Blog » Stokes Bay GP (sponsored by Ronstan)- results...

Forecast was that it would be a little windier than Saturday but much the same direction. First race would allow the discards to kick in. Pre-launch good news for the Oliver boys was that the Jury had given them redress for yesterdays last race when they got t-boned and holed. Morgans and Herbies case went nowhere.

So all on and the wind was indeed building. Having said that it then also softened in the middle of the first 3 lap race. Owen Bowerman and Charlie Darling looked to have found their sailing boots again and quickly established a nice lead. The Royal Torbay crowd had other ideas and after some intensive training recently at home they displayed their newfound expertise to very sharp effect. Jovian Short and James Barlow gradually reeeled them in and then shot off. Morgan Peach and Herbie Harford weren't leting someone else from home have it all their own way -after all they have been Torquays toast for some time now - and hared past as well for a stunning 2nd. Robert and Alice Masterman showed some great form too to come home 4th just behind Debbie & Tommy Darling (Debbie stepping in at the last minute).

At this point whilst nobody knew it at the time Jovian & James didn't actually need to complete the next race as they had won already. This wasn't known as nobody knew that there would ultimately only be 5 races overall. So what Jovian & James did was to show great speed up the second beat to establish a clear lead and then with formidable style kept in the gusts(which had built considerably now) and scooted home in plumes of spray. Meanwhile, and I'm not sure quite how they did it, Morgan & Herbie recovered from an abysmal first beat to overtake boats not in ones and twos but whole fistfulls to round the last windward mark in 3rd and then just fizzed along to nab another 2nd.

Package of the day - well the weekend to be honest, were Ben & Tom Oliver who worst counting result was a 5th! But overall then:...

Utterly dominant counting nowt but 1sts - Jovian Short & James Barlow (RTYC), Equally dominant in 2nd (counting one first) Morgan Peach and Herbie Harford RTYC again!). With all threes and one fourth, third overall Owen Bowerman & Charlie Darling (HISC). Prizes went down to 6th so 4th Ben & Tom Oliver(Calshot SC), 5th Robert & Alice Masterman (HISC) and 6th Anna Prescott & Jess Eales (Lymington Town SC).

Ronstan were very generous with their prizes and the Spot Prizes went to: Ruby Griffin & Harriet Winbush, Jordan & Benjamin Cook, and as top Stokes Bay boat in their first regatta together and 10th overall - Joshua Belben & Freddy Clampett. Stokes Bay were as ever first class in their hospitality and organisation.

Overall results here.

Next event - Zone champs and then the 2nd NJS/CNS qualifier.