Race Reports 2006

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

SUNDAY AUTUMN SERIES
Sunday 16 Sept	With a 3 to 4 south easterly, bright sunshine, and 9 GP’s on the start, it looked good for the first of the autumn Sundays. A combined start with the fast and slow handicap fleets provided excitement with an out of control 49er barging in at the pin and wiping out White Knuckles, Indecisive, Moby and a Day boat. Indecisive finally emerged from the carnage first followed by White Knuckles. The club wall had a massive advantage for the second beat enabling Wahoo2 to briefly take the lead. The tricky run saw Indecisive into the lead and across the finish followed by White Knuckles, who battled back from 5th, and Moby.
LATE SUMMER SERIES (Evenings)
Thursday 7 Sept	Hearts sank at the re-appearance of the crack team of Commodore Rainback and Andy Burge in The Big Floater, in anticipation of another evening of transom watching. However, a shifty northerly and strong tide made conditions interesting, and for once the boys did not have it all their own way. Talula (Mike & Maggs in their last race of the season) and Reflection (Anne with Nikky Brown) had a reasonable lead by the second mark on a short triangle course, however the third leg beating into the tide proved to be the tricky one. Talula and The Floater got it right, while Reflection demonstrated how not to round a mark in strong tide, and lost out to White Knuckles (Mike & Ian) and Calypso (Tony & Richard). Places changed in the lead group, with White Heat and Moby gaining all the time, until the last beat, when Big Floater, White Knuckles and Talula went too far on the starboard tack, while Reflection and Calypso tacked early for the finish line. Was this to be the day when the crown slipped? Well done Tony & Richard who won in Calypso, with Reflection just missing out to The Floater to take third. There is hope…
Monday 4 Sept	Brilliant sailing, almost a F4 but with the nights drawing in a "Well done" to our Race Officer who stuck his neck out sending the fleet of 15 GP14s round for a third lap and finishing us just within the time limit. Close racing with White Knuckles, Moby, White Heat, Talula, Super Chuck & Reflection all contending honours. The long beats had position changes but Mike & Ian in White Knuckles with White Heat (David & Barbara) in 2nd ended as a fair result. The last reach had Super Chuck in 3rd but with Mike & Maggs in Talula up their a**e, say no more they finished 4th.
Thursday 31 Aug	A reasonable turnout of 18 GPs in a steady F3-4. The long unbiased start line had most of the boats arriving at the windward mark together, despite the long beat. The favourites were first to round and once the kites went up the gaps appeared. Mike & Maggs (Talula) continued their run of form, even Tony & Richard, back to winning ways in Calypso couldn't catch them. The two lap race ended with David & Barbara Brann in White Heat third and them girls again (Anne & Serina) in Reflection, fourth. An enjoyable race, more of these please but there's only 2 weeks of evening sailing left. Where's the season gone ?
Monday 28 Aug	Another gusting north-westerly had those who experienced the Open meeting huddled nervously round the wind gauge in the bar, but with the wind starting to drop just before six o’clock the race went ahead. Moby made the early pace on a great short course with perfect reaching angles, but lost out going too wide on the first run. Reflection (Anne and guest crew Terry Greene) briefly took the lead but Matt and Serina in Chuckie went straight up the tide for the third beat and popped out well in front at the windward mark. Reflection and White Knuckles (Mike and Ian) passed Chuckie on the reaches but another storming beat from Matthew left Chuckie in pole position down the last run to take the race from White Knuckles with Reflection third.
Thursday 24 Aug	The Fleet set off on course 83 in an NE – Force 3 variable wind with a strong incoming tide. It was Mike Arrow and Ian Aitken in White knuckles to the first mark then Andy Welch and Taras Palamarcuk in Moby following close behind to take the lead on the third gybe mark. The two boats hustled over 2 laps of the course but Moby held the lead to take 1st place followed by White Knuckles and 3rd place taken by Martin Trim and Greg McLaughlin in Moondust.
Monday 21 Aug	Eleven GPs enjoyed a breezy F4-5 race well won by Matt & Serina in Chuckie. Mike & Ian's OCS and subsequent restart helped a little but with most boats opting for No Kites on the first two reaches, these two were up for it, screamed off and had it sewn up or so it seemed. With the race officer choosing to shorten after 45 minutes White Heat (David & Barbara) spotted the signals and by tacking early managed to beat Mike & Ian to the line.
Mon 14 Thu 17 Aug	With Mondays race cancelled through very little wind, Thursdays F3-4 was perfect. A bit blowey at the start but it didn't stop Mike & Maggs in Talula from giving the fleet a trouncing. Anne & Serina (Reflection) continued their run of form earning them second place.
Thursday 10 Aug	With a F4 wind from a northerly direction, the twelve GPs that went out certainly underestimated the gusts. Mike & Ian in White Knuckles were up for it and soon had it sewn up. As the race went on, so did the the capsizes and retirements. Some boats misread the signals and sailed in before the finish leaving Moby (Andy & Taras) to hold second with third place going to late starters Andy & Jenny Macgregor in Out of Control.
SUMMER SERIES (Evenings)
Thursday 3 Aug	Planing conditions and bright evening sunshine greeted only fifteen, (depleted by the holiday season) competitors. It doesn’t get much better than this, so cancel your holidays and come sailing at Poole instead. White Knuckles was first off the line and first round the windward mark. The long reach to Balls Lake favoured the lighter crews allowing Talula to blast into the lead from fourth. A 20 degree shift to the right was missed by the leading boats as they rounded the leeward mark but gave Calypso who tacked at the mark, a massive gain to take the lead. Well done Tony, was that luck or judgment? First over the finish, Calypso followed by Talula and White Knuckles.
Monday 31 July	Too blustery for me, hence another report from the bar. F4-5 (they say!!) 9 boats, 1st Mike & Ian, 2nd Matt & Serina with Ian & Ted 3rd.
Thursday 27 July	Warm and Sunny again with a steady F3-4 but the postponed start due to the Mirror European's still out there, sent a few home. Of the 15 GP14 competitors, White Knuckles (Mike & Ian) made the perfect start, unopposed on the biased line. The small course gave close racing and excitement especially rounding the marks. Russell & Clive did their best to hang on to White Knuckles for most of the race but a slip up near the end sent them tumbling down the fleet allowing Andy & Alison in Out of Control to take second with Chuckie (Matt & Luke) retaining the third spot which they had held throughout.
Monday 24 July	Hot, Sunny, hardly any wind and the thought of paddling to the line compared to relaxing on the club balcony watching 'em with an ice cold Fosters was no contest. The so called race was won by Mike & Maggs (Talula) with Chuckie (Matt & Serina) second and Mike & Ian in White Knuckles third.
Thursday 20 July	With Mondays race abandoned after ten minutes through lack of wind, tonight 18 GPs were repaid with a two hour race in warm sunshine and F3-4 breezes throughout. With eyes again on the unbeatable Big Floater (Colin & Andy), the early stages saw the turn of White Knuckles (Mike Arrow & Carley Burge) to gaze at their transom. Mike & Maggs in Talula, took up the chase later in the race and managed to keep the gap respectable. After four rounds, assuming the course had been sailed, White Knuckles sailed in and others followed. Reflection (Anne & Serina) lying fourth read the race signals, continued round and by holding their place, finished third.
Thursday 13 July	Shorts weather again for the 17 GP14s but low water and only a F2 to play with. The course, beating down the channel with the tide and back to club on the turn of the tide worked well and a nice change of scenery may I say. With our current Commodore (Colin Rainback) competing at the helm of Big Floater with Andy Burge as crew, it's hard to hang on to these guys but hope was at hand as tonight, White Heat was being driven by past commodore Jim Macgregor and Chrissie. Were we to see an upset ? Alas not this time, a poor start from our hopefuls left them a difficult task but they did recover well and climb up to finish second. Tony & Richard in Calypso returned some form to take third.
Monday 10 July	Unable to report fully due to family commitments but the low turnout of 11 GP14s enjoyed a steady F4. Ian & Ted (Indecive) led the early stages but a return to winning ways from White Knuckles (Mike & Ian) followed by the new duo of Andy & Sue in Moby, left them in third.
Thursday 6 July	A good entry of 20 GP14s on a warm evening and a steady F2-3. With Matt Burge at the helm of Big Floater it was a case of first you see him then you don't. The lead at the windward mark with Super Chuck the nearest rival, suggested they were catchable but once the spinnakers were up they were gone. The race for second place was more even with positions changing on every round but the final lap saw Den & Clyde in Super Chuck, return as the leaders of the pack. From the final mark to the line, White Heat (David & Barbara), only three lengths behind, cracked off for their final challenge. Super Chuck covered and hung on but White Heat paid the price as Stuart & Jamie in Shaddowfax, by sailing high, had pipped them for third.
Monday 3 July	A hot sultry evening for the 16 GP14s but with very light winds rarely above F1, the small windward leeward course in the channel was suited. The pile up at the favoured pin end start, saw the favourite, Matt Burge in The Big Floater well buried with the running being taken up by Mike Arrow & Ian Aitken in White Knuckles. At the half way stage of the two hours plus race, a true to form Burge, proved why he was not the 420 and Fireball Champion for nothing. The cat and mouse for these two finally went to the Big Floater with Mike & Maggs in Talula climbing throughout to earn them a third.
Thursday 29 June	What have we done to deserve the scourge of light winds that have arrived at Poole, let’s hope it goes away soon. Thursday night was painful with 3 to 8 knots of easterly and a very strong ebb tide for most of the race. Light crews had the advantage with 18 GP’s on the start. Big floater was first to the windward mark closely followed by White Heat and White Knuckles, the five leading boats went to the Hamworthy side of the long run, the rest of the fleet went left and were never seen again. White Heat was first over the finish only to find they were OCS giving first place to Talula (Mike & Maggs) followed by Andy's, Clewer & Burge in Big Floater then White Knuckles (Mike & Ian) third.
Monday 26 June	A small continuous triangular course was chosen due to the strong flood tide and the light F2-3 breeze but of the 12 GP14s that started, none adhered to the individual recall. White Knuckles stormed the first beat with a pack of six in pursuit. The shallow reaches brought minor changes but successive beats in the fierce tide kept turning the tables. It ended as an exciting, close race with Chuckie (Matt & Serina) crossing first ahead of White Knuckles with Out of Control (Jenny & Kate Macgregor) third but with the race officer adjudging the first two as OCS and the latter retiring for missing a mark, the fourth boat to finish, White Heat (David Brann & Chrissie Macgregor), was awarded the honours with Mike & Maggs in Talula second and Super Chuck (Den & Clyde) third.
Thursday 22 June	The long debate as to which of the South-westerly windward marks to use proved insignificant when the wind veered NW before the start. 18 GPs started in a F4 at all points of the line but soon Andy & Alison Macgregor, fired up for the Nationals, took the lead in Out of Control. By the time the wind had dropped a notch, Moby had established second spot ahead of White Heat. Processional from then on, in what must be the longest race of the season. Shame there were no beats.
Monday 19 June	Summer has left us, so with the choice of sailing in the chilly blustery F4-5 or a pint of Fosters, this report comes from the wimps corner of the clubhouse. Of the twelve GPs that started, David & Barbara Brann in White Heat took the lead and were looking good. By the end of a second pint of Fosters it finished Mike & Ian (White Knuckles) first, Indecisive (Ian & Ted) next with Mike & Maggs (Talula) third.
Thursday 15 June	With Englands FIFA World Cup match kicking off at 5 p.m. the clubhouse was busy but 17 GPs confident of a win switched to sailing at half time. The race in a sunny F3 and strong tide brought mixed fortunes but the Brann's in White Heat kicked off the new summer series with a win ahead of The Big Floater (Andrew Clewer & Andy Burge) with Mike & Maggs third. Once ashore it was who won the footie and with our Commodore spreading the rumour of a 1-0 defeat (Rooney own Goal) there were some sad faces in the showers. Back in the bar with the truth revealed, faith was restored in the team but sadly not in our Commodore. Mind you, "Rooney own goal" we should have realised !
SPRING SERIES (Evenings)
Thursday 8 June	19 GPs turned out for a SE F2 on a hot sunny balmy evening. Den & Clyde (Super Chuck) set the early pace but were overtaken by the third mark. White Heat piloted by Lucy Macregor with Barbara Brann crewing, tussled with Andrew Clewer & Andy Burge in Big Floater before finally pulling clear on the last lap. Reflection (Anne & Serina) put in a good couple of beats to take third from Super Chuck. Congratulations to Lucy and Barbara but the series still went to Big Floater.
Monday 5 June	Another pleasant sail for the 11 GPs in a shifty F2. A windward leeward course was chosen so plenty scope for position changes which there were except for Moby (Andy & Sue), they got ahead, stayed focussed and won not only the race but their first series. Mike & Maggs Williams took second, ahead of Anne Short & Richard Lane in Reflection.
Thursday 1 June	Summer's arrived and 19 GPs enjoyed the sunshine and a warm shifty F2-3. Most agreed that the race should have been longer especially the commodore, Colin Rainback & Andy Burge (Big Floater). These two led all the way but in covering White Knuckles, (the boat behind) allowed David & Barbara Brann in White Heat to exploit a different route up the final beat and win denying the commodore another victory. Mike & Maggs pressurising all the time came in 3rd with White Knuckles 4th.
Monday 29 May	The sunshine tempted 8 GP14s despite the odd gust of 30 knots. Mike & Maggs flew of the line and started to look comfortable but they must have noticed the black clouds charging in. The option of the open bar was soon realised to be wise as Zap, the squall hit, the heavens opened and 5 GPs were over. Matt & Serina in Chuckie stayed upright, still managing to gybe at the Mark to hold on and take the one lap race. Richard & Anne (Reflection) took a late tack at the mark to stay upright beating Barry & Sue in Moby for 2nd place. They said they enjoyed it ?!
Thursday 25 May	With the last two races blown off it was nice to get back to normal and the gentle F3-4 proved perfect for the 18 GP14s. Back to normal also for the Commodore, Colin Rainback out again calling the tune with Andy Burge in the Big Floater. Super Chuck (Den & Clyde) did the chasing on the first lap but a couple of missed windshifts allowed Mike & Ian through in White Knuckles but still the leaders were uncatchable. The finish saw Super Chuck holding third by a couple of lengths from the threatening White Heat team of David & Barbara Brann.
Monday 15 May	It's turned cold again and with the blustery F4 only 11 GPs launched to race. Seven boats ended up swimming but Mike & Ian in White Knuckles got in front and stayed afloat to win ahead of Moby (Sue & Andy) who did capsize. Ian & Ted (Indecisive) also capsized and recovered to take third. Tales of woe from everyone but let's hope it warms up again.
Thursday 11 May	A fine Sunny evening and a good turnout of 23 GP14s. The F2 at the start soon began to fall but the early leaders had a good race before it finally died. True to form, The Big Floater (Colin & Andy) again showed the way with the challenges coming from Mike & Maggs and the Brann's finishing in that order. Not such an enjoyable sail for those that failed recognise the course change before the start and the tail enders that resorted to paddling to beat the tide (or get to the bar).
Monday 8 May	Only 10 GPs lined up in sunshine and a mainly F3-4 with gusts. The final result went to Moby (Andy & Sue Southam) with Mike & Maggs second and the Macgregors in Out of Control, third.
Thursday 4 May	Another turnout of 19 GP14s in the warmest day so far and gentle F3 breezes. The mission was to halt the Commodore's run after last week's trouncing but alas, the Rainback & Burge team in The Big Floater, again got away. The Brann's (White Heat) did their bit early on but dropped to third when some brave tactics failed and Out of Control (Andy & Alison Macgregor) came through.
Monday 1 May	Only eight Gp14s took to the water on a pleasant Bank Holiday evening however a good race was had with positions changing throughout the short, mainly channel, course. The Williams' led from the start but were unable to hold off White Heat who crossed the finish line first and Moby with new crew steadily moved up the fleet from a poor start to finish third.
Thursday April 27	19 GPs enjoyed the best evening race so far. Milder as of late with a F3-4 but the very low water meant up & down the channel a couple of times before the triangle. With the Commodore, Colin Rainback guest helming for Andy Burge in The Big Floater it would always be tough and with extra tactics needed in the strong tide none of the regulars offered much of a challenge. The rest of the fleet had close racing with Mike & Ian (White Knuckles) next best and Mike & Maggs third.
Monday April 24	Not so cold and very little wind for the low turnout of 9 GPs. One thing for sure is that the one's that stayed away didn't miss much. Most of us paddled to the line, fought the tide to the windward mark, struggled in the lee of Brownsea Island to the next mark then becalmed at times with gusts of force half from any direction to mark 3 where they finished us 85 minutes from the start. Most of the fleet thought they were in with a chance especially Mike Arrow & Ian as they led most of the way but David Brann & Kate Macgregor crossed first followed by Mike & Maggs with Super Chuck (Den & Clyde) third. A race to forget !
Thursday April 20	A good turn out for the first Thursday evening race of the season with 14 GP14’s on the start, several new boats and crews. Snowy was early and decided to reach across the front of the fleet wiping out White Heat and allowing Mike Arrow and Greg McLoughlin in the new White Knuckles to get a clear start at the pin. After the long beat to Piccadilly White Knuckles was first to the windward mark closely followed by Tony Moore and Richard Lane in Calypso who took the lead on the second reach. With marginal planing conditions favouring the lighter crews David and Barbara Brann in White Heat managed a good recovery to finish first followed by Calypso and White Knuckles.
Monday April 17	Bank holiday Monday and a fairly mild evening compared with previous weeks but only 11 GP14s turned out for the first race of the new season. In a force 3-4 westerly with low water dictating a channel course the tactical race soon saw Jenny Macgregor helming Out of Control leading the field with Andy Mac as crew. This lead of the two lap race was held finishing ahead of The Branns in White Heat with Matt Burge & Steve Thompson (Big Floater) only managing third. Well done Jenny ! Keep these 420 and Fireball Champions in their place.