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Designer: Robert Humphreys
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GP14 Youth Nationals at Bolton Sailing Club
Author: Andrew Craig
Bolton SC hosted the GP14 Youth National Championships on 27/28 October open to sailors under 21 years of age. Always a popular event, 24 boats took part including John Chambers from Ireland.
Two races were held on Saturday in a force 2/3 with occasional gusts which caused capsizes even before racing began. In the first race, Mike Senior from Bolton crewed by Jonathan Harrison established a clear lead from the start and led all the way around the course to win in style. A gybe mark close to the Clubhouse provided the entertainment for the spectators, thanks to the OOD Neil Platt.
The second race was not as clear cut and Mike Senior battled with Gary Howland & Chris Tattersall from Budworth up to the last mark where pressure from behind forced Gary to cover his back leaving Mike Senior clear to win by a small margin.
After partying the night away to a live band and disco, Sunday dawned to light winds and shifty conditions. After a general recall, the first race finally got underway with Ellen Milner and Thomas Simes from Budworth leading the way to the first mark. Mike Senior had a bad start and
was back in 6th position but by the 5th mark of the course, using his local knowledge and skill, managed to take the lead and win again. Ellen Milner did hold on to finish second with the all girl team Laura Jakeman & Rhiann Parry from South Staffs in third.
The second race on Sunday saw the wind shift again and after a recall the OOD delayed the start until the wind had filled in. Once again Mike Senior gained an early lead and won the race
with Gary Howland finishing second for the third time.
With four first positions, Mike Senior did not need to do the last race but started anyway although retired early as he was not in the lead for a change. Gary Howland from Budworth won the last race with Jane Alexander & Liz Pugh from South Staffs in second and young Ian Dobson & Andrew Tunnicliffe from Burwain in third.
Although the first two positions overall were clear cut, the remainder of the fleet had battled hard all weekend with excellent close racing and several protests before the final results were decided. Thanks to our sponsors Pearl Assurance, Volvo, Mailspeed, Speedsails and Purple Sails.
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