Results / GUL Grand Prix & Paignton Regatta Paignton SC - 12/05/2012

We launched on Saturday afternoon in perfect sailing conditions, force 3 with warm sunshine.  Messing around before the start everyone was grinning madly.

We were to race in fleet 2 comprising RS600s, Contenders and Phantoms.  With 13 Contenders and 15 Phantoms lining up on the start line some tactical decisions needed to be made.  There was little point going for glory at the biased end of the line, both the other boats having greater manoeuvrability than us.  Indeed some found out to their cost the ability of the Phantom to comfortably sit on the line and wait for the seconds to tick away.  Instead it paid to start outside the main pack but in clear air with room to speed up across the line.

The wind dropped a little for race two and again for race 3 and avoiding the calm patches became more and more important throughout the day.

At the end of the day it was Pete Nelson in front with Richard Broughton and local Paul Proctor tussling for second place.

Sunday started calm but with a breeze forecast to build during the morning.  Pete led from Paul with another local, Chris Blackburn, taking a well deserved 3^rd.  The breeze continued to build and also to swing.  The RO therefore postponed the race while he re-laid the course and waited for the wind to settle.  This was to be the last race and the conditions were superb with us flat wiring to windward and enjoying some exciting reaches.

So it ended with Pete Nelson 1^st, Paul Proctor 2^nd and Richard Broughton 3^rd.

Thank you to all at Paignton Sailing Club for a great event.