GP Worlds: Round Up

GP World Championships 2008

The one hundred and seven entries for the 2008 G.P.14 World Championship at South Caenarvonshire YC in Abersoch is testimony to the enduring nature of this class. The Championship took place during the first week of August and attracted competitors from England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Eire, as well as entries from the USA and South Africa as well as a thirty five strong squad from the Ceylon Motor Yacht Club.

Reigning champions Ian Dobson and Andy Tunnicliffe kicked off their campaign to retain their title in fine style by clocking up two race wins on the opening day. A consistent performance from Neil Platt & Jane Alexander earned them second place at this stage, tied on points with 2003 world champions Neil Marsden & Derek Hill.

Day two of the championships was lost when heavy rain and sea mist made racing impossible. When competition resumed the following day, five time World Champions Richard Estaugh and Simon Potts moved up the leader board by posting a first and a third. Dobson and Tunnicliffe faltered a little in race one when they placed twelfth but hit back with a convincing win in the second.

On day four Neil Marsden & Derek Hill kept their title challenge alive by winning the first race. Dobson & Tunnicliffe continued their consistent series so far with a second place. Unfortunately the second race of the day had to be abandoned midway through when a hundred degree wind shift turned the racecourse inside out.

Three races were sailed on the final day of the championships. Dobson & Tunnicliffe produced a composed performance worthy of reigning champions and their first and second places in the first two races sailed were enough for them to take the Championship with a race to spare. The pair had stamped their authority on the regatta from day one and chalked up a stunning 1 ,1 , 1, 2, 1, 2 , counting scoreline. Second overall in the championship was Neil Marsden & Derek Hill whose 2, 3, 2, 1, 1, 1, counting scoreline would surely have been good enough to win most other championships. Ian Platt & Matt Johnson sailed consistently throughout the week and their pair of second places on the final day helped them secure a well deserved third overall.

Overall Results
Gold Fleet
1st Ian Dobson & Andy Tunnicliffe – Burwain SC/Royal Windermere YC, 8 points
2nd Neil Marsden & Derek Hill – Blackpool & Fleetwood SC, 10 points
3rd Ian Platt & Matt Johnson – Bolton SC, 10 points

Silver Fleet
1st Mark Greenhalgh & Paul O’Neill – Castle Semple SC, 127 points
2nd Gerard O’Sullivan & Ben Saunders – Sutton DC, 133 points
3rd Ian Sinclair & Alan Jones – Bolton SC/Natwich CSC, 134 points

Bronze Fleet
1st Mike Butler & Steve Caladine – Hollingworth SC, 259 points
2nd Jeremy Shinton & Austin Jackson – Bartley SC, 283 points
3rd Nicola Sinclair & Stuart Sinclair – South Caenarvonshire YC, 331 points

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