Report - Hilary Davies                       Overall Results          Silver Fleet           Bronze Fleet 

Beautiful sunshine greeted visitors from far and wide to join an enthusiastic GP14 home fleet. Race Officer, Keith Robson set a simple triangular course in race 1 to best allow for the changeable breeze. Wind-shifts favoured those on the port side of the first beat giving Paul Owen and Sue Konczyk from South Staffs SC a clear lead at the windward mark. Luke Shaw and Steve Parker from Budworth SC were chasing them until the closing seconds of the final beat when Richard Instone and James Goodfellow of Chase SC snatched victory leaving Owen in second place and Shaw in third. Fickle winds at the windward mark in race 2 caused several place changes allowing a delighted John Riley and Nigel Lewis of Bassenthwaite SC to pull away and win the race with Shaw & Parker in second place. Local sailors John Toomer and Justin Smith used the wind well to secure a fourth place.

More sunshine welcomed the competitors on Sunday morning. Race 3 started in light and variable winds giving John Telford and Andy Smith of Bassenthwaite SC the lead at the windward mark, only to be overtaken downwind by Riley and Lewis who maintained their lead and notched up a second win, leaving Telford and Smith in second place. At last the wind filled in to a moderate force 3/4 allowing the Race Officer to set a challenging course including tight reaches and a run. Instone and Goodfellow showed their form, leading from start to finish and establishing themselves as the favourites with one race to go. Race 5 commenced in a brisk breeze force 4/5. Several competitors capsized as sudden gusts caught them unaware on the thrilling downwind legs. Robin Dawson and Mark Somerville of Bassenthwaite SC sailed magnificently to win this last race. Telford and Smith came second securing them as Runners-up overall, but Instone and Goodfellow came third retaining the title as Champions of the North East Area.

Abbreviated results as follows:

1^st        Gold        R Instone & J Goodfellow         Chase SC
2^nd        Gold        J Telford & A Smith                 Bassenthwaite SC
3^rd        Gold        L Shaw & S Parker                   Budworth SC
4^th        Gold        R Dawson & M Somerville        Bassenthwaite SC

1^st Silver              J Riley & N Lewis                     Bassenthwaite SC
1^st Bronze            S Raistrick & J Orton                Derwent Res. SC