Grand Prix One – Datchet Water Sailing Club

Grand Prix One – Datchet Water Sailing Club

We started this season’s series at the Datchet Water Sailing Club. With 21 boats participating in the event, it marked the first opportunity for some sailors to engage in fleet racing since the World Championships, while others got the chance to experience their first GP with the class.

The races saw sailors finding their flow as they got back into fleet racing.

Race 1 – Hannah Yates & Fallon Day (6611) from the Isle of Wight claimed first place on the first race of the day, with Scottish brothers Cameron and Finlay Ritchie (5441) in second and South West Son and Father team Ben & Sam Pascoe (8352) taking third place.

Race 2 – The Whitehead brothers Tom & Dan (8686), claimed their first bullet of the weekend. Followed by Ben & Sam Pascoe (8352) in second and in third was Hannah Yates and Fallon Day (6611).

Race 3 – Ben & Sam Pascoe (8352) won their first race in the event, with Cameron & Finlay (5441) in second and claiming third pace was Welsh sailors Megan Gowers & Harry Bennell (8501).

Race 4 – Ben & Sam Pascoe (8352) were on a roll, claiming their second bullet, Cameron & Finlay (5441) with a consistent second and Megan Gowers & Harry Bennell (8501) again in third place.

Race 5 – Tom & Dan Whitehead (8686) claimed another first, with Hannah Yates & Fallon Day (6611) in second and third was taken by Megan Gowers & Harry Bennell (8501) once again.

Race 6 – Ben & Sam Pascoe (8352) making that three bullets in day one. In second was Hannah Yates and Fallon Day (6611), and in third place was Tom & Dan Whitehead.

The races were expertly managed by the race management on the water, Race Officer Rob Clark from Parkstone Yacht Club, Mark layers, safety and Coaches to include Pete Summers, Duncan West, our class Chair Simon Greenhalgh and many more volunteers. This teamwork and efficiency on the water, allowed six races to be completed on Saturday. Also allowing racing to finish before the rain and stronger winds moved in.

Sunday morning greeted the sailors with sunshine and a crisp north-west wind, perfect conditions for sailing. An additional four races were completed, bringing the total to ten races for the weekend.

Race 7 – Ben & Sam Pascoe (8352) claimed first, continuing their roll. In second was Hannah Yates and Fallon Day (6611), with Welsh sisters Sirene & Cerise Le Petit (2369) taking third place.

Race 8 – Ben & Sam Pascoe (8352) yet another first place. In second place Megan Gowers & Harry Bennell (8501) and third was taken by Cameron and Finlay Ritchie (5441).

Race 9 – Tom & Dan Whitehead (8686) took another win. In second was Hannah Yates and Fallon Day (6611), and in third was Cameron and Finlay Ritchie (5441).

Race 10 – Ben & Sam Pascoe (8352) claimed the last win of the day, making the six bullets in total. Cameron and Finlay Ritchie (5441) held on for second place and in third place was Hannah Yates and Fallon Day (6611).

A mid afternoon prize-giving ceremony was held, where the following sailors were awarded for their outstanding performances:

Additionally, the 1st Open prize was awarded to Benjamin Pascoe & Sam Pascoe (8352) from Castle Cove Sailing Club.

Overall, the weekend was a resounding success, with sailors, organisers, and spectators alike enjoying the races and looking forward to the next event.

We are proud to once again thank Rooster for being our Series Sponsor, providing the series with super prizes and series recognition awards. We would like to thank Datchet Water Sailing Club for welcoming the Feva Class to the club and supporting us through the event.

Thanks also goes to our volunteers, it was amazing to see you all coming forward to support the class, helping to make these events a success.

Full results

Written by Chrissie Le Petit

Photos provided by our Volunteers.