GP14 Victor Trophy at Welsh Harp Sailing Club, London

Upwind rounding with the Wembley Stadium in the background during the GP14 Victor Trophy at Welsh Harp © Luke Howard

On this warm October day in London when the wind came as expected in the middle of the morning blowing southerly 10-12 knots gusting up to 20 knots down the whole stretch of the lake.

Visitors Young & Young from South Staffordshire Sailing Club took the top prize, but it wasn’t an easy win. Meanwhile, in the middle of the fleet Drain & Lomax, a first-time bronze entry made a surprising 8th spot overall finish ahead of the majority of the silver fleet.

The day began with Young & Young having a great star and dominating the race throughout with a clear lead. However, the visitors were chased down by local favourites Wolf & Renaud, but the visitors had a lucky first-place finish a few seconds ahead of their opponents. Third place was clinched at the finish by Lord & Rose who got ahead on the last tack before the finish as they noticed Cleal & Kowalewski almost having a capsize on a nasty header. Suffice it to say Richard Lord, ex-world Champion 1975, knew better and tacked off before the header arrived and finished ahead of Cleal & Kowalewski. Richard Lord has decided to retire from GP racing after this event.

GP14 Victor Trophy at Welsh Harp - photo © Luke Howard

In race 2, Team Young got away early again after the start and sailed a race of their own ahead of a battle behind them for the second spot. Wolf & Renaud kept catching up throughout the race being in the middle of the fleet at the first upwind mark. Cleal & Kowalewski attempted to hold off the challengers by covering their opponents and kept them at bay finishing seconds before Wolf & Renaud.

Sailors enjoyed a sumptuous and healthy lunch. There were 10 options to choose from including five salad options. Some wished for a siesta but the race officer kept to the schedule.

Race 3 would be a clean win for Cleal & Kowalewski who dominated the race throughout the course by closely covering their closest rivals Wolf & Renaud until the finish line.

The Victor Trophy was still up for grabs in the last race with Team Young on 5 points and both their opponents tied on seven points each. Wolf & Renaud made a clean start and stayed on top throughout the race but that was not enough. They needed Team Young to finish third or worst to win this year’s Trophy. Alas, it was not to be. Team Young finished second in the last race claiming the top position. As the joyful visitors returned home victorious, they had much to thank the club and its volunteers for making the event such a success. The visitors also took back with them a history lesson by Commodore Matyjaszczuk who explained how the victor planes which were strategic bombers designed by Handley Page in 1952 during the cold war period, were the inspiration behind the trophy.

Team Young winning the GP14 Victor Trophy at Welsh Harp, with Commodore Matyjaszczuk - photo © Luke Howard

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