Results / GUL Grand Prix Hayling Island SC - 30/06/2012

Continuing the breezy theme to the summer’s RS GUL Grand Prix circuit, Hayling Island, was not to disappoint.  30 competitors turned out to the top class venue  which later this year will host the nationals, but as many predicted, 25knot gusts and wind against tide brought a halt to early proceedings.  Talk of two meter waves over the infamous bar was tested by an intrepid group of local RS200 sailors who launched aiming to show us what we were missing –  Four fully masted boats launched, a short while later three came back. The race officer had made the right call.

Later in the day, with the wind easing the race officer selected a just-for-practice knock out format for those that had hung around in the sunshine.  Dave Hivey donned his objective hat and ranked the fleet, splitting us into two seeded flights.  Debbie handed out the tallies, explaining the first five in each qualifying race would get finishing guns and would qualify for the final and with that the phrase, “get a hoot or go home" was born.  The wind was still gusting into the low 20’s and so the harbour was used for the short course races.  With the windward mark in the lee of the clubhouse any mistakes were on show for all the non sailing competitors and baying crowd.  A few were noted and forever they shall remain stories for the bar, helms and crews never likely to live down the humiliation. James and guest crew Harvey, team RWO, took the win in the final. Bottles of wine awarded for their efforts. 

With more water in the harbour, the second day was to hold races no question and although the wind had only eased a knot or two there was no keeping the fleet on shore.  Nick and Christian launched early, before the release, allowing a short period of acclimatisation to the conditions that they used to maximum effect.  After a smart start they were not to be caught despite James and Toby and Laurie and Dan’s best efforts.  The wind and the traffic continued to build on the course leading to some big calls and some inevitably big capsizes. 

This was to prove too much for some and the fleet was whittled down to 17 by the second start. Laurie and Dan and James and Toby were again battling it out at the front, with Roge & Will keeping the pack at bay.  A fast moving game of snakes and ladders was being played for the remaining top ten positions with mistakes being costly.  If this is a sign of how closely fought Garda will be, it is shaping up to be a good one – if you are looking for a fleet with strength in depth, then the 800s have a lot to offer. 

The final race saw the fleet whittled down again, with many of the sensible teams calling it a day.  James and Toby finally got the bullet their upwind speed deserved and with it overall honours for the day.  Local pairing Nick and Caroline rocketed into second place with Ella and James rounding off the podium spots. Luke and Emma completed a consistent days sailing in fourth – three mixed crews in the top four on the final race of the day, speaks for itself. 

Laurie & Dan and Roge & Will completed the overall podium – only the winners finished all three races in the top five, consistency ultimately proving the key. 

Thanks must go to Hayling Island SC and the race officer.  Engaging the fleet for opinion on day one and quick turn-around of starting on day two lead to a great weekend of champagne or “Glamour” (Credit Tom Morris) sailing. 

Thoughts inevitably turn to Garda.  One weekend of fine tuning remains before the 12h /16h/20hr (depending on who you talk to) drive to Italy and with a turnout of 40 teams already entered, it is good to see the fleet continues to strengthen.