The RS200 Gul Grand Prix at Yorkshire Dales SC always brings top quality sailing and of course..........strong winds.  This year was no exception.

Talking full advantage of the force 5 gusting 6 westerly wind, Race officer Mike Saul set a long windward/leeward course for the 15 visiting boats and 8 home boats.

After a general recall, Race 1 got away just as a gust touching F7 blew a few over on the line.  After a good start and windward leg, home favourites Chris Pickles and Laura Westell (Yorkshire Dales) rounded with several boat lengths lead. The downwind leg was a bit on the edge for many, and first in the drink were David Giles/Jane Hivey (Weir Wood) � they were not alone! At the end of lap 1, Pix / Laura were being chased by Richard Whiteley/Dan Philips (Ripon SC) and Jonny McGovern/Sarah Williams (Port Denoric) until Whiteley also capsized.

After another two laps Pix/Westell had a big lead as many found the conditions vituallly un-sailable and even they were both nearly washed out of the boat by a rogue wave. Dropping early and doing a tack turn to try and ensure a finish gave McGovern/Williams a chance - if they dared gybe. They did and screamed through to take the win, Pickles/Westell got the 2^nd and climbing through the carnage to finish 3^rd with quality sailing were Russell & June Collister (Isle of Man YC).

With a toll of one mast, a couple of spinnakers, several sailors and with the wind gusting over F6, a halt was called for the day.

A great evening meal at the club was followed for many by a trip to the local village pubs - and for some a prolonged lock in!

Sunday was still windy but generally around a F4 with rare lulls and occasional gusts around the F5 mark.

Dave Giles was heard to comment �it�s pretty here but you need to sort out the heating�. We think he meant the weather � not the super new clubhouse! Such niceties as a cool breeze made no difference to Pickles / Westell who made no mistake in race 2, taking the win from Wayne & Meg Fletcher (Scaling Dam) and Giles/Hivey. McGovern stayed in contention with a 4^th.

Giles/Hivey decided that was enough Northern Domination for now and won Race 3 after a tussle with McGovern/Williams, but Pickles / Westell couldn�t be shaken off and kept the pressure on with the third.

Pickles/Westell could win overall if they won the next race, with other contenders down the pan. It was all looking good for them as they rounded the last mark 2^nd and then rolled over Wayne & Meg into first. However Keith Escritt / Anne Saul (Yorkshire Dales) were closing quickly and just managed to claim the overlap at the gate to squeeze through for the win.

With time ticking by, Race 5 was going to be the last, and there were still several potential winners although Pix only needed a top 3 result. The wind had dropped a little and some decent shifts made for interesting beats. Pix and Escritt started at the favoured pin end but got dropped early by a lifting gust. Meanwhile, Neal Barret / Sophie Jones (Yorkshire Dales)  had recovered from the effects of the lock in to lead from Martin & Barbara Smith (Delph). McGovern/ Williams were well placed and with Pix well down, looked to have a chance of the win. By the last beat McGovern was closing on Barrett for the lead and Pix was still down in 7^th. However with most going right, a left lift let him catch up and the top 5 (Barrett, Smith, McGovern, Pickles, Escritt) all rounded close together. Barrett and McGovern (still needing the win)  went left as a gust carried Pickles and Escritt to windward of Smith on the right. This was so tight it was all going to depend on the next gust. That gust came � on the right and as Pix judged his line perfectly Laura did one of her special gybes to help roll over the Smiths. McGovern was coming in from the left with room, but just not as much wind or speed. So Pickles/ Westell shot through  to win the race from the Smiths with McGovern / Williams just edging out Barrett / Jones and Escritt / Saul in a blanket finish.

So the clear winners were Chris Pickles / Laura Westell from Johnny McGovern / Sarah Williams and the sole Southern entry Dave Giles / Jane (don�t call me a southerner) Hivey.

McGovern won the Silver fleet (silver � really!) from Neil Barrett / Sophie Jones, While the Bronze fleet was won By Jonathan and Natasha Lister (Yorkshire Dales SC from Phillip Benn and David Moore (Blithfield). After generous prizes were awarded, thanks for a great event were given to the club, the fantastic kitchen volunteers, hard working rescue crews and of course the series / event sponsors: GUL and Mike Saul Dinghy Supplies.