2008 GP14 National Championships

A fleet of 14 GP14's participated in the 2008 Nationals event - the first dinghy event hosted by PNYC for some time. The first two races were sailed on Friday in a nice easterly wind, with several shifts to make things interesting. Long time National Champion Richard Parker started proceedings in the normal pattern by winning the first race. He had son Grant as crew this time, as his normal crew Dave Hawkins could not make the event. Also Richard had to sail another boat (Davy's Rocket), as Dave had their normal boat (Davy's Comet) in Port Alfred. Incidentally, there was also another Davys boat in the event - Davys Hawk, sailed by Carel Schaap. Malcolm Osborne, sailing Pat Mitchell's old boat, Unyazi, with David Doubell as crew, got through to finish in second place. The second race was sailed in similar conditions. In this race, Richard had a disaster to finish in a lowly 5th place. Malcolm continued good form to finish 1st, with Mark Biagio & Stephan Doubell in second place. With a 1 & 2, Malcolm was the series leader at the end of the 1st day, with a gaggle of another 4 boats tied on 6 points for 2nd place.

On Saturday morning, the fleet set off on race 3 in a northerly wind, but a dark sky to the west revealed a threatening storm. With the fleet approaching the jibe mark, the storm hit the fleet, blowing many who failed to strike spinnakers in time over. The `heavies', led by Richard continued the race until it was abandoned. Others sought shelter on the shore or made for home. Unfortunately, David Newton broke his mast in the process.In the afternoon, racing was attempted again, but the wind had died and refused to reappear! While waiting, the most of the GP's rafted together. Then a PNYC keelboat decided to enliven the proceedings by offering beer, wine, G&T's etc. to the dinghy sailors! These were served at one end of the raft and passed down the line to the recipients. Then, when race officer Ivan Gibbons finally decided that there wouldn't be more wind that day, Pumba II took the 10 GP14's in tow for a slow booze cruise back to the club.

On Sunday, with the event being in jeopardy ( one day left and only 2 races completed), there was a sense of urgency to get more races completed. Fortunately, a good easterly wind filled in early. There was great competition between Anthony, Mark and Richard at the front of the fleet. Anthony succeeded in winning race 3, but Mark got ahead to win race4. Showing improved consistency, Anthony also won race 5, ahead of Richard. The wind died in race 6. The same 3 had pulled away from the rest of the fleet. Anthony managed to hold on to win this race. With what wind there was occasionally filling in from the south, it was decided that sufficient races had been sailed to produce a fair event. Anthony's races for the day just managed to compensate for some poorer results from the first day and he ended up with a scant one point lead over Richard. Malcolm, the first day's leader had some not so good results and ended up one point in deficit to the 3rd place finalist, Mark Biagio.

PNYC proved to be a superb choice for the Nationals, with excellent catering, good facilities, and a very good bridge team consisting of Ivan Gibbons, Norman and Judith Edwards. Always on time, well laid courses and prompt results. The GP14 Association thanks all the boats who travelled from the Cape for the event, and are looking forward to a bumper event next year in the Cape, the 45th year of GP14 sailing in South Africa.

Final Results:

For the detailed results, click here.

2008 GP14 National Champions

1st Runners Up

Third Place

Pete's Pot