A TOTAL of 39 boats from far and wide took part in the Bolton Sailing Club GP open meeting on Sunday.

The wind was light and variable from the south west at the start but gradually veered to become moderate from the north west by the third and last race and occasional showers gave way to sunshine. Thirty nine boats on the start line and complicated courses ensured exciting racing. Although many of the top GP14 helms took part all classes sailor were represented and the competitors were split into three fleets on ability.

Gold Fleet - First Neil Marsden and Derek Hill, Blackpool and Fleetwood. Second Ian Platt and Matthew Speight, Bolton. Third Mike Senior and Jon Senior, Bolton.

Silver Fleet - First Andrew Davey and Peter Dewhurst, Burwain. Second Ian Walker and Derek Jolly, Bolton. Third Darren Middleton and Chris Chapman, Blackpool and Fleetwood.

Bronze Fleet - First Andrew Monk and Caroline Monk, Glossop. Second Mandy Mitchell and Jon Close, Winsford. Third John King and Dennis Shevelan, Bolton.

Delph Sailing Club Early Points series -- Sunday, April 29 - GUSTY South-westerly winds provided tricky sailing conditions for races 10-12 of the early points series. Extreme wind shifts around marks in the shadow of nearby trees caused particular difficulty and this resulted in significant gains and losses.

Results: Fast Handicap - Race 1 -- 1. D Leather/I Oldbury 2. M Sharman/S Burgess; Race 2 -- 1. D Leather/I Oldbury 2. M Sharman/S Burgess; Race 3 -- 1. D Leather/I Oldbury 2. M Sharman/S Burgess

Laser - Race 1 -- 1. S Ashworth 2. B Hicks 3. J Pingree; Race 2 -- 1. B Hicks 2. S Ashworth 3. J Pingree; Race 3 -- 1. B Hicks 2. J Pingree 3. S Ashworth.

Enterprise - Race 1 -- 1. A Tayor/K Hayfield 2. R and R Cocking 3. K Grundy/S Starbuck; Race 2 -- 1. A Taylor/K Hayfield 2. L Moulden/L Peet 3. R and R Cocking; Race 3 -- 1. A Tayor/K Hayfield 2. L Moulden/C Charnock 3. K Grundy/S Starbuck.

Solo - Race 1 -- 1. J Farrell 2. R Jenkinson 3. F Ottiwell; Race 2 -- 1. J Farrell 2. R Jenkinson 3. P Evans; Race 3 -- 1. J Farrell 2. F Morrison 3. M Starbuck.

Miracle - Race 1 -- 1. J Cronshaw/J Dawber 2. D and J Hopkins; Race 2 -- 1. J Cronshaw/J Dawber 2. D and J Hopkins; Race 3 -- 1. D and J Hopkins.