Race Reports 2004

Short reports after each race of the GP14 Class Racing at P.Y.C. in REVERSE date order

SUNDAY WINTER SERIES
Sunday 12 Dec	Only four crews made it to the start of the last and one of the most enjoyable races of the winter series. With a brisk and chilly 15 to 18 knots of easterly White Heat was first off the line and first to the windward mark followed by White Knuckles. Moby managed to get into second place on the fast planing reach to Latch. First over the finish White Heat followed by Moby and White Knuckles. Well done David and Barbara the series winners.
Sunday 5 Dec	A pleasant morning with a breeze mainly F2-4 for the 7 GPs in this penultimate race of the series and the year. Mike & Giles Kuzyk could only manage a 2nd ahead of David & Barbara in White Heat. First place went to Mike & Maggs (Gateau Passion) which keeps the series alive so as they say "its all down to the last race".
Sunday 28 Nov	Bright sunshine and 10 to 15 knots of shifty north-westerly greeted the 5 GP crews who made it to the start. Moby was first to the windward mark ahead of White Knuckles and Gateau Passion. The second reach became very tight and with the wind increasing to 20 knots Gateau Passion managed to lower their spinnaker first, took the lead and held it to the finish. Moby came in second followed by White Knuckles. Great winter sailing!
Sunday 21 Nov	With a light westerly breeze and strong ebb tide seven GP14's made it to the start of a one lap but very interesting race. Moby was first off the line but headed out into the tide and disappeared for the rest of the race. The remainder of the fleet tacked up the shore. First round the windward mark was Gateau Paradise followed by White Heat and White Knuckles. On the reaches boats with light crews pulled away. First to finish Gateau Paradise (well done Mike and Giles now leading the series), 2nd went to White Heat followed by Gateau Passion.
Sunday 14 Nov	Six GP14's started in zero wind on a bright sunny winters day. After a few minutes the odd puff appeared, enabling White Knuckles to sneak away, with Moby close behind. The remaining GP's took thirty minutes to reach the windward mark, Ham, where Gateau Paradise held off the competition by defending what wind there was. Moby found a secret breeze and shot underneath White Knuckles to win the race, with White Knuckles was close behind to finish second. Meanwhile while Gateau Paradise closed the gap significantly to end up third overall (and first overall in the series thus far).
Sunday 7 Nov	.....It was a quiet November morning with a very slight northwesterly semi-breeze when five GP14s and their intrepid crews took to the grey waters of Poole harbour to contest the first of the winter series. After a fetch to Ham mark, Gateau Paradise was first to round followed by Moby with Gateau Passion in third place. At some stage Gateau Passion got to the front and stayed there to the finish leaving Gateau Paradise and Moby second and third respectively.
SUNDAY AUTUMN SERIES
Sunday 31 Oct	With light winds and a mild end to October, only 8 GPs turned out for the last race of the Autumn series. The Kuzyk's (Mike & Giles) made early gains being first to round the windward Stans Mark ahead of David & Barbara Brann in White Heat. Through all the zig zagging and gybing back to the leeward mark they kept the Brann's at bay and despite the Williams's (Mike & Maggs) making ground throughout the race finished in that order.
Sunday 24 Oct	Our fleet is becoming the victim of weather forecasts the rainy F5 to F6 possibly F7 turned out to be a very pleasant sunny F4/5 south-westerly, but five GP crews ignored the forecasters and made it to the start. Moby won the start after pushing White Knuckles over the line. A testing beat saw White Knuckles first to the windward mark. But a permanent 30 degree windshift to the south made the first reach a fetch. Gateau Passion blasted into the lead on the next reach only to loose two places on the beat. First to finish White Knuckles followed by White Heat and Gateau Passion. Great racing !!
Sunday 17 Oct	In sunshine and F4 breezes, 7 GP14s enjoyed a course "Round the Islands". The pin end starters chose well and with spinnakers up for half of the race, they were still ahead of the others with Mike & Maggs leading at Brownsea Castle. Mike Arrow & Andy Rodden (White Knuckles) stayed clear of the island, claimed the lead and begun the beat back close the shore. From 6th place Den & Clyde in Super Chuck decided on the open water as their route home and gained ground, eventually crossing behind the leader in the final stages but with White Knuckles failing to cover they lost it when Super Chuck beat them to the line and they settled for 2nd with Mike & Maggs coming 3rd.
Sunday 12 Oct	With a forecast of North-easterly F5 to 6, seven GP's made it to the start, but the wind turned out to be 15 to 20 knots with lulls down to 5 knots, gusts up to 30 knots, and sudden 30 degree wind shifts. White Heat was first round the windward mark closely followed by White Knuckles and Moby. With the wind now at way over 25 knots the leading boats all put up their kites White Heat and Indecisive capsized and the rest made it to the jybe mark in record time. At one point six out of seven competitors were capsized but Moby managed to stay upright and was first to finish followed by White Knuckles and Gateau Passion.
Sunday 26 Sep	A glorious sunny day for a sail, only F2 breezes and sadly only 10 GPs but all enjoyed the race and no more than the Bracey's (Celia & David) in Flying Fish ll. They avoided the carnage and shouting at the favoured end, stuck their noses out and were uncatchable to give them their first win of the season. Den & Clyde in Super Chuck, challenging throughout ended up third after Mike & Maggs recovering from their bad start, pipped them for 2nd on the line.
Sunday 19 Sep	A pleasant morning and a breezy F4 for the 8 GPs gave some excellent kite reaches but the leaders in The Big Floater (Matt Burge) had such a lead by then it turned to a race for 2nd. Moby looked good for it but Mike & Greg in White Knuckles had other ideas. As the wind dropped off the Brann's in White Heat climbed up to put Moby back to 4th.
Sunday 12 Sept	The first race of the Autumn Sundays, where were you all ! Just because the forecast was south-westerly F5 increasing F7 to F8 later does not mean the race will be cancelled, it just might be. 3 GP's made it to the start with only 20 to 25 knots of south-westerly. White Knuckles was first round the windward mark followed by Moby and Indecisive. With the wind now gusting to 30 knots, the spinnakers stayed firmly in their bags on the screaming reach. White Knuckles planed round the jybe mark straight into a capsize. Moby was first over the finish with the race shortened to one lap, followed by Indecisive and White Knuckles.
LATE SUMMER SERIES - SUMMER SERIES & SPRING SERIES
Thursday 9 Sept	18 competitors arrived at the start for the last evening race of the season with bright sunshine and 15 to 18 knots south-easterly. Shadowfax was first round the windward mark closely followed by Celtic Tiger. On the long reach to Balls Lake, White Knuckles took the lead and managed to stay ahead of the fleet for the rest of the race. The testing beats to Wills Mark saw several place changes. First over the finish White Knuckles followed by Moby and Shadowfax.
Monday 6 Sept	22 GPs competed in the last Monday evening race of the season. A fetch to the mark then spinnakers up to the next kept the fleet together until the beat. Wet Bits (John Waters & Trevor Vaille) played the conditions best to win ahead of Mike Riley & Andy Barnsley in Cheers ll with David & Barbara (White Heat) 3rd.
Thursday 2 Sept	A beautiful evening, light winds but a strong ebb tide for the 19 GPs. The Burges (Matt & Andy) avoided the massive pile up at the favoured pin end and once away were only challenged by the Macgregor team. With Alison helming a GP for only a second time, crew (dad Andy) after finishing 2nd, admitted that the only advice he gave out in the race probably kept them from winning. These young helms are certainly talented, good luck to them and for us, they're great to race against.
Monday 30 August	Gusty again but it was the sunshine that tempted the 16 GP14s to race the reaching course in the channel due to low tide. The only beat we had was after the race getting back to the club slip. Yours truly started 2 minutes late (long story), so didn't see much of the action apart from David & Barbara in White heat holding off White Knuckles (Mike & Ian) with Moby (Andy & Taras) in hot pursuit. I can report though that these boats finished in the top 3 spots but in the reverse order as above.
Thursday 26 August	Another blowey race, at least to start with and another generall recall on the 16 GPs. The windshift at the start allowed most of the fleet to make it in one with Mike & Ian (White Knuckles) leading. The Big Floater with Jamie Thompson & Andy Burge had some work to do and true to form, climbed up there, match raced White Knuckles and went on to win. From strength to strength, Ian & Ted (Indecisive) continued their run, adding a 2nd ahead of David & Barbara Brann in White Heat.
Monday 23 August	With last Thursdays race blown off it looked like tonight's race (F6 with gusts) would go the same way but the plucky race officer went with it. Only 9 brave GPs took to the water and surprisingly Matt & Carley Burge were the only swimmers. Matt & Greg in Chuckie led for most of the race but failed to cover Mike & Ian (White Knuckles) on the final run and paid the price. Cheers ll (Mike Riley & Andy Barnsley) came 3rd
Monday 16 August	Again the not very inviting F4-5 caused a few capsizes amongst the 16 GPs but once again it produced a good sail. David & Barbara Brann, back from their sailing holiday enthused, proved uncatchable from the start although runners up, Mike & Ian in White Knuckles were always close. Mike Riley & Andy Barnsley returned some form to secure third.
Thursday 12 August	It seemed that summer was on the way out for tonight's race but 17 GPs launched in the uninviting F4 which in the end was enjoyed by all with some close racing. Once Matt Burge & Jez Nickolls in The Big Floater, got a hold of things they were unstoppable with the just a race for the spoils remaining. Helped by Andy & Alison's OCS and the same for Mike & Ian, Serina & Matt in Chuckie took 2nd beating Moby (Andy & Taras) into 3rd.
Monday 9 August	13 GPs turned out the day after our Open Weekend of 5 races. With only a trickle of wind as we arrived at the club, little wind while we raced and even less at the end it was quite an anticlimax from the previous days but we did squeeze out a short triangle and sausage, with the beat turning to a spinnaker reach. Ian & Mike in White Knuckles came in 1st ahead of Matt & Luke in Chuckie with Mike & Maggs (Gateau Passion) third but not a race to remember.
Thursday 5 August	The hot weather and sunshine fooled the 18 strong GP14 fleet into ignoring the stiff SW breeze F5 at times and once the kites went up, over they started to go. Matt Burge in the Big Floater, stuck for a crew last minute, grabbed Pete Frith from the Ospreys for his first sail in a geep and without the bung still finished 1st. Moby looking good for 2nd place was pipped at the end by the Macregor's (Andy & Alison).
Monday 2 August	As the F4 increased with wind over tide the start for the 15 GP14s turned to a farce when most of the fleet, bunched at the starboard end were over the line and un-aware of a general recall. Only one boat read the signals correctly and waited for the restart but as the pack rounded the first lap of the small course the new start coincided with the fleet crossing the line for lap two. Only a few realised and restarted, amongst them Anne & Serina (Beez Neez) holding the lead to the final stage to be beaten by the Williams's in Gateau Passion.
Thursday 29 July	After 2 general recalls the Race Officer switched to a different line and 18 GPs eventually got away. A long race with a true beat, two good reaches in a mainly F3-4. Matt Burge in the Big Floater was something else again and steamed away from the off. Andy & Alison Macgregor (Out of Control) managed to get up to 2nd and hold it but were no challenge. An enjoyable, close race for all where Andy &Taras in Moby well earned their 3rd.
Monday 26 July	16 boats enjoyed a long race in a shifty NW F3. Those who chose the starboard end chose well, making the first mark in one with Matt Burge & Jez in The Big Floater making early gains ahead of Cheers ll (Mark Taylor & Andy Barnsley). The Williams's in Gateau Passion climbed the fleet to briefly challenge but the leaders read the beats well to comfortably finish in that order.
Thursday 22 July	After a general recall in a pleasant South-Easterly, 18 GPs got away. Still bunched at the windward mark, Andy & Alison Macgregor led ahead of White Heat but the absence of their bung took it's toll as they began to sink. After the wing mark the wind died and by the time it filled in the race had been shortened and the on form Macgregor's had claimed another first with the Williams's 2nd and Den & Clyde just clinching the third. The wind then decided to go North !! that's sailing.
Monday 19 July	Only a F2 to play with but a decent turnout of 19 GPs. Mark Taylor & Andy Barnsley's run of 2 wins in a row ended with a 3rd as Matt Burge was back, storming the race with David & Barbara (White Heat) 2nd.
Thursday 15 July	A blowey evening with some good kite reaches made an exciting race for the 16 GPs. Andy and Alison Macgregor needed a win to secure the series but capsizing at the gybe mark wasn't in their script. Determined to get back they worked hard and congratulations to them, they did it. Mike & Ian in White Knuckles came in 2nd ahead of the Brann's in White Heat.
Monday 12 July	20 GPs enjoyed the sunshine and a long race in a F3 that kept up. It was another solid performance from the Mark Taylor/Andy Barnsley duo who again proved unstoppable. David & Barbara Brann did their best to push them to come from mid fleet in tricky and shifty conditions. The tactics by the Kuzyk team of Mike & son Giles (8) of swapping duties of helm & crew on different legs, paid off and earned them a 3rd.
Thursday 8 July	Of the 9 GPs that started in the gusty northerly F4-6, three of them were soon limping home with tales of woe. Mike Arrow & Ian Aitken led round one then headed for the wrong mark allowing the followers through. Realising their error, they shot back and still managed to reclaim top spot to win just ahead of John Waters & Trevor Vaille in Wet Bits with Moby (Andy Welch & Taras Palamarcuk) 3rd.
Monday 5 July	The day after the club Regatta and still a good turnout of 19 GPs. The low water, big shifts, plate scraping and strong tide had a lot to play in tonight's race but mastering the conditions best were Mark Taylor & Andy Barnsley who flew from start to finish and the Brann's (David & Barbara) who did it the hard way with a good start, then mid fleet eventually earning a 2nd. Mike & Maggs worked hard to take 3rd.
Monday 28 June	A gusty F4-5 enticed 17 GPs to race with a few ending up swimming. Andy & Taras in Moby, always up for it in this sort of breeze, led start to finish. Mike Arrow & Martin Trim done well to climb up to 2nd holding off John Waters & Trevor Vaille to 3rd. Definitely not a race for the lightweights or lighthearted but good fun .......(I think !)
Monday 21 June	The longest day of the racing calendar, a beautiful sunny evening, with a steady southwesterly wind. It should have been the best (and longest) sail of the year, but this evening Poole Yacht Club became Poole Football Supporters Club and the race was finished after just 44 minutes. Only twelve GP14's, firmly maintaining the club's sailing heritage, battled against a fast ebbing tide. Gateau Passion, Indecisive and White Heat punched the tide, neck and neck to the windward mark, with White Heat tacking under Gateau Passion to nip inside, only to bear away for the wrong mark and allowing the other two leaders to pull ahead. Out of Control, helmed by owner Jan Hines and crewed by Andy MacGregor pressured White Heat, but with no time left it was Indecisive (Ian Wall and Ted Hewitt), followed by Gateau Passion (Mike and Maggie Williams), with White Heat (David and Barbara Brann) third.
Thursday 17 June	A breezy F4 but only 11 GPs came out to play, due to some football match with yours truly also choosing the latter. The story goes that it turned into the usual duel between the Burges (Matt & Andy) and the Macgregors (Andy & Alison) and finished in that order. Moby (Andy Welch & Taras Palamarcuk) did lead on the windy tight reach, probably due to their weight, (sorry boys ) but eventually settled for 3rd.
Thursday 10 June	With a full on over 20 knots south-westerly it was a fat boys race. White Knuckles was in the lead by the windward mark closely followed by The Big Floater. These two boats managed to say upright along the first screaming reach, planing round the jibe mark, and halfway up the second reach, where The Big Floater capsized. Most of the fleet had by now taken down their spinnakers with several crews going for a swim. White Knuckles was pipped at the line by The Big Floater who made a great recovery after the race was inappropriately shortened after 30 minutes, but it was the best 30 minutes sailing this season.
Monday 7 June	Bright sunshine and 10 knots of south-easterly greeted the 18 Gp14 competitors, a strong ebb tide caused a general recall. David & Barbara in White Heat got the best start at the pin end and lead the fleet to the windward mark, staying there for the rest of the race. Calypso (Tony & Richard) dropped back from 2nd after taking a penalty allowing Mike & Maggs (Gateau Passion) past. Mike & Ian in White Knuckles, after a bad start sailed into 3rd from 7th by keeping in the stronger wind in the channel.
Thursday 3 June	A turnout of 21 GPs with a F3 and good racing throughout the fleet. The fight at the front became a match race between the Macgregors (Andy & Alison) and the Burge's (Matt & Andy). Continually swapping positions it finished close in that order. The Brann's again came in third just pipping Stuart & Jamie. For yours truly, our fight was for 10th place taking it on the line by a nose. Good stuff.
Thursday 27 May	The sunshine and a moderate easterly promised some good sailing but the wacky course disappointed with fetches and runs. Of the 16 GPs, the port enders came out best with Den & Richard in Super Chuck leading at the windward mark but intent on trying the kite next leg allowed the next pack through. The end the race turned into a duel between the Macgregors (Andy & Allison) and the Burges (Matt & Andy), finishing in that order with another Duo the Brann's taking 3rd.
Monday 24 May	Another warm evening for the 20 GPs with a F2 south-westerly. The long beat suited the top boats with most of them up there by the first mark. Mike & Maggs's winning ways continued in Gateau Passion proving once again that they were the boat to catch this year.
Thursday 20 May	Warm and sunny for 16 GP14's starting of the last race of the spring series. With a shifty Northerly F3 and gusts up to 20 knots it was intermittent planing conditions with several capsizes including Jim Macgregor and Barbara in White Heat who joined the 4 retirements. The Big floater took the lead on the first leg to RBX followed by Wet Bits and White Knuckles. By the end of the second beat White Knuckles had the lead only to capsize at windward mark allowing The Big Floater and Gateau Passion past. First over the finish, Gateau Passion was followed by The Big Floater then White Knuckles. The Big Floater wins the series, well done Andy MacGregor and Andy Burge.
Monday 17 May	20 GP14s turned out to enjoy a warm sunny evening race in a F3. An error in the starting procedure meant a recall and another chance for those who started previously at the unfavoured end. On the second beat with the top boats in front, a 60 degree windshift turned the tables and Ian Wall & Ted Hewitt (Indecisive) went from 5th to 1st and sailing well held off the opposition to win their first race.
Thursday 13 May	With Monday's race cancelled through lack of wind, tonight's 14 GPs were grateful for something sailable if only a F2. The two Andy's (MacGregor & Burge) soon began to dominate but this time some new opposition in the blue boat Wet Bits (John Waters & Trevor Vaile). These two fought it out but the new opposition were kept at bay. From an average start Mike & Maggs picked boats off to gain 3rd.
Thursday 6 May	A pleasant evening with a F3 for the 16 GP14s but the low water springs dictated a course up & down the channel resulting with beats & runs. The fleet spread the start line but the starboard enders came off best in what turned out to be tactical race. David & Barbara's individual recall in White Heat didn't deter them from a well earned 3rd. Tony & Dave (Calypso) climbed the fleet throughout to lead then lost it on the line by inches to Mike Arrow & Ian Aitken in White Knuckles.
Monday 3 May	Loads of incoming tide dominated the race after a start delayed until sufficient safety cover was available. Mike & Ian led 15 boats from the beginning closely followed by David & Barbara. Two good planing reaches saw the first two positions still unchanged. Third place was contested between Indecisive, Reflection (Steve Brown & Sue Southam) and Cheers II (Mike Riley & Andy Barnsley ??). Steve put himself out of the running by staying too far in the tide on the run from Ham to Wills Mark, and Mike Riley lost out on the final leg to the line from Wills Mark by heading for the wall. White Knuckles, White Heat and Indecisive went for the far end of the line to take 1st, 2nd & 3rd. Mike & Maggs were disadvantaged by turning back half-way up the first beat once they decided they had been over the line at the start.
Thursday 29 April	Another 99 course with a downwind start to Balls Lake in a NN easterly saw Andy McGregor and Andy Burge in the Big Floater away first, closely followed by Ian & Ted in Indecisive and Mike & Ian in White Knuckles. The fleet converged with the Day Boats at Balls Lake, where rounding in opposite directions made for some rapid close-quarter maneuvering. Once out of the melee and on the beat back to 68, most of the fleet took the right hand side of the course, letting Indecisive get to the 2nd mark in first place by going left and taking advantage of more wind. Despite the unfamiliar position, Indecisive held on to first for two more legs until the last mark, when White Heat & White Knuckles both passed to take 1st and 2nd.
Monday 26 April	A pleasant evening for the 19 GPs but that's about all. The course was set for an easterly which died before the start resulting in a mass paddle out. At the start the wind had filled south westerly but with most of the fleet believing there was a general recall they all returned except for Anne & Nicky in Beez Neez who watched the visual signals and won a lonely race. The rest of the fleet some 10 minutes later after realising their mix up, processioned off with Calypso (Tony & Richard) taking 2nd in front of Andy & Taras in Moby.
Thursday 22 April	The new "Two Andys" team of MacGregor & Burge are becoming hard to beat especially in a tactical race. Today was one of those but Mike & Maggs did at least, give them a run for their money. David & Barbara Brann in White Heat recovered from mid fleet by spotting a quick change in the tide and well earned their 3rd place.
Monday 19 April	Of the 14 GPs in light winds, many missed the start due to congestion on the slipway. Yours truly being amongst them had no idea what went on but not surprised to hear that the favourites were up there with Gateau passion (Mike & Maggs) 1st in front of Tony & Richard (Calypso) with Mike Riley & Andy Barnsley in Cheers ll, 3rd.
Thursday 15 April	A turnout of 14 GPs in a South-westerley F2-3. Those who chose to tack early to benefit from the tide lost the advantage of a windbend. The two Andy's (Macgregor & Burge) got it right again and once at Balls Lake mark, rounded and were not seen again. Super Chuck in contention for 2nd found it difficult on the kite reaches as the wind began to play around. The spinnaker expert made the most of it with the Williams's (Mike & Maggs) coming through to finish 2nd and the Brann's (David & Barbara) taking 3rd with the wind now easterly F3.
Monday 12 April	Not quite as cold tonight. In a light north-westerly Thirteen GP14's arrived at the start but with the tide flooding most of them were early. After the general recall, first away was Beez Neez (Anne & Nicky) followed by Indecisive. On the broad reach, the wind filling in from the North was spotted by David & Barbara Brann in White Heat who sailed into it and went from 6th to 1st by the leeward mark, followed by Super Chuck (Den & Luke) and Mike & Ian in White Knuckles. In the increasing wind the three leading boats pulled away from the fleet with Super Chuck winning the battle for second place.
Thursday 8 April	Another cold evening with 16 GP14s started at the 2nd attempt in low water and another channel course. At the favoured end there were winners and losers with the fleet spread out at the first mark but the tactical beat to the next mark proved more important. Matt & Andy Burge in The Big Floater judged it right and once in front held it to the end. A well earned 2nd place for Mike Kuzyk & son Giles (aged 8) for keeping the Williams duo at bay and into third place.
Monday 5 April	Only 4 GPs managed to start on time. Six others were caught in a hold up on the slipway and started late and well out of it. On a channel reaching course due to very low water, Beez Neez was first away but couldn't hold off Moby, so a win for Andy & Taras and a 2nd for the girls in Beez Neez (Anne Short & Nicky Byrne) ahead of Mike Riley in Cheers.
Thursday 1 April	Dull and raining with a chilly easterly 3-4 only temped 11 GPs. The favourites made the most of the start but Richard & Den in Super Chuck done well to make it first to the windward mark with Mike Arrow & Ian Aitken fighting hard to catch them. Round two they got through and went on to win but the battle for the spoils opened up when Super Chuck had spinnaker problems. Matt & Andy Burge claiming water at the last mark looked good for 2nd but Cheers ll (Mark Taylor & Mike Riley) rounded tight with them allowing Super Chuck a wide berth to gain clear air and beat them on the line with the Burge's coming 4th.
Monday 29 March	An 8/10 knot easterly, and ten GP's on the start line, great sailing for the first evening race of the season. Moby lead the way to the windward mark but was overtaken by Calypso on the reach. Using the windshifts on the second beat from Ham to Wills, White Heat and White Knuckles managed to battle through the fleet to the front. First over the line White Heat (David & Barbara Brann) followed by White Knuckles (Mike Arrow & Martin Trim) then Andy & Taras in Moby.