GP14s at Hampton SC

Abbott and Ryan take the win

Despite the dire weather forecast of heavy rain and strong gale force winds, 14 boats arrived to compete in this year’s GP14 Open meeting at Hampton Sailing Club.
However in the event the Hampton boats joined by visitors from Papercourt, BTYC Sailsports and North Herts East Beds Sailing clubs were faced by a light southerly wind with intermittent showers.

The first race was to be a closely contested event between 13316 “Scooby Doo” from Papercourt Sailing Club helmed by James Ward and crewed by Richard Whitehill, and two Hampton boats 10737 “ Red Rampage” sailed by Kevin and Maddy Anderson and 13065 “In the Red” helmed by Keith McArthur and crewed by Maureen Dance.

James managing to stay in front for the majority of the race and with Kevin getting past Keith on the fourth lap to finish in second spot.

The second race saw a number of boats having to take penalty turns following a very close start, but rapidly turned into a race for line honours between Kevin Anderson and 13853 from BTYC Sailsports helmed by Mike Abbott and crewed by Marie Ryan. Kevin holding the lead for the first couple of laps before being passed by Mike who kept this lead to the end.

The third race was to be the decider with at least three boats in with a chance of lifting the trophy. Mike Abbott, following a very poor first lap which saw him lying in 6th place, soon got up to race speed and took a commanding lead by the end of the third lap. The rest of the fleet had some very close and at times aggressive sailing before the final places were settled.

Final positions were
1st 13853 helmed by Mike Abbott crewed by Marie Ryan from BTYC Sailsports
2nd 13316 helmed by James Ward crewed by Richard Whitehill from Papercourt Sailing Club
3rd 10737 helmed by Kevin Anderson crewed by Maddy Anderson from Hampton Sailing Club
4th 12315 helmed by Richard Page crewed by Steve Harridge from Hampton Sailing Club