2007 GP14 National Championships

On rotation, after the previous Nationals held on Vaal Dam in 2006, Mossel Bay was chosen as the venue for the 2007 GP14 National Championships. The Fireball class joined the event for their National Championships as well. In order not to clash with events such as the W. Cape Championships held over Easter, the long weekend at the end of April was selected. Mossel Bay has a big advantage as a sailing venue - despite extreme weather conditions, heavy swells and gale force winds along the coast, a successful series of races was able to be held on each of the appointed days. No less than three cold front swept through the area!
On the first day, after a delay in getting the course set, one race was held in a good westerly. However it faded and no further races could be held that day. On Sunday morning, a strong wind greeted the participants. All the GP14s launched, but soon returned, declaring the 30 knot wind to be in excess of the abilities of their craft. Only some of the Fireballs raced, with 4 boats finishing. In the afternoon, the wind eased off and three more races could be completed.
On Monday, conditions returned to normal - no wind early on. A fair breeze then picked up from the west and the GP14's completed two races in the morning (three for the FB's. The wind swung to the south towards the end of the morning. For the first time, lunch was had on the water while the course was swung accordingly. A final race was held in the afternoon in a good south westerly.

There was a determined effort to unseat the long time champions - Richard Parker & Dave Hawkins. Pat Mitchell came down from the north with a brand new series III boat. However the champions sailed as good as ever, winning most of the races to come out comfortably ahead. Pat had teething problems with his boat, which had not sailed before the event. Despite good boat speed, two DNC's pushed him back but he still finished fourth overall. Grant Parker brought a good boat and a good crew from Joburg, but a bad tummy bug severely hampered Barry Hundley. It was left to Anthony & Di Parker to sail consistently near the front of the fleet, winning the last race, to finish overall second. Mark Biagio & Stephen Doubell also won a race and were always in the reckoning - finishing overall third.
Grateful thanks to the event sponsors - Sedgefield Spar, Seven Seas Marine, Bolt Man and Prima Gas.
At the AGM. Anthony Parker stood down as chairman, citing pressure of work. The post was delegated to Evelyn Osborne.


Trophy Awards:

For the detailed results, click here.