Ripe Craftinsure GP14 National Championship 2025 at Tenby Sailing Club - Overall

The final day of the GP14 day was set to be a showdown between 5 boats who all mathematically had a shot at winning. In the driver's seat was Barnham/Sexton on 10 points, but vulnerable with their discard of a 13, Hayes/James on 11 points who had been incredibly consistent all week, Hayle/Shaw who started the week strong with two bullets on 12 points.

Barnham/Devereux had started looking like they had figured it out after not sailing together for 9 years on 15 points and joint with them was the Loudens who had also been incredibly consistent.

Ripe Craftinsure GP14 National Championship at Tenby - photo © Richard Craig / www.SailPics.co.uk

The race officer had opted for the early start time of 11, to allow for time to fit 3 races in; so, the sailors could get their second discard of the week. The forecast was for the breeze to build during the day to a steady 10-15km knots.

Race team during the Ripe Craftinsure GP14 National Championship at Tenby - photo © Richard Craig / www.SailPics.co.uk

Race 6 sponsored by Clamcleats

The fleet were perhaps a bit too keen to get going, after a general recall, the race officer opted for the black flag.

First start all clear, and the leaders emerged from the left-hand side of the course with Curley Morris and Meg Tyrell leading from the Loudens and Sinclairs. The Barnhams had got their tactics wrong and had rounded outside the top 10.

The run condensed the fleet, and saw new leaders emerge up the next beat with the Cormacks storming into the lead followed by the youth team of Finlay Waterhouse and Matt Baird.

Up the last beat the Loudens took the lead and consolidated to take the win, the Cormacks held onto second and round the top 3 was the ever-consistent Hayes/James. Barnham/Sexton recovered to 5th, which kept them in the hunt.

Race 7 sponsored by Goacher Sails and Dinghy Shack

The breeze increasing to a steadier 13-15 knots but with big bands of pressure coming down the track.

Barnham/Sexton punched through the middle of the line with speed and controlled the beat from that point. The top of the best, got very funky with a windless hole, which eventually filled from left of the beat; meaning those on the right were stranded helplessly; for what probably felt like an eternity.

Barnham/Sexton lead from the Loudens, and Stephen Cooper and Elizabeth Guest Welsh Harp SC. The wind had shifted 30 degrees to the right by this point, making the next beat very one sided, Hayes/James had worked their way into 3rd by the top of the beat.

The race office moved the windward mark on the third lap to even out the course, the top 3 remained unchanged, as the fleet set off on the top reach. Barnham/Sexton and the Louden's opted for the kite, where Hayes/James did not hoist. Good call from the Hayes/James as they caught the leading pair and they all rounded the mark nose to tail on the final run.

John Hayes and Joel James finish 3rd in the Ripe Craftinsure GP14 National Championship at Tenby - photo © Richard Craig / www.SailPics.co.uk

Barnham/Sexton held on for the win, with Hayes/James taking 2nd and the Loudens 3rd. With the second discard about to come come into play, Hayes/James needed a win and for team Barnham/Sexton to finish 4th.

There was also the battle for 4th place heating up. The Cormacks were having a brilliant day scoring a 2 and a 4. This tied them on points with Barnham/Devereux, making the last a race a winner takes all... of 4th.

Race 8 sponsored by FMSailing

The breeze had now settled to the forecast direction with no more big shifts expected. The race officer had set a long beat into a strong tide for the final race of the champs, just what everyone's legs wanted.

A bit of pin end bias, and with the tide against the fleet were slightly line shy. The Loudens were clear away at the pin and took the first lefty to cross the fleet. Barnham / Sexton started towards the pin and were next to tack and cross. Hayes / James got away from the middle and had some work to do to catch the leaders.

At the first mark the Loudens lead comfortably, with Barnham/ Sexton equally comfortable in 2nd. 3rd Sinclairs, Hayes/ James, the Cormacks and then Barnham/ Devereux.

The top 5 of the race finished with the Loudens taking the win from Barnham/Sexton, the Sinclairs third, Hayes/James 4th and Team McGuinness in 5th.

The battle for 4th was intense, with both teams exchanging blows on the long upwinds and downwinds. It was only until the last beat team Barnham/Devereux got a little more distance to separate with a right-hand shift to secure 4th overall.

Overall, Barnham/Sexton had done enough to be crowned GP14 national champions 2025. A fantastic last day saw the Loudens jump to 2nd overall, and rounding off the podium after sailing an incredibly consistent week was Hayes/James.

Jasper and Graham with their trophies in the Ripe Craftinsure GP14 National Championship at Tenby - photo © Richard Craig / www.SailPics.co.uk

Keith and Mateo Louden finish 2nd in the Ripe Craftinsure GP14 National Championship at Tenby - photo © Richard Craig / www.SailPics.co.uk

Crew's race winners during the Ripe Craftinsure GP14 National Championship at Tenby - photo © Richard Craig / www.SailPics.co.uk

Tenby SC had not been visited by the GP14 Class before, but we will definitely be back. The only downside is the long walk across the sand when the tide is out!

The town is busy and has everything catered for. The club welcoming, well organised, Nigel Denchfield, the race officer listened to the 3 classes who were competing for their individual Nationals that week. Special thanks goes to Terry Evans who organised our socials as well as being the Beach Master all week, Quiz Master, and was at the grill for 2 nights cooking the BBQs.

Overall Results:
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