Results / Gul Grand Prix Stokes Bay SC - 22/09/2012

A variable forecast didn’t deter 21 Rs200s and from making the journey to Stokes Bay for the final RS 200 Gul Grand Prix event of 2012.  We got everything; soaking, planing, sun, wind and rain.

Saturday turned out to be a beautifully sunny light wind day on the Solent.  Race 1 had some major shifts creating a lot of overtaking opportunities.  Edd Whitehead and Alice Kingsnorth took advantage of a big shift on the last run to take the win from Chris Catt and Ally Martin with Mark Heather and Edward Cowell just behind.  The wind filled in slightly more for race two and three meaning the race officer sent us on a mammoth upwind leg.  Race 2 was won by Mark and Ed, closely followed by Ben Ainsworth and Rachel Williamson then Dave Steed and Katharine Martin.  Chris and Ally took race 3, with Christian Birrell and James Rusden in second and Edd and Alice in third.  The fleet headed in for an early start at the bar, and importantly getting to the showers before the 800s.

The forecast for Sunday was looking a little frightening. Confident that racing would be abandoned the next day, the fleets took full advantage of the Mount Gay party.  Not only was copious amounts of rum consumed but we were also able to settle any unresolved disputes from the race course in the gladiator jousting competition.

The wind arrived on Sunday morning as expected, unfortunately so did the rain causing a certain amount of reluctance among the crews.  The race officer managed to get in two races before the wind increased, the visibility reduced and the lightning arrived.  Race 4 was won by Ian Sharps and Ellie Martin, ahead of Dave and Katharine with Christian and James in third.  Race 5 won by Mark and Ed, just getting past Arthur and Rob Henderson who came second and Ian and Ellie third.  Race 6 was canned and the fleet headed in to pack up and then get warm with many cups of tea.

Overall results put Mark and Ed first, Dave and Katharine second and Edd and Alice in third.  Silver fleet was won by Arthur and Rob Henderson and bronze fleet was by James Williams and Sarah Tuppen.  Many thanks to everybody at Stokes Bay SC for a great weekend.