GP14 December Newsletter
It has been an exciting year as fleet racing goes from strength to strength with an average of 8 GPs out, even in what can only be described as Arctic conditions! And even more impressive, a handful of this hardy fleet are even venturing out in wet suits!
The popularity of the GP is partly down to the vibrant social scene that accompanies the competitive racing. This year has seen Derwent GPs travelling almost the entire length of Britain, from Mounts Bay in Cornwall to the Isle of Arran.
Earlier on in the year Annandale proved to be a superb event with, never mind the racing… “Great Food!” This was Hannah Smithson’s first time travelling, she crewed for Ann Penny, and despite running aground…. twice, they won the all female crew’s race, with Maurice Cooper and Kevin Milburn using their combined weight to battle against the wind and win the Bronze Fleet. David Holmes with crew Clare Patton completed the Derwent Team. Everyone enjoyed the hospitality at Loch Maben and are looking forward to sailing in Scotland next year.
Considering Derwent Reservoir often has a red flag flying, once again the Open Meeting – The GP14 Northern Area Championship - basked in sunshine but with very light winds! Royd Brayshay however came into his own as a crew who could repair boats!!!!! Despite lack of winds this was a successful weekend and Derwent will host the GP14 Inland Championship in 2009.
The Birkett is a ‘must-do’, long distance, handicap race on Ulswater, where you find yourself packed like sardines on the 200 boat strong start line. The main difference being that your sardine is often sandwiched between a 30ft yacht and a catamaran! David Leybourne and Crawford, David Holmes and Cliff, Ann Penny and Andrea were part of the winning team (well chocolates were won), as the three ‘Geeps’ made up a Derwent team of 13 boats.
The Nationals, at Mount’s Bay, was an exhilarating week where heavy drinking and even heavier winds made for some interesting racing and a lot of laughs. Maurice Cooper and Claire Patton travelled along with Ann Penny and Andrea Thomson. Ann managed to gain the eternal title of ‘Legend’ amongst the GP fleet when she and Andrea were, literally, pushed out to sea on the Wednesday when over half the fleet stayed ashore, winds reached 35mph and the conditions were described as ‘sailing in a washing machine’! Yet a more famous quote has to be, “Well not by my watch!” This was from Maurice who hadn’t arrived at the sailing briefing at the clubhouse!
The Masters at South Staffs was another enjoyable weekend away with Pimms being consumed at 3am in the morning followed by attempted tent errections. You’ll be surprised to hear that the following day’s racing was the most successful yet!
Southport’s 24 hour race was even more fun and games; it became a great spectator event towards the last few hours as boats began to disintegrate whilst still sailing around the small island. Cliff Lamb was generous enough to offer his boat this year and unusually it was still in one piece at the end! Only one running repair had to made with Justin Smith attempting to spinnaker with a broken halyard! Adam Vaughan (who is under 40), switched competently into crew mode; Ian Nicholl kept his usual eye on the times; Jannette took charge of sleeping arrangements and the great team effort proved to be as always a great weekend.
The Inlands at Burton, only saw one boat from the Derwent fleet this year. Despite having slept on a borrowed air bed and a sofa in the club house (the casual level of organisation being demonstrated here) Ann Penny and Andrea Thomson won the Bronze Fleet Grand Prix.
Arran team racing was a wonderful demonstration of the hospitality and friendliness of the GP fleet… Ian Penny with Dave Holmes and Ann Penny with Andrea Thomson travelled across to Arran expecting to be camping in one of the host’s back gardens. But, there are no half standards in this fleet; instead the Derwent Team ended up with five star accommodation in a local sailor’s home. The warm welcome and full breakfast would have put any hotel to shame. The sailing was superb and what a surprise to find Adrian Butler’s old boat!
Finally, Andrea Thomson travelled down to Plas Menai for the Howard Davies’s Youth training week, where, she learnt, amongst many technical skills, how to cripple a brand new GP in less than 5 minutes! However, she and Charlie McNamara managed to get the boat more replaced than repaired, in time for the Youth Championships in Birmingham the next day. Here they put their new skills, excluding the above mentioned one, into action for an enjoyable and successful race.
Amidst all this travelling normal Wednesday and Sunday racing has continued to thrive, with new and ‘old’ faces notching up some winning places. Indeed it is rare not to see a GP14 on the water, whether racing or enjoying a gentle sail.
