Results / GUL Grand Prix LOSSC - 09/07/2011

Sadly only 4 vareos turned up for the GUL Grand Prix event at Lee on Solent on July 9/10. Two competitors from Netley , plus Andrew Wilson from Datchet, & Richard Willows form Roadford. The event was run with a Phantom open & the Solution  Nationals. Sailors enjoyed some thrilling racing with winds up force 6-7 on Saturday , brilliant sunshine & the usual testing solent chop, especially in the shallower water by the leeward mark. Sundays racing built steadily from a force 2 to a good 4 in the last race as the sea breeze came in.

Saturdays racing was more a question of survival , with Willows opting for the storm rig which at least gave him the stability to fly his kite , but not quite enough upwind speed. Andrew Wilson sailed securely for two wins, helped in the first race by Willows & Brydges both touching the first mark in the tide, then finding it tricky to execute a 360 without ditching. Race two again saw Wilson & Brydges 1^st & 2^nd at the first mark, followed by Willows & Robertson, Robertson capsizing on the second run & retiring. With most of the Solution fleet ashore by now, & quite a few of the Phantoms, the OOD abandoned for the day, Willows & Brydges also feeling enough was enough.

The lighter winds on Sunday produced much closer racing, particularly in races 2&3 with Willows & Wilson finishing within a couple of boat lengths after jousting downwind, for the final race Brydges had to retire after his bridle broke, & as the wind increased Wilson eased away .Iain Robertson sailed round quietly in last place but enjoyed the racing.

Thanks to LOSS for excellent organisation , especially their shore parties for getting us ashore on Saturday afternoon,