Allen Grand Prix Series 2020-2021 Report
Many thanks to Allen for sponsoring our series and providing so many great prizes.
The Allen Series opened in Weymouth after a 238 day sailing desert. 74 boats turned up keen to get back on the water racing. As is so often the case with the first event of the season, the weather took no prisoners - 16 knots and chop produced by the NE breeze. First overall and first mixed after a consistent event was Elodie Edwards/Ewan Wilson 2905 with first girls 2344 Annie Hammett/Jess Jobson.
The fleet returned to Weymouth for Allen Grand Prix 2 as it was one of the few sailing clubs at the time able to comply with the covid regulations governing sporting events. A gusty 18 knots on the Saturday follows by 10 knots on the Sunday made for a challenging event. You really did have to be able to perform in both light and heavy winds. Leo Wilkinson and Sam Jones 2966 took first overall with Sophie Dennis and Emma Wells 2340 first girls.
Allen Grand Prix 3 was again held at Weymouth due to the challenges we faced dealing with covid 19. Sadly the 38 knot wind blew out day one. Day two dawned with a 8 knot shifty and temperamental breeze. Sometimes there and sometimes really not. It made for a very different kind of racing but Leo and Sam triumphed to take their second win of the season. First girls were 2234 Emily Mueller and Flo Brellisford.
The fleet relocated to Hayling for Grand Prix 4 and a light wind first day. The wind picked up on the second day with tide a factor on both days. First overall and first girls were 2743 Emily Mueller and Flo Brellisford with 2966 Leo and Sam second.
The last Grand Prix of the series was Grand Prix 5 once more at Weymouth. The summer brought light, shifty and unstable winds. Once more Leo and Sam won overall with Sophie and Emma first girls.
Due to lockdowns we were unable to fit the usual six Grand Prix into the calendar. However the five events provided a wide range of testing conditions. First overall for the series was Leo and Sam with Sophie and Emma first girls. First mixed was Elodie and Ewan.
Many thanks to Allen for sponsoring our series and providing so many great prizes.
Photo credit: Digital Sailing
