Ken Dominates The Tee Dee Challenge Race

Gunfleet Sailing Club held one of its 3-in-1 races on Sunday 6 July, this time for the Tee Dee Challenge Trophy.  The forecast was for rain but, fortunately, it held off until after the race which was held amidst sunshine and blue skies.  

The earlier westerly wind had backed to south/south-west as the first race got underway, but the strength proved slightly frustrating due to its lightness.  With an ebb tide holding the competitors back, the fleet was tight to the line, but fortunately everyone was the correct side.  Ken Potts in his RS Aero, close to the Outer Distance Mark, lead the way, windward of Tim Dye who was also in an RS Aero.  Paul Stanton, in his Laser, chose to start by the Inner Distance Mark; the whole fleet beating towards the shore on port tack, keen to mitigate the adverse effect of the tide.  He had Paul Jackson close behind him in his Solo, whilst Michael Gutteridge retired back to the shore with a problem on the boom of his Solo.  As the boats arrived at the windward mark it was the RS Aeros of Potts, then Dye, followed by Dave Ingle and Ella Langfeldt that held the top four places; Stanton just behind and then Derroll Pedder in his RS Aero.  Next leg was a broad reach to the AWS buoy before a fetch out to Seaward; top three places being held by Potts, Dye and Ingle.  Following a smooth gybe it was in to the Kingscliff buoy before a beat back to the line.  On handicap, Potts took first place, Dye was second and Langfeldt third.  The second race saw Adam Kedge, in his Laser, close by the IDM at the start, Pedder just behind, whilst out at the ODM it was Dye who lead the way to Eastcliff, but before he could reach it, Potts had slid past and rounded it first, Dye second and Brian Allen, in his RS Aero, third.  Ingle was fourth but unfortunately touched the buoy and lost time carrying out a 360 degree penalty turn; this allowed Stanton to pull away from him.  Langfeldt then got round, followed by Adam Kedge but his father, Simon, was less fortunate and capsized his Laser on top of the mark.  Gutteridge was back out and in the fray after earlier repairs, chasing Jackson.  The wind had freshened to a force four by now but places changed little and the second race results, on handicap, matched those of the first race for the top three places.  The start of the third race saw Dye lead to Eastcliff, and he held this around AWS but the slight wind shift saw Potts regain top spot on what was now a beat out to Seaward.  On handicap Potts gained his third win, but only just ahead of Adam Kedge in second place on handicap; Dye now third.  With three firsts there was no doubt Potts could claim overall victory.

Tee Dee Challenge Trophy:
1.    RS Aero – Ken Potts
2.    RS Aero – Tim Dye
3.    RS Aero – Ella Langfeldt