Please select your home edition
Edition

Watson & Cotter's GP14 wins the Robline UK Polar Chase

by Andy Rice 21 Dec 2024 17:33 UTC 14 December 2024

Sam Watson and Charlie Cotter sailed their GP14 to victory at the Robline UK Polar Chase, the first time this event has featured in the Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series.

Against a star-studded fleet that included many current and recent national and world champions, Watson and Cotter were the most consistent. Along with winning the average-lap handicap race, a sixth place in the pursuit race was sufficient to give the GP14 from Nantwich Sailing Club overall victory. This was despite the GP14 briefly taking a wrong turn during the pursuit race.

Behind the winning GP14 were a number of high performers who finished on equal points. Coming out ahead on tie-break - thanks to his victory in the pursuit race - was Simon Hawke's K1 keelboat from Castle Cove SC. Third was Jamie Blake in an ILCA 7/ Laser representing Great Moor SC.

Also finishing on equal points but just falling the wrong side of the tie-break were some of the best-known names in UK dinghy racing and all former winners of the Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series. Tom Gillard and Rach Gray from Sheffield Vikings and Staunton Harold were fourth, just ahead of Nick Craig's Finn from Burghfield SC.

With a near sell-out entry of 86 boats, Chase Sailing Club pulled out all the stops to put on a great event. With more than 45 volunteers and free hot drinks along with bright sunshine and moderate breeze, this was a classic day of winter dinghy racing, the like of which you would struggle to find anywhere else in the world.

Zhik's support for Older Boats starts to yield fruit

With high-performance clothing brand Zhik looking to raise its profile in grass-roots sailing, Zhik's support and the Series' 'Old Boats' initiative is attracting more participants who can't afford to buy new but will want to be competitive on the race course.

Among the entries at the Robline Polar Chase were a 43-year-old Snipe, many old Toppers and ILCAs, including a 37-year-old ILCA which finished 18th overall. Paul and Ria Burgoine bought a 30-year-old Enterprise for £1500 last year and managed to finish 14th overall.

The older, more affordable boats are also attracting a higher youth entry. James Davies bought his son a 1990s vintage Laser 3000. "It's a fantastic winter series, thank you so much," said Davies. "My son saved and bought his boat in August last year and this was his first season out racing. He is 15 and has learnt so much, sailed in a lot of different conditions with so many other boats on the water. He has met people who have been there at every event, sailors who have given him lots of advice and encouragement. He now has the amazing opportunity to crew a 420. All this has happened due to this Winter Series and the people he has been fortunate to meet. Thank you so much!"

GJW Direct Coaching Debrief with Simon Horsfield

Even if you stayed at home and didn't come to Chase SC, you can still get some great insights and go-faster tips from watching the GJW Direct sponsored Coaching Debrief by sailing coach and multiple champion Simon Horsfield. Here, Simon highlights a number of key moves on the busy race track, including the ability of Gillard/ Gray's Scorpion and Luke Fisher's RS Vareo to set themselves for huge gains at the high-traffic mark roundings...

www.facebook.com/SeldenSailJuiceWinterSeries/videos

Next Events

Straight after Christmas the Series moves on to the Magic Marine Yorkshire Dales Brass Monkey (currently at around 40 entries) on 27 December, closely followed by the Gill Grafham Grand Prix (currently at around 50 entries) on 29 December.

Magic Marine, with the support of North East Yorkshire Youth Sailing Association, are providing prizes at Yorkshire Dales. Online entry deadline is midday on Boxing Day, 26 December.

Please note there is an entry limit of 150 boats for Grafham and entry fees increase after 27 December. Entry includes a free pasta dish at the end of racing.

ENTER HERE

Top 3 and other results from Robline UK Polar Chase

Final Podium
1st GP14, Sam Watson & Charlie Cotter, Nantwich SC
2nd K1, Simon Hawkes, Castle Cove SC
3rd ILCA 7 / Laser Standard, Jamie Blake, Great Moor SC

Fastest (sustained speed over 20 seconds)
Jake WILLARS, RS600, 9.42kts

Corrected Speed against handicap
Sophie BAINES Topper, 6.36kts

CFbyLandL Youth Rankings £75 voucher
Sophie BAINES (Topper), 16 years old

Zhik Old Boats
14th Enterprise 21500 (30 years old)
Paul & Ria BURGOINE

Full Results from Robline UK Polar Chase

The Events

The following events are in the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series 2024/25:

  • Sailing Chandlery Datchet Flyer, Datchet Water Sailing Club - 7 & 8 December 2024
  • Polar Chase, Chase Sailing Club - 14 December 2024
  • Yorkshire Dales Brass Monkey, Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club - 27 December 2024
  • Gill Grafham Grand Prix, Grafham Water Sailing Club - 29 December 2024
  • Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash, Draycote Water Sailing Club - 4-5 January 2025 [re-scheduled from November 2024]
  • GJW Direct Bloody Mary, Queen Mary Sailing Club - 11 January 2025
  • King George Gallop, King George Sailing Club - 18 January 2025
  • John Merricks Tiger Trophy, Rutland Sailing Club - 1 & 2 February 2025
  • Zhik Oxford Blue, Oxford Sailing Club - 15 February 2025
  • Prizegiving at RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, Farnborough - 22 February 2025

ENTER EVENTS HERE

www.sailjuiceseries.com

Related Articles

Marine Auctions: June online auctions
Bidding to open on Friday 20th June The Bidding for the June Online Auction will commence on Thursday 20th June and will end on Thursday 26th June at 2pm AEST. Posted today at 5:19 am
Bulwarks and Bulldust – watch Episode Five
Episode Five - Shane Subichin, The Boat Works - is now up and running Watch along as we speak with Shane Subichin, GM at The Boat Works about his life from tinnies on Sydney Harbour to leading the team at the premier refit and maintenance yard on the Gold Coast. Posted on 6 Jun
New Formula 360 Crossover Bowrider
An exciting new generation of Formula dayboats has arrived An exciting new generation of Formula dayboats has arrived with the upcoming debut of the all-new Formula 360 Crossover Bowrider. Posted on 5 Jun
Michael Rybovich & Sons construction updates
Progress on hulls from 84', 62' down to 42' New construction updates of 70' S/F Hull # 9, 42' S/F hull #10, 75' S/F hull #11, 84' S/F - Hull # 12. Posted on 5 Jun
A very clear video for overhead casting
Stop fly casting 10-2 and start using this method for longer casts Lyall and Nathan have spoken to me often of how to advance beyond the clock face 10-2 using the terms translation before rotation. Posted on 4 Jun
Valhalla 55 Sport Yacht - Ready to ride
Making her highly anticipated debut in Atlantic City The Valhalla 55 Sport Yacht makes her highly anticipated debut in Atlantic City, New Jersey – and it's more than a new model. Posted on 4 Jun
NOAA reduces Atlantic bluefin tuna retention limit
The adjusted limits will take effect June 3, 2025 and extend through December 31, 2025 On May 29, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced adjustments to the Atlantic bluefin tuna daily retention limits for recreational anglers. Posted on 3 Jun
Delegation urges state control of red snapper
Expressing "strong support for a state-led framework to ensure science-based stewardship" South Carolina's congressional delegation, led by Congressman Russell Fry and joined by U.S. Senators, formally urged U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to transfer management of the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery to the states. Posted on 2 Jun
Bayliss Boatworks new construction updates
Big Deal's final touches are coming together beautifully Gearing up for her christening later this month, Big Deal's final touches are coming together beautifully. Posted on 2 Jun
Bulwarks and Bulldust – watch Episode Four
Episode Four - Mark Elkington, The Yacht Sales Co. - is now up and running Watch along as we speak with Mark Elkington from The Yacht Sales Co. about his transition from a West Australian crayfisherman to a global sales and support organisation par excellence. Posted on 30 May