Keen Cup 2014

Overall

Enterprise Open 2014

The penultimate SE Area Enterprise meeting on 12^th October found Frensham with its best wind direction from the north east - although it was an act of faith in the weather forecast that the winds would arrive after a still misty start.   The faithful amounted to 9 home boats and 5 visitors.

 There was only a slight delay in the start but the increasing wind force did mean that the GP14 fleet rapidly caught up the tail of the Enterprise fleet, causing some jostling.

In the low wind conditions the first race did seem to becoming a procession and it looked as though the old guard were going to be beaten by Neil Barrat and Sophie Jones.    However the fleet closed up on the last run and there was close racing up the final beat until a favourable shift near the end let David Beaney, with Sarah Hirst-Malin, and Ann Jackson, with Alan Skeens, through to take the first 2 places.

 After lunch the wind had increased and backed to almost northerly leading to a course revision by the race officer, Chris Ellis.  This saw the fleet split very much into a trailing pack and a lead pack.    David Beaney established an early lead which he never relinquished.  Sadly Neil and Sophie were deprived of the opportunity to redress the first result after a terminal impact with a GP14 which was on another leg of the course – although this was the only significant clash between the different fleets.  This allowed Philip and Lesley Johnston to take a 2^nd followed by Ann Jackson with Keith and Rebecca Videlo taking a 4^th again.

 The final race gave even better conditions with some significant but smooth shifts allowing tactical advantages to be gained.  The depleted fleet of 10 remained much tighter in this race with a lot of positions changing.  David lost badly at the first mark rounding and was close to the back of the fleet and Ann Jackson took an early lead.   As David rejoined the leading group, Keith Videlo found stronger wind on the far left of the run and moved into the lead, but on the next beat Ann Jackson found the windshift to restore her lead.    Philip Johnston was denied the opportunity of gaining a podium place by abandoning ship, something about toe-straps in the wrong place.  With Ann disappearing into the distance this left Keith Videlo keeping a wathcfull eye on David to hold 2^nd place to the finish.

 David Beaney and Sarah Hirst-Malin’s 1^st gave them the Frensham Packard Cup and yet another result to cement their lead in the Thames Valley Bowl.

After the race all were happy to warm up in the clubhouse for a convivial tea with the prize giving by the Commodore, Keith Videlo, as the rain fell outside.

RS Tera Update 2014

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 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th 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 2^nd and 1^st 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 1^st and took the race and regatta. Neil Hardie and Alex Philpot finished second in the race securing a 2^nd overall, leaving Richard Ham and Jack Hardie to discard that race and settle for 3^rd 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