GP Worlds: Day One

GP World Championships - Day One Report (04/08/2008)

Reigning champions Dobson and Tunnicliffe stamp their authority of the fleet with two bullets on day one of the GP14 World Championship 2008.

Reigning champions Ian Dobson and Andy Tunnicliffe kicked off their campaign to retain their GP14 World title in fine style today. The pair from Burwain SC, clocked up two race wins on the opening day of the Championship which is being held at South Caenarvonshire YC in Abersoch. Another pair of past world championship winners, Neil Marsden and Derek Hill, are tied for second place with long time GP sailor Neil Platt crewed by Jane Alexander, as both teams have recorded a second and a third today.

The 107 boats competing in the championship race as a single fleet but the results are also sub-divided into Gold, Silver and Bronze fleets based on the competitors' experience. Gerard O'Sulivan & Ben Saunders from Sutton DC sit in 21st place overall and lead the Silver Fleet while the Bronze Fleet is currently headed by Devin Goonwaredena & Jenny Bolling from the Ceylon Motor YC who are beating the form book and sit in 20th place in the overall standings.

Racing at the G.P.14 World Championships 2008 continues on Tuesday 5th August, with two more races scheduled. Wednesday has been designated a reserve day but two races per day will be sailed on Thursday and Friday.

The International G.P.14 Class Association are grateful for the generous support of their sponsors: Mailspeed Marine, Speed Sails, Harken, Goacher Sails and K. Drewe Insurance Brokers.

Provisional overall results after Day 1

Top Ten Overall

1st Ian Dobson & Andy Tunnicliffe - Burwain SC, 2 points
2nd Neil Platt & Jane Alexander - West Kirby SC, 5 points
3rd Neil Marsden & Derek Hill - Blackpool & Fleetwood SC, 5 points
4th Ian Platt & Matt Johnson - Bolton SC, 10 points
5th Justin Jones & Lucy Evans - South Staffs SC, 14 points
6th Mark Platt & Malcolm Marsden - Bolton SC, 14 points
7th Richard Instone & Steve Parker - Chase SC, 15 points
8th Curly Morris & Laura McFarland - East Antrim BC, 21 points
9th Dave Young & Chris White - South Staffs SC, 21 points
10th Richard Estaugh & Simon Potts - Chase SC, 22 points

Gold Fleet

1st Ian Dobson & Andy Tunnicliffe - Burwain SC, 2 points
2nd Neil Platt & Jane Alexander - West Kirby SC, 5 points
3rd Neil Marsden & Derek Hill - Blackpool & Fleetwood SC, 5 points

Silver Fleet

1st Gerard O'Sulivan & Ben Saunders - Sutton DC, 46 points
2nd Paul Leavers & Justin Smith - Midland SC, 48 points
3rd Matt Thursfield & Sally Fowler - Chelmarsh SC, 61 points

Bronze Fleet

1st Devin Goonwaredena & Jenny Bolling - Ceylon Motor YC, 44 points
2nd Ian & Neil Davies - Derwent Reservoir SC, 56 points
3rd Graham Hutchinson & Andy Bury - Bolton SC, 63 points

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