Results / GUL Grand Prix Oxford SC - 24/03/2012

This year we again shared Oxford Sailing Club hospitality with the RS300s and the Contenders.  Five boats entered on Saturday morning in unseasonably warm sunshine, perhaps the rest of the fleet were put off by the uninspiring forecast.

The breeze failed to fill in and the reservoir had some big patches of glassy water.  The RO for the weekend took the sensible decision in the early afternoon to postpone racing for the day.  Adam decided to cut his losses and packed away for the weekend meanwhile the remaining four of us decided to check out the local camping options.  We filled the afternoon with a walk along the river, a pint and booked into the campsite which was slightly plusher than we were used to.

After a good nights sleep we descended on Farmoor again, this time to be greeted by a light but welcome breeze, so racing was on…

Race 1 saw the fleet split up the beat with Pete going right into slightly more breeze taking a lead into the windward mark followed by Tom and Chris with Richard having a ‘mare bringing up the rear.

Race 2 was much the same with Pete again leading at the windwark mark, this time hotly pursued by Richard then Chris and Tom.

 It was becoming apparent that winning the first beat and picking the course through the numerous holes and shifts was key.  This sometimes meant taking a header in the hope that the breeze wouldn’t have moved elsewhere by the time we got to it.

By race 3 the holes were becoming smaller and fewer but there were still some big shifts around.  This time Richard went right and Pete went left with Richard coming out on top at the first mark.  Richard sailed well the rest of the race carefully covering the others to take the win followed by Pete and Tom with Chris having another Wilson moment.

Race 4 had more breeze with occasional trapezing on the reaches, woo hoo! Pete took this from Richard then Chris.

Overall there was some good close racing and individual battles going on, Oxford did a good job in difficult conditions.

So the season has started, hopefully we will get some more wind at future events.  It would also be good to see some new faces coming along.  If you are new to the class or haven’t come to an event yet please consider it, you will find loads of helpful advice.  It really is the best way to learn and improve.