Race Reports 2005

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

SUNDAY AUTUMN SERIES
Sunday 23 Oct	The forecast of a mild dry day with a F3-4 westerly for the 8 GPs was wrong. A drifting start, shifty gusts and during the rain it was cold. Moby made the early running but the final lap saw the new girly team of Anne Short & Nicky Brown in Reflection get their tactics right to win ahead of Mike Arrow & Ian Aitken in White Knuckles ll.
Sunday 16 Oct	F3-4 NE, plus interesting and good course (24) saw Anne make it to the first mark (Stans) in Reflection, followed by White Heat, the Williams, and White Knuckles (but not necessarily in that order). Things stayed much the same until after RBX when an altercation between Mike Williams and Mike Arrow provided some spectator sport for the rest of us (apparently there was some dispute over the degree and aggressiveness of luffing by Mike A). After Latch Mike Williams took his ball and went home, while the rest of the fleet split left & right to get to Cake's mark with no obvious advantage either way. Back to Latch as the wind freshened, then to the line gave David and Barry a win, followed by Mike and Ian, with Indecisive just managing to beat Anne over the line. A good time was had by (almost) all. 1st: White Heat, David Brann & Barry Southam 2nd: White Knuckles, Mike Arrow & Ian Aitkin 3rd: Indecisive, Ian Wall & Jon Harris
Sunday 2 Oct	With sunshine and a north-westerly F4 nine GP,s made it to the start. White Knuckles was first off the line and first to round Ham, but were soon overtaken by M&M with superior downwind boat speed on the long reaches to Piccadilly. On the third shifty beat back, White Knuckles second, decided to cover Moby third, but lost to White Heat on the other side of the course. First over the finish was M&M followed by White Heat who just pipped White Knuckles at the line. Great racing!
Sunday 25 Sept	Sunshine and a F4-5 for the Wareham race, well at least that way and a nice change. The beat down there and a fast reach back took only one casualty of the 6 starters. Mike Arrow and Ian Aitken led from the off and proved uncatchable. The saga of their spreaders may be over as they reckon they've now got them right. The latest three hour tuning session has paid off, said Mike......... Watch this space.
Sunday 18 Sept	A warm, sunny beautiful day but No Wind - No Race
LATE SUMMER SERIES
Thursday 15 Sept	The beat to Moriconium mark saw Indecision (Ian & Ted) round first, only to find out the hard way that the reach was too close to hold a spinnaker. White Knuckles (Mike & Ian) seized the advantage but as usual by the end of the first lap the Burge's in The Big Floater had gained the lead which they held to the finish. 3rd place went to Andy & Alison in Out of Control. Sadly this was the last of the evening races but the action now switches to Sunday mornings for the Autumn series.
Monday 12 Sept	Thirteen boats turned out for the last Monday race of the season. A biased line caused a crowded pin end with 13835 helmed by guest crews Lucy and Nicky Macgregor and Reflections benefiting from a good getaway. White Heat moved into second place on the second leg while Reflections dropped behind Moby and Chavirez but recovered well to claim third place. The final result decided the series winner as 13835 normally sailed by Mike & Maggie Williams from White Heat with Reflections third.
Thursday 8 Sept	The good turnout of eighteen boats had a short race in fading wind and light. A few were caught out by the strong tide at the start and at the end of the long beat to Balls Lake buoy, Floater (Matt & Andy Burge) had a good lead with the Brann's in White Heat and Moby (Andy & Taras) the next two boats to round. A broad reach to RBX then a close reach to 68 buoy and the finish saw no change in the first three positions.
Monday 5 Sept	Fifteen Gps competed in a force 2-3 easterly and a strong flood tide. David and Celia Bracey stormed to a good early lead only to fall foul of the tide leaving Reflection, White Heat and Moby to sort out the order for the podium finishes. Despite a few changes in position, that was the order of finishing giving Ann and Serena their first win in the new boat.
Thursday 1 Sept	The steady F3-4 and sunshine with the race officer squeezing out 3 laps gave the 15 GP14s a great race as the end of the season nears. A decent start from the Brann's, (David & Barbara) spurred them to head the fleet for most of the race but another duo the Williams's (Mike & Maggs) are now proving difficult to hold off and true to current form, came through. The battle for 3rd was more intense and eventually won by Super Chuck, fighting off the stiff challenges from the girly team (Anne Short & Sue Southam) in Reflections .
Monday 29 Aug	A warm summers evening but the Bank Holiday and very light breezes must have accounted for the turnout of just 13 GP14 boats. The Big Floater with Matt Burge (the new 2005 National 420 Champion) back at the helm of his GP and soon at the front of the fleet. We all tried to push him but how do you catch him ? Anyway, the battle for the spoils went on with Mike & Maggs climbing to finish 2nd. David & Barbara Brann stole the 3rd place in a close finish when Den & Clyde took their eye off the ball whilst fighting the girls (Anne & Serina) in Reflections.
Thursday 25 Aug	With a Fosters in one hand I a can report it was a sunny evening for the 13 GPs but the gusty F4-5 Race was ended after one lap due to a stretched safety team recovering the capsizes. At the windward mark Chuckie (Matt & Serina) were first to pop the kite and shot into the lead. Holding the spinnaker on the tighter third leg paid off further and from then on it was cover. Mike Arrow & Graham Wallen started to challenge towards the end but ended 2nd ahead of Mike & Maggs.
Monday 22 Aug	A low water course up and down the channel for the 14 GP14s. The packed favoured end of the start line brought the usual mayhem with it's winners and losers and without a true beat, one would expect a procession. Far from it, the shifty F3 and strong tide produced plenty of tactical options and opportunities. The race in fact was anyone's but Matt Valentine and Luke Quincey in Chuckie, read the conditions best and once up there covered Moby to the finish with the Williams's in pursuit.
Thursday 18 Aug	Owing to a last minute, drastic windshift the fleet of 17 GPs set off on a downwind spinnaker start. Marrow, Big Floater and Moby chose the hut end of the line and were first to reach the mark. Matt & Andy Burge in The Big Floater took the lead from Marrow and held it to the finish leaving Marrow (Mike Arrow / Ian Aitken) 2nd and Moby (Andy Welch & Taras Palamarcuk) 3rd. Martin and Alison tried hard but finished 13th while Hannah Thompson in her first race finished 15th.
Monday 15 Aug	No club racing during the GP Nationals so it was back to normal but only 11 GP14s out despite the sunshine and light winds. The Branns recognised the bias line and a good start made them difficult to catch. Lots to be gained on the beats and with 3 laps Mike & Maggs fought Anne & Serina in Reflections for 2nd place with it ending in that order.
Thursday 4 Aug	Just a couple of days before the GP14 National Championship at the club we had things on our mind so what happened in the race is rather blurred. I do remember the 15 GPs had a good course in a steady F4 with great reaches with Andy & Alison Macgregor in Out of Control winning ahead of Mike & Ian (White Knuckles ll) then Mike & Maggs 3rd.
Monday 1 Aug	Only a Force one with the 18 GP14s struggling to get round. The short race ended with Calypso (Tony & Richard) ahead of Cheers ll (Mike & Andy) and a great result for Martin Trim & Greg McLoughlin in Moondust coming 3rd.
Thursday 28 July	Too windy for me, the gusty F4-5 attracting only 11 GPs with the 1,2,3 going to Mike Williams & Martin Trim, White Knuckles (Mike Arrow & Ian Aitken) and Ian Wall & Ted Hewett in Indecisive. I watched it from the Bar !
Monday 25 July	Force 2-3 northerly & back to wetsuits for the 14 GP er's. A mistake in the race hut had half the fleet starting on the correct flag early with the remainder starting 3 minutes later so the prospects of a good race on the well chosen course was ruined. However the final results weren't totally reflected from this but the 1,2,3 went to Mike & Ian, Mike & Maggs with David & Barbara 3rd. A nice sail anyway and no protests !
SUMMER SERIES
Thursday 21 July	We turned our noses up to the spinnaker start but this turned out to be a truly exciting race. The sunny evening with 19 GP14s arriving at the mark, kites up, in a Force 4 and a gybe round, I wish I'd brought my camera. The three laps had instances, capsizes and competition right down the fleet. Mike Arrow & Ian Aitken managed their first win in the new boat with The Big Floater (Jamie Thompson & Andy Burge) beating David & Barbara (White Heat) into 2nd. Great fun this sailing lark !
Monday 18 July	With the wind mainly force 5 only 14 GP14s started the 4 lap race. The breezy conditions, true beats and fast reaches had Cheers ll, Calypso and the on form Big Floater all leading at times. A number of capsizes down the fleet but these three stayed upright with the favourites Jamie Thompson and Andy Burge in The Big Floater extending their form.
Thursday 14 July	Another balmy sunny evening for the 21 GP14s with only very light airs to power them. With the wind veering from the start, most boats chose the port end as did early leaders Jamie Thompson and Andy Burge in The Big Floater. This was the boat to catch and Richard & Anne (Reflections) although unsuccessful at least gave them a run for their money. To earn 3rd place the Brann's in White Heat had to overtake boats in what became a processional race.
Monday 11 July	On warm sunny evening, 13 GPs started against a strong tide in light airs. Celtic Tiger (Martin & Alison) led the one lap race to the final leg but fighting the tide in the dying wind took it's toll and boats started going backwards. The leader ended up at the back as they watched Mike & Maggs take 1st place ahead of Sue & Steve in Chavirez. 3rd place went to Tony & Richard sailing Calypso. Nice night, crappy race !
Thursday 7 July	In sunshine and F3-4 breezes, 20 GP14s got away after a General recall. A popular zig zag course was chosen which again everyone enjoyed except perhaps Andy & Alison Macgregor in Out of Control who thought they had secured 2nd place behind The Big Floater but their OCS made Reflections (Anne & Richard) runners up with Mike & Maggs third.
Monday 4 July	With the wind mainly F4 but gusting 30 knots, yours truly decided not to join the 12 GPs. A short race so with 4 of the top boats capsizing it was the case that those that kept upright took the honours. Mike Arrow & Ian Aitken won ahead of Cheers (Mike Riley & Andy Barnsley) with Andy & Taras in Moby 3rd.
Thursday 30 June	The forecasted F4-5 turned out to be a F3-4 so a pleasant sail for the 19 GP14s. With Andy & Alison Macgregor competing in Out of Control, the Burge's in The Big Floater had some work to do and from the off they were chasing but the Macgregor's decision to go wide on the first run to avoid the tide went wrong when the Burge's took the direct route. A long race for them to try and get back but White Heat (David & Barbara Brann) also came through, only managing a 3rd.
Monday 20 June	With last Thursdays race cancelled through lack of wind, tonight's race was also very light. The 20 strong fleet of GP14s started against the tide and with most of the boats at the hut end the congestion had it's winners and losers. Those that got away formed a leading pack with the top duo of Matt & Andy Burge in The Big Floater in front. These two dominated the one lap event leaving just a race for the spoils ending with Mike Arrow & Ian Aitken holding off Mike & Margaret Williams.
Monday 13 June	After a hot sunny day, 17 GPs turned out to race for nearly 2 hours in a pleasant F3-4. With The Big Floater out again, Matt & Andy Burge established another early lead and again, say no more! Tony & Richard (Calypso) in 2nd place held off Mike & Maggs in their new boat leaving the rest of us to fight for the spoils. A most enjoyable race with the cabaret supplied by Andy & Taras in Moby, reinacting the final scenes of Titanic.
Thursday 16 June	15 GP14s started in another windy race, mainly F4 but the heavy gusts caused many capsizes. Ideal conditions for Matt & Andy Burge in The Big Floater, they shot away and were never challenged. Mike & Ian in White Knuckles took 2nd ahead of Ian & Ted (Indecisive). For me, enjoying a fast planing reach we death rolled, tried to right it, failed, boarded the safety boat knackered and summoned a fit lad to come out and get the thing up. RIB comes out with Barry, he jumps in the water, straight onto the plate, up she came and he planed singlehanded back to the slipway. Thanks Barry, Yes I agree, we're getting old!
Monday 13 June	A sunny but breezy F5 with most of the fleet of 15 GPs choosing the pin end. Late arrivers to the line had no choice other than the hut end but it paid off as they joined the leaders at the windward mark. First to round, Indecision (Ian Wall & Ted Hewett) hoisted their kite but bad move, too tight and their lead was lost. Favourites, Matt & Andy Burge in the Big Floater worked hard to to get to the front but once ahead held it convincingly. A well earned 2nd place went to Tony & Richard (Calypso) and the same for Ian & Ted who climbed back to 3rd.
Thursday 9 June	A small square shaped course for the 20 GP14s to suit the strong tide and light South westerly, expected to veer. The fetch from the pin end on port made the race processional with the chance of early gains for those with well timed starts. Moby and White Heat judged it perfectly and proved difficult to catch especially when the predicted wind shift came and still offered no beat. The two leaders fought throughout but the final challenge by White Heat came good by close rounding a mark, giving the Brann's a well earned win.
Monday 6 June	Fifteen GP14's arrived at the start to find a light north-easterly and a strong flowing tide. Most of the fleet tried to start at the pin end and were still trying to cross the line six minutes later, while the lucky five boats who managed to get away by starting down the line were rounding the windward mark, lead by Mike and Maggs Williams in their new boat. Places were won and lost on the long tricky runs but the Williams’s were first to finish followed by Chuckie (Matt & Luke) who just pipped Mike Arrow & Ian Aitken in White Knuckles, at the line.
Thursday 2 June	18 GPs with a pleasant F3-4 to race with. The favoured pin end had it's casualties but favourites Matt & Andy Burge in the Big Floater once clear had to work hard to catch Barry & Sue Southam in Chavirez. With a long 3 lap race they eventually made it but the Southam' s kept the rest of the fleet at bay. Mike & Maggs, in the first outing of their new boat proved they soon settled down by coming home third.
Monday 31 May	Bank holiday Monday and only 12 GPs raced the 3 lap course. The wind F4 veering after the start made the beat one sided and some kite reaches tight but still good fun. The Big Floater with Matt Burge helming with his ace crew are always hard to beat and tonight was no exception although Mike & Ian in White Knuckles did gain the lead for a while but finished 2nd. Chavirez (Steve Brown & Sue Southam) sailed well for 3rd.
SPRING SERIES
Thursday 26 May	A light & variable westerly wind with a strong tide gave plenty of potential for tactical racing in the 20 boat fleet. Moby gained an early lead by creeping along the Hamworthy shore but lost out on the second beat when the south side of the channel was the place to be. David & Barbara Brann in White Heat then took the lead and held it to the end ahead of The Big Floater (Andrew Clewer & Andy Burge) with Andy & Alison Macgregor in Out of Control, third. Barry Southam and Nicky Brown in Chavirez went home pleased not with their 12th place but for the good size Bass that jumped into their boat whilst racing.
Thursday 19 May	Fog rain and a force 4 south-westerly gusting to 22 knots greeted the smaller than usual fleet of GP14's. For the 12 crews that made it, the fog lifted for the start of an exciting race. In White Heat, Jim Macgregor & Barbara Brann were first away at the windward end, and after the long beat to Balls Lake, first to round the windward mark and first over the finish. The well earned 2nd place went to Andrew Clewer & Andy Burge, followed by White Knuckles (Mike Arrow & Ian Aitken) who battled their way up from mid fleet. Good course, good breeze, good stuff !
Monday 16 May	A reaching start gave the Branns in White Heat a chance to exploit the tactics that won them the Bournemouth Pier Race last weekend, but Mike Arrow in White Knuckles had honed his covering skills and slipped past at the first mark. The Branns went low, but the shifting wind went the other way and Tony Moore in Calypso, Anne Short in Reflections and Mike Riley in Cheers II eased by. The fetch to the next mark shifted into a beat and the leaders bunched as they went through the line for the first time. Mike Arrow continued to set the pace; Mike and Maggie Williams, masters in these shifty, light conditions, rose from the back of the fleet into second place, whilst Tony Moore had to settle for fourth, with the Branns pipping him by a boat length at the finish.
Thursday 12 May	Force 5-6 at the end of a very windy day but too blowey for me. Twelve GPs went out with the 1,2,3 being The Big Floater, Gateau Passion then Shadowfax. Plenty of capsizes but they all said they enjoyed it. I still think I made the right decision.
Monday 9 May	15 Gp14s began the low water course in a shifty F3-4. Only 4 boats chose the favoured end with the majority of the fleet at the other end, fighting for the best start with some OCS. The others were able to make early gains with tactics in the tide playing a key role but out of the four best starters John Waters & Trevor Vaille in Wet Bits sailed the best, winning ahead of Mike & Ian in White Knuckles. Leaders for most of the race, Anne Short & Andy Renton in Reflections, finished 3rd.
Sunday 8 May	The annual jaunt out of the harbour for the Bournemouth Pier Race attracted only 7 GP14s. The running start in a blustery F3 to F5 made an exciting change and the Brann's in White Heat were certainly up for it. With spinnakers all the way they were uncatchable but beating back in often rough conditions, Moby began to challenge and must have fancied their chances when the Brann's capsized on their last tack of the race. Alas, they were up in no time and with a boat full of water won the 12 mile race by 2 seconds. Good Stuff !
Thursday 5 May	With a gusty 15 to 22 knots of north-westerly, 15 GP14's made it to the start of an exciting race. With a very short first beat the start was all important. White Knuckles was first off the line and first to the windward mark followed by the Big Floater, only to sail to the wrong mark, realising their mistake they were last to round Wych. Indecisive (Ian Wall & Ted Hewitt) took the lead and was first over the finish followed by The Big Floater (Andrew Clewer & Andy Burge). White knuckles managed to sail through the fleet, past several capsized boats and into third place. Brilliant racing!
Monday 2 May	A blustery southerly F4 but a pleasant mild evening for the 15 GP14 starters. The Brann's in White Heat made early gains but being so far ahead does have disadvantages especially when you miss a mark. Realising and re-rounding allowed the on form Calypso (Tony & Richard) to take a dominating lead with Moby (Andy & Taras) in pursuit. As the wind veered and dropped the final two laps became processional with Den & Clyde in Super Chuck sailing well to hold on to third.
Thursday 28 April	Too blustery for me, I stayed at home but I understand 12 GPs went out and as usual the wind went down. White Knuckles had a good start, in fact too good, adjudged OCS. Mike & Maggs won the race, Anne & Richard in Reflections came 2nd ahead of Stuart & Jamie (Shaddowfax).
Monday 25 April	Very low water and a gusty southerly F3, dictated a reaching channel course for the 17 GP14s. With no beat this was to be a processional race with the start crucial. Tony & Richard (Calypso) timed it to perfection, avoided the pile up at the pin end and once leading the fleet became comfortable winners. White Heat (David & Barbara) had to work harder to gain 2nd place ahead of Wet Bits (John Waters & Trevor Vaile)
Thursday 21 April	The sunshine and light winds tempted 18 GP14s to start on a heavily biased line. The favoured port end saw White Heat (Barbara Brann and guest helm Mark Reynell) starting well and soon establishing the lead. Throughout the four laps, the Kuzyk's, Mike & son Giles (aged 8) challenged but the leaders covered well and won convincingly with the Williams's (Mike & Maggs) sailing well to hold on to third.
Monday 18 April	A fine sunny evening, light winds but still a bit nippy. Only 13 GPs started on the biased line and once away the fleet spread out. Chuckie (Matt & Luke) choosing the left side of the course arrived well ahead at the windward mark but Mark Reynell & Andy Barnsley (Cheers ll) and Matt & Andy Burge in The Big Floater eventually came through to put them 3rd. The battle for first went all the way to the last mark when the Burge's pounced on a poor rounding and won by two lengths.
Thursday 14 April	Not quite so cold, 15 GPs, sunshine and a steady force 3 to get round in. Plenty of post race discussion as to which side of the beat paid off but one things for sure the top boats were up there. Andy & Alison Macgregor (Out of Control) in their first race of the season won convincingly ahead of Mike & Maggs. The Burge's, Matt & Andy in the Big Floater, down the pan after the first beat still managed a 3rd.
Monday 11 April	A good turnout of 16 GPs in a F3 but a zig zag course in low water had us all scraping the bottom at times. The favoured end caused a few pile ups but the Brann's (David & Barbara) in White Heat got away, fought off the opposition and eventually won the one hour race comfortably. Tony & Richard (Calypso) came from a mid fleet start to claim 2nd ahead of John & Trevor in Wet Bits, doing well with their fixed rudder.
Thursday 7 April	The weather forecast caused a low turnout for the first Thursday evening race of the season but nine GP's made it to the start, where the rain stopped and the wind dropped to a pleasant 10 to 15 knots of north westerly. White Knuckles was first off the start but returned for a recall gun only to find they were not over the line. Matt & Andy Burge (Big Floater) was first to the windward mark and to the finish in what became a processional race. In White Heat, David & Barbara Brann finished second with White Knuckles (Mike Arrow) third having managed to climb the fleet.
Monday 4 April	The first evening race of the season turned out to be exciting sailing with 14 GP's making it to the start. The westerly wind increased and veered 30 degrees so the first beat became a fetch. White Knuckles was first to the windward mark closely followed by Moby, with the wind now over 20 knots the fleet planed off to Wych with several capsizes. White Knuckles lead the fleet for most of the race but lost it on the last leg to Moby (Andy & Taras) who were first to finish. Matt & Andy Burge (The Big Floater), after taking a penalty at the start sailed through the fleet to finish second with White Knuckles (Mike & Ian) third.