Hampton Pier Yacht
Club at Herne Bay in Kent hosted the 2004 Comet Duo
National Championships. Eight Duo's started the first race in a very
light wind.
The first race over
a figure of eight in winds proved a testing time as the tide
turned but in the end Richard Gower and Barbara Gauntlet triumphed
followed
by Geoff and Celia Gambrill and Frank and Glynis Oliver third.
In the second race
the light northerly wind freshened to provide an exciting race
with five different Duo's holding the lead at various times. However,
at the end
Stephen and Andrew Linton, last year's champions, won with Nigel &
Ann Ford
second and the Gambrills third.
The second days race
started early with a south westerly wind force 2-3.
Once again the racing was close with lead changing several times but
finally
Richard Gower and Barbara Gauntlet won followed by Geoff and Celia
Gambrill
with Frank and Mary Smith third.
Frank and Mary maintained their improving form leading the fourth
race
for much of the time but overtaken at the last mark by the Gambrills
with
Richard and Barbara third.
So after four races
with the wind increasing to force 5 gusting 6 the final race
would decide the national champion. Nigel and Ann Ford sailed very
well in the
demanding conditions and were first home followed by Geoff & Celia
Gambrill
with Richard Gower and Barbara Gauntlet, who had suffered a capsize,
coming
in third.
So after two days
of very competitive racing Geoff and Celia Gambrill were
declared the 2004 champions with Richard Gower and Barbara Gauntlet
runners up as they were in 2003.
Full Results:
1st: Geoff and Celia Gambrill
2nd: Richard Gower and Barbara Gauntlet
3rd: Nigel and Ann Ford
4th = Frank and Mary Smith
4th = Frank and Glynis Oliver
Sailing single handed John Linnell again
proved himself to be an excellent
Duo helm but sadly without any competition.
1st: John Linnell
2004