SUPER GRAND PRIX SOUTH - Queen Mary SC
Sam Pearce
REPORT by Guy Noble
When the rough-and-tumble of club racing meets the smooth skills of the super Grand Prix circuit sailors there can be a certain grinding of the gears! And so it was at the UKLA Super Grand Prix event held at Queen Mary Sailing Club on the 22nd and 23rd of May.
What caught everybody by surprise was the sheer volume of entries. A normal regional event would attract no more than 50 boats so a limit of 75 was put on the event. Very soon it became apparent that demand for places had been dramatically underestimated . After some last minute arm-twisting of volunteers (god bless them all) QM delivered, expanding
the entry to over 90. Anyone who has done the Bloody Mary knows that Queen Mary SC is quite capable of putting on events for literally hundreds of boats but that takes a huge amount of forward planning and an incredible number of volunteers. This was supposed to be a far smaller event.
For those who are not familiar with the subtleties of the ILCA/ Laser calendar the Super Grand Prixs are designed to be a notch up from what are used to be called the traveller circuit, now slightly confusingly called the Grand Prixs.
Super Grand Prix are the brainchild of Tony Woods. He identified a need for good training for sailors to learn how to race with a bigger and a more competitive fleet. The events were divided into two. A day of UKLA training and the following day a series of races to put into practice what was learnt.
As the weekend approached it became clear that light winds for the Saturday would provide perfect conditions for those a little nervous about racing in a bigger fleet (a review of the training will follow in a few days). However Sunday’s forecast looked much more feisty. Although many were looking forward to the breezy conditions other very capable sailors opted to race with ILCA6 rigs.
Forecasts in recent times have been particularly inaccurate. Rumour has it that this is partly due to the fact that aircraft, normally providing enormous amounts of meteorological data, have been sitting on runways rather than whizzing around in the air.
What we actually got at Queen Mary was two days of exceptionally changeable weather.
In fact it would be fair to say we're almost had everything bar fog and snow.
Although 4 races were schedule for each fleet only 3 were possible. With everyone set for some serious hiking in a predicted 15 to 20 kn of wind the first race got underway in no more than seven or eight. Condition improve as the day unfolded but rain, massive wind shifts and very chilly conditions tested everyone.
The ILCA7 fleet was dominated by local hotshot Orlando Gledhill taking the first two race bullets and, with a fourth race looking increasingly unlikely, took the series win. Ben Flower retired from the first race after a close encounter with a rather over enthusiastic Queen Mary sailor. Pushing hard in the final two races Ben was only one point behind Orlando.
Roger O’Gorman tied with Charlie South for third and fourth with Roger just sneaking ahead of Charlie on count back. A welcome return to racing for Tim Law saw him take fifth.
Sebastian Kemp, also of QMSC managed to secure first position in the ILCA6 fleet just in front of Alistair Brown - both tied on three points Sebastian, again won out on count back.
Luke Anstey was a clear 3rd and Master Ian Gregory fourth (another master making a welcome return after recovering from a long illness).
The slightly smaller ILCA4 fleet was won by Antonio Pascali, with Noah Evas second.
Imogen Palmer, Anne Friedboug and Edward Day all finished on 8 points but on count back finished 3r 4 and 5th respectively.
Man of the Day has to be Joe Woodley. He brought an old Laser 169XXX and got it racing for under £500. For some odd reason he had several twigs in the holes drilled into the bows (apparently where the semi-permanent fender had been placed by the previous
owner).
Joe managed to get into the top 10 ! This just shows that you don’t need mega bucks to race.
Ovington, Sailingfast and Southeast Sailboats provided a fantastic array of prizes for theinners. A big THANK YOU to all the team, Tony Woods for organising, Paul and his team for the Race management and all at QM that helped make this such a memorable and enjoyable weekend.
Sponsors:
Sailingfast – Duncan brings his battle bus down from Scotland for most of the big events, which is so ridiculously well equipped, you could replace everything on your boat. Although based in Scotland they will get anything to you super fast. Check out his website : https://sailingfast.co.uk
SouthEast Sailboats – Max brings bespoke quality at affordable prices to the class. His passion for detail has made his products a must have for anyone who wants quality. He also supplied many great prizes for the
event.
website : https://southeastsailboats.co.uk
Ovington Boats - Chris Turner lives dinghies and has been a significance presence in the boat building world for decades. OB are now the official UK builders of ILCAs. Thanks for the great caps !
website : https://www.ovingtonboats.com
Noble Marine - Ian MacManus (the man behind the name) has crafted a very competitive and excellent insurance product for all Laser/ILCA sailors. A very personal service and a extremely useful website help make this the ‘go to’ company.
Top 5 place in each Fleet
ILCA7’s
1st. Orlando Gledhill - QMSC
2nd Ben Flower -
3rd. Roger O’Gorman - QMSC
4th Charlie South -
5th Tim Law - Salcombe SC
ILCA6’s
1st. Sebastian Kempe - QMSC
2nd Alastair Brown
3rd. Luke Anstey
4th Ian Gregory -
5th Tim Evans
ILCA4’s
1st. Antonio Pascali
2nd Noah Evans
3rd. Imogen Palmer
4th Anne Fredborg
5th Edward Day
Full results:
https://www.queenmary.org.uk/racing/results-2/spring-series-2021-resultsnew-template-
page/ukla-super-grandprix/
From Roger O’Gorman:
Sunday the UK’s top ILCA sailors descended on Queen Mary for the UKLA Super Grand Prix. The forecast and conditions bode for what seemed was a mid-winter series, with thunderous dark clouds bringing 20-30 knots gusts. The runners and riders came from far and wide, with circa 85 competitors overall split across three fleets. The ILCA 7 Standard fleet was somewhat diminished with several, normally seasoned Standard riggers opting for the ILCA 6, in light of the chunky forecast. A regrettable decision for notorious Rupert Bedell, AKA Andre Agassi, who later struggled his 85 kilo torso in what was a light wind race 1. The fleet included an experienced set of competitors, notably Mike Matan, ex UK Laser National Champions Gareth Kelly and Tim Law, several sailors who have ranked on podium at Master Worlds such as Orlando Gledhill and Mike Hicks, along with ex GB squad Ben Flower.
Race 1, Baltic conditions settled, ominous dark clouds loomed from the west. Race Officer Paul Stainsby steadied the ship and kept the fleet at bay, whilst he searched for a window of opportunity to get the race off with some consistent breeze. The fleet was well behaved, no recalls, with the breeze in the left phase, Roger O’Gorman tacked the fleet from port, toward the pin, crossing and leading the way ot the course middle. Ben Flower pushed to the left of the course with good speed, with Orlando Gledhill left of middle. Roger O’Gorman had a significant lead by the first top mark, however with a new system of pressure yet to arrive, the first run was very light. The fleet came from behind on the left. Gledhill took advantage spotting the new pressure early and took the lead. Charlie South and Gareth Kelly were now in fast pursuit. Local legend, Tony Woods found pace on the next beat as the fleet began to separate. O’Gorman took the lead again for the next round before Gledhill finally got past, with Charlie South now in close pursuit.
Race 2, the forecasted big breeze had now began to kick in. It was the same contenders again leading from the front. Gledhill was masterful this time round, making no mistakes, with Ben Flower stretching his powerful physique to command the physical conditions. Roger O’Gorman was again in pursuit but hot on his heals was Thomas Brindley who kept the pressure on and Charlie South who began to show immense pace in the breeze, now gusting 25 knots plus.
Race 3, the breeze kicked hard left with a dark rain cloud approaching. Carnage ensued at the pin with some casualties. Charlie South took a swim, Gledhill played safe, holding back and getting a clear lane to lead off to port. Ben Flower controversially kicked his heals off the pin and accelerated to an early lead, now immersed in the 25-30 knot gusts, Flower accelerated hard to lead from O’Gorman and Tim Law now relishing the breezier conditions. Flower was not to be stopped dominating from the front. Tim Law and Gareth Kelly dusted off their muscle memory and began to find their Laser flair. Charlie South used his hiking prowess to work his way through the fleet and took a late left handed shift to work back to 5th. Tim Law and Gareth Kelly jousted hard like stags locking horns on the final beat, the old warriors finding their pace a little late in the day for a podium, but Law had the upper hand finishing 3rd and Kelly in 4th.
The final result then, Orlando Gledhill was masterful, consistent across the board in all conditions, two bullets won the day from Ben Flower and Roger O’Gorman in 3rd. Charlie South in 4th and Tim Law 5th.
Sam Pearce
REPORT - ILCA 6’s by Niall Peelo:
Saturday started off slightly cold with a forecast for somewhere between 10 and 15 kts at times throughout the day. Perfect for the training day - day 1 of the super GP. There were about 50 sailors signed up to the training which was broken down into 4 groups and all were coached by people connected with the British sailing team as either sailors or coaches. One of the coaches also stays for Sunday and does a debrief of the day with some video footage of starts and mark roundings.
The wind started at about 8 knots but soon dropped off to almost zero at times. Lots of the initial on the water training was focusing on rig set up. For me in the 6 rig, my cunningham setting was not ideal, but a quick few tips from the coach helped realise what I should be looking for. Others were being helped with vang settings especially in light winds, and many were being helped set the boom angle on a run, as its easy to have it too loose.
These are the kind of small tips that make training days like this invaluable and on top of that we had several starts and races which further helped improve all areas of racing.
Saturday evening had a BBQ planned originally but the terrible weather forecast put an end to that, so an indoor event was planned with restrictions to numbers due Covid. Unfortunately with restrictions etc, the meal had to be cancelled, but snacks and take aways were available and Tony and Netty, joined by Rupert put on a small gig. It was great to see some form of normality returning to every day life. Hopefully this trend will continue in the coming weeks.
Day 2 of the super GP is the proper GP racing day, and 4 races were planned. The forecast had been suggesting that it could be quite sporty with winds forecast to be up to 25 knots. Perfect to blow away any cobwebs.
QM boasts a great ILCA fleet probably boasting some of the largest race turnouts in the country, and even though we sail 4’s 6’s and 7’s in one fleet for club racing, at the regatta its split into different fleets. As a committed 6 sailor, I was more than pleased to see that the 6’s had the largest entry (which it seems to have in most events I compete in these days). Its also great that we have separate starts, as it avoids us being rolled by the generally faster 7 sailors, and I always think where possible clubs should try to encourage separate 6 and 4 starts so as not to put the smaller sailors off.
As we launched, a squall passed through and brought winds of over 20 knots, which was promising for the racing, but the hailstones not so. Thankfully that passed but so did the wind.
On the first start I was keen fresh from the training the previous day. I felt close to the line - too close, and even the coach doing the videos thought I may be over but the race officer said all clear. Phew!
I found a lane taking me left and had good speed. Must have been the top tips from the training! I had managed to hold the lane for much of the first beat and found myself on the left. When the headder came I tacked and it was looking good, that is until the wind died and filled in from the right. Usually the person who writes the club report is first at the windward mark. I ended up almost last, so thought I was safe, but thats another story! I have no idea who was at the front, but felt in good company with some fellow club mates around me who had obviously had the same thoughts about the wind as I did.
The race ended up being a long one - over 1 hour and 10 minutes for me, lots of shifts, patches and holes. I didn’t see how it played at the front, but Terry Hacker won followed by Luke Antsey and Ian Gregory.
Due to the large shift to the right, the race committee moved the course between races to square up the beat again. What a day to be race officer. By the time the ILCA 6’s started the wind had gone so far left in a squall it was difficult to lay the line on Starboard.
I was aiming to start near the pin and take advantage of the left shift early in clear air, until I had someone capsize on top of me (there were a few capsizes at the pin!). I had to reverse out of the situation which doesn’t feel fast at the start! I did finally start exactly at the pin, but about 40 seconds after everyone else. Yet again I have no idea who got to the windward mark first - during the race the wind shifted quite considerably as showers passed through, in fact this was the story of the day with shifts of up to 60 degrees, and those who read it well were rewarded handsomely.
Alastair Brown picked up the bullet in race 2 followed by Sebastian with Mike Wood in 3rd.
For the start of race 3 conditions were almost similar to race 2 with a heavy bias to the pin. This time I didn’t mess it up, started safely and got away on Port in clear air thanks to no capsizes! The wind was now over 20 knots, and still shifting making for a quality QM style race. This time Sebastian took the bullet followed by Alistair and Luke.
There was no race 4 due to the strong winds and the fact it was late in the day, which was a relief to all.
The results were slow being compiled due to some protest activity in the ‘7 fleet. It had me thinking back a year when we could not race due to the lockdown so we did the virtual protests - some of the ‘7 guys obviously miss those days and kept the tradition going!
Overall in the 6 fleet Sebastian Kemp came out as the winner, with Alastair Brown in second and Luke Anstey in third. The masters category was won by Ian Gregory followed by Rupert Bedell and Peter Sherwin.
Finally the prize giving could take place. As the prize giving had to be outside in the cold, many skipped it, which may have been a poor call. It started with a draw of sail numbers out of a hat, but you had to be there to get a prize which were sponsored by Southeast Sailboats, Ovington and Sailingfast. Almost everyone who attended the prize giving ended up with a prize!
Thanks again for QMSC for organising such a big event. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to our future open events.
REPORT - ILCA 4’s Gary Finkelstein:
Super tricky conditions at Queen Mary SC for the SGP with a lot of learning for the enthusiastic ILCA4 fleet. Light conditions on Saturday for the training with young sailors working on improving sensitivity in light conditions and on wind shift and intensity prediction to be in front of the fleet. On Sunday three races with wind growing up from 8 to 25 knots. The first race, in light wind, won by Noah Evans, able to keep the lead at the start and closing all options to the rest of the fleet. The second and third race, with wind blowing up to 25 knots, both won by Antonio Pascali allowing him to win the event. Strong performance for Imogen Palmer and Anne Fredborg, third and fourth overall, but 1st and 2nd in the girl fleet.
