Club's Laying Up Supper and Presentation of Trophies celebrates the Gunfleet's Success
The Gunfleet Sailing Club held its 2008 Laying-Up Supper and Presentation of Trophies on Saturday evening 18 October at the Walton and Frinton Yacht Club. Gunfleet’s Club Commodore Richard Walker welcomed over 60 members to the function and looked back at a very successful year despite fairly poor weather. All events, both on and off the water, had been extremely well supported and the increased compound had resulted in an influx of new members. Highlights of the year had included the Laser Open, the Xenon Open and a two-day Regatta with the highly popular and entertaining Cadet Day on the Saturday and over 30 boats taking part in the Sunday race day. As a result of the Regatta the Club had presented a cheque for £300 to the Clacton Lifeboat Station. New to the Club in 2008 had been the Gunfleet Cadet Week and thanks to the hard work and enthusiasm of Cadet Officer Andy Ford and his band of helpers the Club’s youngsters had all had a fantastic time.
Following a first class meal the following trophies were presented:
March Hare - Simon Clarke
Spring Series - John Tappenden
Toppo Single Helm - Ken Potts
Cadet Single Helm - Sonny Hart
Bill Clarke Shield - Ken Potts
Egg and Bacon - John Tappenden
Ken Potts’ Pot - Ken Potts
Potterer’s - Pot Peter Downer
Austin Ladies Trophy - Katie Davis
Jubilee Trophy - Roy Wyatt
Tee Dee Challenge Trophy - Ken Potts
Jim Suckling Shield - Simon Clarke
Summer Series - John Heath
RNLI Charity Shield - Paul Davis
London Trophy - Peter Downer
Tony Chadd Cup - Ken Potts
Wallet Trophy - John Tappenden
Hertford County Shield - Simon Clarke
Class Points:
Laser Challenge - John Tappenden
Frank Hyde Solution Tankard - Simon Clarke
Star Point Topaz Trophy - Eden Blaber
Mad Hatter Topper Trophy - India Ford
F. W. Mitchell Sea Ranger Trophy - Richard Walker
Bill Geddes Trophy - Ken Potts
Spirit of the Wind - Sonny Hart
Fleet Championships - Peter Downer
Autumn Series - Still to be completed
Tarrant Trophy - Antony Reeve
Senior Leading Helm - Ken Potts
Junior Leading Helm - Sonny Hart
Terry Baker “Cheers” Trophy - Lesley Sacre
Stan Camp Progress Cup - Darren Fitzpatrick
Junior Merit Trophy - Bethany Ford
Stein Ladies Merit Trophy - Sheila Reeve
Gentlemen’s Merit Trophy - Andy Ford
Due to the final race in the Autumn Series having to be postponed twice it was on the very next day to the Laying Up Supper that the Series could be concluded.
In a force four south/south westerly wind and overcast sky 12 boats took to the water to compete and no sooner had the start flag fallen from the yardarm than Kelvin Morton capsized in his RS600. However, he soon had his craft upright and with the rest of the fleet headed out to sea on a starboard tack to us the flood tide on the beat to the St. Michael’s mark. This was followed by a lively reach out to the Seaward buoy before the boats gybed and then fetched back to the Eastcliff mark. Unfortunately the gybe caught Eddie White out in his Solution and he lost a lot of time righting the craft, under the watchful eye of the Club’s Rescue Boat.
Although the conditions were not that inviting it was very good to see Cadets Bethany Ford and Lydia Ward out in their Topaz, and they sailed a particularly clean course and in a very good time. It was however at the fast handicap end of the fleet where the top positions were being held and at the end of the race it was John Tappenden that took first place in his Vortex with Ken Potts second in his RS600 and Morton third, also in an RS600. This therefore concluded the 2008 sailing season for the Gunfleet.
Results:
Autumn Series Overall:
1. Vortex – John Tappenden
2. RS600 – Ken Potts
3. Solution – Simon Clarke
The Gunfleet will now commence its Winter Series, for those more hardy Club members, with eighteen boats signing-up to take part. The first race commences on Sunday October 25 at 11:00 a.m.
