The second round of the 29er Gul Grand Prix at Hayling Island SC on 13-14 July had a very international feel to it. Three teams from Spain and one from Ireland joined the UK fleet for a weekend of sailing that could have almost been in the Mediterranean. Conditions were tricky on Saturday while the offshore breeze fought the new sea breeze. It made for interesting decision making both up and down wind. Sunday was a classic Hayling day, a postponed start waiting for the sea breeze ensured that when the racing started the fleet had an excellent days racing in 12 -15 knots of breeze.

It was the experienced team of Jonny Frazer and Jonny Clegg who showed the fleet that consistency pays. With nothing lower than a fourth position the pair won the event. But not without a tussle with many of the up and coming newcomers – both young and not so young. Second place went to the young team of Bernard and Andrew Gammon who have improved steadily through the season. The not so young team of Philip Goodwin and Tim Ashworth showed that sensible starting and conservative racing pays, and were only held off second place by two points. Probably the most improved team was Jessica Smith and Martin Boatman who had an impressive Saturday to give them forth overall.

Racing was very close in the fleet, out of six races there were six different winners, in fact each one of the top six boats won a race.

Hayling Island as usual ran an excellent race series getting all the races in while the wind gave just a little bit of a challenge. Excellent prizes by Gul went down well as usual.

Overall Results

1st GBR370, Jonathan Frazer and Jonathan Clegg

2nd GBR690, Bernard and Andrew Gammon

4th GBR174, Philip Goodwin and Tim Ashworth

5th GBR 694, Jessica Smith and Martin Boatman

6th GBR 619, Triston and Naomi Jaques