GP14 Open 2014
The Sunday Open meeting saw four visitors to Frensham join the strong fleet that sails regularly, making a total of 12 boats.
A misty start to the day with promises of an increase in wind held true to BBC weather forecasts and Race One got off on time in a light breeze. Neil Hardie from Frensham returned to GP’s for the day, sailing with Alex Philpot in a borrowed boat, and commanded a clinical and trouble free first race to take honours. Not so for those battling over 2nd, 3rd and 4th with frequent place changes, lively debates on racing rules and some extremely close racing to the finish. Richard Ham from Tollisbury SC sailing with Neil Hardie’s son, Jack, took second and Bryan Taylor with his son Daniel, third.
The battle over first place in Race Two was relentless with a tightly knit fleet and Richard Ham, with Jack Hardie, nudged out ahead. The Taylor’s climbed from third to first on the final beat only to gift the race back to Richard and Jack with a tactical error approaching the finishing line. Richard Lord and Norman Brown from Welsh Harp SC came in third. Neil Hardie and Alex Philpot fought of Andrew Todd, sailing with his daughter Lara, to finish fourth with ‘Toddy’ fifth.
With three boats in the running for overall victory, it was all to be on the last race.
‘Toddy’ and Lara made a spectacular start and reached the windward mark first followed by the Taylors then Neil Hardie / Alex Philpot. Richard Ham /Jack Hardie had a 2nd and 1st up their sleeve but chose the port end of the start line, ran out of water and had to ditch most of the fleet to get back across on port tack. They tested the strength and depth of the Frensham GP14 fleet and were able to climb back up to 4th by the finish.
Bryan and Daniel Taylor finished in a comfortable 1st and took the race and regatta. Neil Hardie and Alex Philpot finished second in the race securing a 2nd overall, leaving Richard Ham and Jack Hardie to discard that race and settle for 3rd overall.
The prize giving was enjoyed over a spectacular sandwich and cake fest and the age of the top crews became evident when the prizes of wine had to be substituted for gift vouchers!
The event was shared with the Enterprise Open meeting which caused only marginal overlapping. We hope the visitors saw the close racing that we enjoy at Frensham every weekend and if they would like to join us again for a Sunday session they are most welcome.
A final thank you to Chris Ellis and the race team who organised an event that was enjoyed by all who took part, as well as Roger Carter and the Enterprise fleet for their part in the day.
GP14 Open 2014
Overall
Sailed: 3, Discards: 1, To count: 2, Entries: 12, Scoring system: Appendix A
Rank
|
Fleet
|
SailNo
|
Club
|
HelmName
|
CrewName
|
Race 1
|
Race 2
|
Race 3
|
Total
|
Nett
|
1st
|
GP14
|
13762
|
FPSC
|
Bryan Taylor
|
Daniel Taylor
|
(3.0)
|
2.0
|
1.0
|
6.0
|
3.0
|
2nd
|
GP14
|
14020
|
FPSC
|
Neil Hardie
|
Alex Philpot
|
1.0
|
(4.0)
|
2.0
|
7.0
|
3.0
|
3rd
|
GP14
|
13866
|
Tollisbury
|
Richard Ham
|
Jack Hardie
|
2.0
|
1.0
|
(4.0)
|
7.0
|
3.0
|
4th
|
GP14
|
14102
|
WHSC
|
Richard Lord
|
Norman Brown
|
(4.0)
|
3.0
|
3.0
|
10.0
|
6.0
|
5th
|
GP14
|
13316
|
Papercourt
|
James Ward
|
Richard Whitehill
|
5.0
|
(13.0 DNF)
|
5.0
|
23.0
|
10.0
|
6th
|
GP14
|
13864
|
FPSC
|
Andy Todd
|
Lara Todd
|
(6.0)
|
5.0
|
6.0
|
17.0
|
11.0
|
7th
|
GP14
|
13421
|
WHSC
|
Helen Allen
|
Michal Szady
|
8.0
|
6.0
|
(10.0)
|
24.0
|
14.0
|
8th
|
GP14
|
13708
|
FPSC
|
Stuart Duckworth
|
Christine Duckworth
|
(11.0)
|
8.0
|
7.0
|
26.0
|
15.0
|
9th
|
GP14
|
13954
|
FPSC
|
David Youll
|
Sue Collett
|
7.0
|
(13.0 DNF)
|
8.0
|
28.0
|
15.0
|
10th
|
GP14
|
14014
|
WHSC
|
Andy Wadsworth
|
Andy Shrimpton
|
(9.0)
|
7.0
|
9.0
|
25.0
|
16.0
|
11th
|
GP14
|
12878
|
FPSC
|
John Traylor
|
Jon Denyer
|
10.0
|
9.0
|
(11.0)
|
30.0
|
19.0
|
12th
|
GP14
|
13836
|
FPSC
|
Neil Holden
|
Catherine Holden
|
(13.0 DNS)
|
10.0
|
12.0
|
35.0
|
22.0
|