Grand Prix on the Thames

The Ovington Boats London Boat Show Grand Prix took place last weekend

The last weekend of the London Boats Show has now become the traditional time for dinghy sailors to visit and take part. For the third year running Ovington Boats ran the skiff event on the Saturday. This year the 29ers were joined by the B14s and Musto Skiffs. Racing started at mid day with the Musto’s going off first followed by the 29ers then the B14s. The format was three races for each fleet – all to count. Conditions were almost perfect, 10 -15 knots from the west with only a bit of rain! A live commentary from Richard Parslow kept the spectators on the dock informed making excellent entertainment.

Current World Champion Richard Stenhouse showed he meant business in the Musto Skiff fleet by taking the first race from this years runner up at the Nationals Dan Henderson. After taking the safe option on many occasions Tim Chapman put in a good third. The second race was a lot closer, the fleet had got used to the ‘unique ‘ conditions and some good tight racing was seen. Stenhouse had a battle on his hands this time from Henderson and Bruce Spratt who lead at the first mark only to take a swim on the down wing leg. Spratt held onto third while Stenhouse eventually overhauled Henderson to win his second race. With no discards it was still all to play for. If Henderson won the last race Stenhouse must finish at least 4th. Henderson did win and for a while it looked like Stenhouse was going to throw it away and was well down the fleet. However, he was able to overtake Tom Wright and Graham Smith to take first place overall.

The 29er racing was all very close, it also gave the spectators a few treats from spills right in front of the crowds – special thanks to Tom Lambert and Nicola Smith who managed to capsize in the same place on consecutive laps right in front of the quayside. After the first two races Phil Walker and John Mather and Adam Larven and Graham Wheaten both had a first place which meant going into the last race it was a match race between the two of them. It was too close to call through the race as the places changed in the variable wind. At the last bottom mark it was Walker and Mather who got the inside berth on the rounding and went through the line to take both the race and the event. The battle for third was as intense but was eventually taken by the brothers Sam and Josh Seddon.

The B14 fleet of seven boats had four of the current top five and top youth team (Credo (Theo Gayler and Jack Spencer)) competing, it was to be an eventful shootout.
With all vying for pole position at all starts, it was Seavolution/Blue Marine (Mark Barnes and Pete Nicholson) that broke away hotly chased throughout by CSC (Chris Bines and Dave Gibbons) with MJF/North (Dave Hayes and Drew Malcolm) recovering to third by the finish.

Race two and more of the same for Seavolution/Blue Marine, but this time with Ince&Co (Mark Watts and George Morris) holding battle royal with CSC in second and 654 (Dan Cowin and Kathy Sherrat), it was not over till the final turn mark with CSC just taking it from Ince&Co.

Into the final and with two bullets Seavolution/Blue Marine had to finish within two boats of CSC. Off the start, it was Ince&Co followed by Credo, with the main players out to the left in light conditions. However, up the middle it was MJF/North chased by a charging Seavolution/Blue Marine. Credo and CSC had a coming together resulting in CSC doing a 360, and being in last position. Down the run Seavolution/Blue Marine broke through MJF/North with Ince&Co but CSC was on a charge. Bye the leeward mark, four boats were overlapped with nothing to separate them. Over the next lap CSC, made a great recovery to second having passed a capsized Ince&Co and Credo. CSC did enough to secure second and MJF/North took third from INce&Co by one point.

Unfortunately 711 (Chris Bishop and Laura Hitchcock) had to retire during race one due to a twisted ankle whilst in the running.

After hectic nine races the classes retired to the Guinness stand and the prize giving
Many thanks to British Sailing and National Boat Shows for making the event happen. A very big thanks to Harken for the amazing prizes.

Results:

Musto Skiff

1-Helly Hansen - Richard Stenhouse
2-Blue Marine - Dan Henderson
3-Gil - Tom Wright
4-Mum & Dad - Bruce Spratt
5-The Bank - Tim Chapman
6-Graham Smith
7-Gerald Luchterhand
8t-Felix Richtarski

29er:

1-Phil Walker and John Mather
2-Adam Larvin and Graham Wheaton
3-Sam Seddon and Josh Seddon
4-Arun Smith and Alec Rogers
5-Tom Lambert and Nicola Smith

B14

1-Seavolution/Blue Marine – Mark Barnes and Pete Nicholson
2-CSC - Chris Bines and Dave Gibbons
3-MJF/North Sails (UK) – Dave Hayes and Drew Malcolm
4-Ince&Co – Mark Watts and George Morris
5-Credo – Theo Gayler and Jack Spencer
6-654 – Dan Cowin and Kathy Sherrat
7-711 – Chris Bishop and Laura Hitchcock