Results / GUL Grand Prix Aldenham YC - 14/07/2012

So the prize for winning Aldenham’s RS300 GUL Grand Prix was to try and match Bolly’s last report – tough act to follow – perhaps that put most people off travelling to the North London club with the largest regular 300 turnouts in the country – nothing about clashing with other events i assume – Note to Sam – Can we have an early season spot next year? I think there is a certain spot available!!!

Newcomer to the class, Allan Edwards was the sole, but very welcome visitor from Hawley Lake – making a dramatic entrance arriving “sans boat and trailer” due to a blow-out several miles from the club – Luckily a spare was found and Allan managed to take to the water for the second race.

The weather didn’t disappoint, rain that has been predominant this year made a brief appearance, unfortunately the strong winds of this season failed to follow the norm, with a variable (what do you expect at ASC) F1-3.

Race 1 – After strong showings from John Moore and the granddaddy of the class Bazza Steel on the first lap, Jamie Carnague and Pete Ellis pulled away to duel the entire race. The lead changing hands at least 6 times until Jamie eventually secured the win, Bazza defying the years to take 3^rd.

Penalty turns on the first lap of race 2 for both Ellis and Carnague enabled Bazza to sprint away and notch an almost faultless win, never being troubled.

The variable wind direction was causing the PRO some problems, requiring the third change of course for the last race before the legendary “all inclusive Aldenham cooked lunch”. This turned out to be a slightly shorter affair as the PRO was obviously feeling a tad peckish. Chief beneficiary was Ellis who secured his only win of the day, from Carnague and Bazza, John Moore showing great improvement to take his second 4^th.

Race 4 saw yet another master class of alternative downwind strategy from Bazza, sailing around the early leaders to secure another trouble free win, with Ellis 2^nd and Edwards 3^rd. A rather petulant Carnague taking 4^th – good job modern tiller extensions are made of carbon these days !!  Obviously the copious portions of chilli was to the liking of Edwards, or he was at last coming to terms with the variable winds to post some great results using an A rig proving yet again the flexibility of the 300.

So with one race left, Bazza, Carnague and Ellis were on equal points – all to play for.

Attempting a port tack start, Carnague touched Ellis who unusually showed restraint, politely requested Jamie to do turns and sensed his chance.......however Jamie after doing turns read the shifts (aka banged left and struck lucky) to lead at the first mark, never to be seen again and a worthy winner overall. Bazza pipping Ellis to take 2^nd on countback and Edwards 4^th.

Credit to the other competitors, Dan Skinner, Marcus Flint and Jim Strother who are all showing great advances in mastering the 300.

So Jamie had the honour of writing the report – but being a carpenter, he’s only able to converse in 4 be 2, 6 be 4 and cider - left so promptly that he forgot his winner’s bottles of wine  – my fee for penning the report mate!