Martin Trim second ahead of Jenny Macgregor and Jez Nichols.
In for lunch and back out for Race 2 but windshifts before the start held things up. A smaller course this time and the resulting pile ups at the windward mark left winners and losers.


After the full course of two rounds of an Olympic triangle Richard Lord and Poly Kaparus won the race with Jenny and Jez second. Commodore Rainback only managing a third. With 2 races to count the next result would decide the Open Meeting winner which would come from a possible four boats.

Race 3 went the whole distance again and a return to form from Rainback & Burge with Williams and Trim crossing second ahead of Ben Kaplan and Edward Parks who finished a deserved third. Our thanks to Race Officer Bill Frewing and the Poole Dayboat class for the safety cover. With no protests, on to the patio for Cream Teas and prizegiving.
Final results : 1st Colin Rainback and Andy Burge (Poole Y.C.) 2nd Mike Williams and Martin Trim (Poole Y.C.) 3rd Jenny Macgregor and Jez Nichols (Poole Y.C.) 4th Richard Lord and Poly Kaparas (Seahorse S.C.) 5th Ben Kaplan and Edward Parks (Seahorse S.C.)