Day 1 at the Masters Championship

International GP14 Masters Championship 2021

Sponsored by Robline UK and Craftinsure

And hosted by

Nantwich and Border County Sailing Club

A small number of boats arrived at Nantwich to find wet weather and not much wind, but enthusiasm prevailed and all were changed in time for  a briefing  from Paul Scott, the Race Officer

Race 1
   The race started at 12 promptly, Andy Smith crewed by Phil Hodgkins soon took the lead, and then ensued a change of boat order every leg with the next 2 boats, Chris Beddow crewed by Brian Waymont regularly changing position with local sailor Dave Edwards crewed by his Grandson.  In the final 2 legs  Richard Binns and his crew Adam Campbell, who had never sailed a race before, shot up the order and finished 3^rd.   David Morris of Budworth S.C crewed by Malcolm Bird were in the mix for a while but then dropped back.   David had never sailed an away meeting before and with a new Crew.

Race 2
  After a break for lunch the intrepid sailors launched their boats for the start of Race 2.   Andy Smith in 14261 and Chris Beddow in 14051 were quick off the start line and soon put in some distance between them and the rest of the Fleet.   Richard Binns and crew Adam pulled through the rest of the boats and were in 3^rdposition halfway through the race.   A troubled spinnaker hoist lost them 3rd place, but not to be deterred they soon speeded up.   Pete Thoms pulled through the fleet to 3rd place, his best result so far.  Andy took line honours, followed by Chris Beddow.

Race 3
  The wind has now dropped to 4mph and in 1^st place round the windward mark is local sailor Peter Thoms.  All have decided that spinnakers are not an option.    Andy and Phil were 4^th half way through the race but in the final 2 legs with the wind slightly stronger they made massive gains and just pipped Peter Thoms to the finish line.   Chris and Brian finished 3^rd, Dave Morris 4^th, Richard Binns 5^th and Dave Edwards 6^th.    

A good day!

Thanks must go to Paul Scott and all his on the water crew and to Jean and her helper in the Galley.

DAY 2

Race 4

A dryer day and more wind from the west.   The 11 o’clock start saw an immediate separation of the boats, with Andy and Phil taking the lead, Pete Thoms , with his local knowledge of the shifty winds took 2^nd closely followed by Chris Beddow.    But a close encounter resulted in turns for Chris and Pete shot off.    After that 14010, David Morris and 14051, Chris Beddow fought out 3^rd and 4^th place for most of the race with Chris having to do more turns at the penultimate mark.   But in the final leg Chris got away for a 3^rd place and Richard and Adam in 13555 who had by now caught up with David finished 2 boat lengths apart in 4^th and 5^th.   After this race a discard kicks in and things are looking very close between the Grand Masters and the Great Grand Masters and the Ton up.

Race 5

The wind strength is holding and spinnakers are flying well. Handsome Dave ( his words) held onto 2nd place with a clear leg ahead until they brushed the mark and then they had to put a penalty in relegating them to 4^th but with huge effort and directions from the crew, Malcolm, they pulled it back to 3^rd.  Andy Phil 1^st ,Pete and Dawn 2^nd

Race 6

The 1^st general recall of the weekend with 5 boats well over the line at the Port end!  With a 2^nd attempt all were clear and set off for the deciding race for the Ton up prize and the Great Grand Master.  The first half of the race saw the first 3 places changes almost with every tack.  But the pecking order became clear eventually with Andy and Phil gaining the lead, Pete and Dawn in 2^nd and Chris with Brian 3^rd.   David and Malcolm finished 4^th, Richard and Adam 5^th and Dave crewed by Andy 6^th.

Final Overall results   Andy and Phil, Bassenthwaite SC, winning the Masters Trophy; Pete and Dawn, Nantwich, in 2^nd overall and winning the Grand Masters and Ton Up;   Chris and Brian, SSSC, 3^RD overall and winning the Great Grand Masters Trophy.  4^th position overall Dave Morris and Malcolm Bird; Budworth SC, 5^th Richards Binns crewed by Adam Campbell; and in 6^th Dave Edwards with Andy Hunter both from Nantwich.

A big thank you must go to Nantwich Sailing Club for their hospitality, to Paul Scott and his on water team and Jean and all her helpers in the Galley

Thank you Robline UK , our Championship Sponsors, for your generosity.