Lack of Wind does not deter a busy Gunfleet Weekend

Gunfleet Sailing Club had a busy weekend, starting on Saturday 31 May with the cruise to the Naze. Heavy cloud and a sea mist greeted the boats, along with a total lack of wind, but as the craft headed up towards Walton on the ebb tide so the sun broke through and a light onshore breeze kicked in. Having arrived at their destination the Club members enjoyed a picnic before returning on the first of the flood tide.

Fourteen boats took part on Sunday 1 June in the Long Distance race for the Jim Suckling Shield and once again the sky was totally overcast and the breeze barely evident. Unfortunately Antony Reeve slipped across the line just before the start and failed to return to correct his mistake and so was disqualified. The fleet had a long fetch up to Holland haven and the Outfall buoy before reaching all the way back to the AWS mark, off the Club, followed by a beat out to the Seaward buoy and then a further reach to the Clacton Pier buoy before returning to the line. Although the race appeared to be a bit of a procession there was some battling going on between the classes. Out in the lead for some time was John Tappenden in his RS 600 followed closely by Ken Potts, who flew his asymmetric kite as much as possible, in his RS 700. Also flying an asymmetric spinnaker on their Sport 14 were Tony and Celia Merryweather who were putting the pressure on the Laser fleet. As the race progressed so the wind freshened slightly and the boats made a fine sight cutting through the water. It was good to see Cadet Shelby Fowell competing in her new Laser and also Derroll Pedder out for the first time in his RS 600. But the star of the show was Roy Wyatt who sailed his Comet Zero for the first time this year and stuck doggedly just behind the Lasers to take third place overall on handicap, being beaten by Simon Clarke and Mark Venable, both sailing Solutions, who took first and second place respectively.

Results:

Jim Suckling Long Distance Shield:

1. Solution – Simon Clarke
2. Solution – Mark Venables
3. Comet Zero – Roy Wyatt