Jack and Elliot Gain A Convincing Win

Gunfleet Sailing Club had a busy weekend on 20/21 May, starting Saturday morning with the first in the Cadet and Otter Sailing On Saturday programme.  Under the close supervision of the Cadet Officer Claire Aylen, the young members got their boats out on the water and spent a number of hours getting some good practice.  In a fresh breeze, this proved the perfect opportunity to hone the skills of beating, running and reaching, as well as tacking tight and gybing; making full use of the tide.  With the first race in the SOS Class Points next Saturday morning it certainly looks like the competition will be stiff.

Sunday morning saw thirteen boats taking part in the Potts Pursuit Challenge.  With staggered starts, depending on dinghy speed, it meant each competitor was catching-up to the one in front whilst holding back those behind.  Toppers were first away, followed 8 minutes later by the Comet class.  Luke Powling lead the way, in his Topper, down to the St. Michael’s buoy and had sailed a significant distance when Dave Fowell and Jeremy Goodchild got underway in their GP14.  Soon after this the 405’s powered up with Tom and Ed Philpot leading the fleet; 31 seconds later the six Lasers were away and this just left the Fireball of Jack and Elliot Berry.  Some 23 minutes after the Topper had sailed off the Berry brothers were in full flight and for them it was a case of trying to pick everyone else off.  Powling maintained the lead as he headed out to the Seaward buoy but a shift in the wind, and a strong ebbing tide, made it apparent that it would not be possible to make the offshore mark without putting in a tack or two.  John Tappenden, who had lead the Lasers from the start line was now finding himself under challenge by several of his class-mates, whilst the GP14 was maintaining a good pace.  The next leg was a broad reach to the Kingscliff buoy and up went the spinnakers, so providing extra speed and a real spectacle to the onlookers.  The Fireball, by now, had made its way past half the competitors and, on the close haul back out to sea, challenged the Lasers.  A second reach to Kingscliff and then a fetch back through the line saw just one boat holding the Berry brothers back from claiming victory, and that was being sailed by the boys’ father Paul Berry.  As the time limit got ever closer the Fireball sailed past dad and into the lead, opening the gap as the finish horn went.
     
Results:
Potts Pursuit Challenge:    
1.    Fireball – Jack and Elliot Berry
2.    Laser – Paul Berry
3.    Laser – Ken Potts

In the afternoon more than 20 Cadets and Otters undertook sail training with ten dinghies getting on the water, and the young crew learning how to maximise performance.  Once again the weather proved practically perfect with a force three onshore breeze and a gentle sea.  It was brilliant to see the older, and more seasoned, Cadets helping to train the younger Otters, some of who were taking the helm for the first time.  Under the watchful eye of qualified sailing instructor Paul Berry, the session proved invaluable and, at the debrief that followed in the Clubhouse the whole thing was voted a total success.  And what is brilliant is that there is more of the same next Saturday and Sunday.