Results / Gul Grand Prix Northampton SC - 04/08/2012

Northampton Sailing Club, at Pitsford reservoir, hosted a Gul Grand Prix RS400 event on the 4^th August 2012.

The wind started blowing from the South East at around 12-13 knots but the forecast was for storms and heavy showers.

The first race started on time and the OD had set a line with some port bias.  Shawn Woodcock took advantage of the bias and took the port flyer, clearing the whole fleet.  Unfortunately Woodcock then carried on to sail to the wrong windward mark. Caroline Whitehouse took the lead closely followed by Mark Reddington and Woodcock held third with the positions remaining to the finish.  Just as Whitehouse was finishing a massive squall came through with thunder and lightning which floored most of the remaining racing fleet and led to the OD sending the fleet in once they had finished.

A calm followed the storm and after a two hour break the wind returned coming slightly more from the west and OD resent the fleet out to some beautiful sailing in around 11 knots of breeze.  The OD was quick to get some short races underway and Harriet Stone led the second race but was struggling with having lost her slot gasket when the wind increased and was taken by Whitehouse and Reddington.

The third race was led by Reddington and Staite but they were taken by Whitehouse on the final lap with Woodcock and Cliff finishing third. 

The final race was battled out between Woodcock and John Woolhouse for third and it was eventually taken by Woodcock.

Thanks from the fleet to the OD’s and the rescue crews for a great day sailing and to the ladies in the galley for a mighty tasty ham sandwich at lunch.