The Perfect Evening For A Sail

Gunfleet Sailing Club members enjoyed glorious weather conditions on Wednesday evening, 15 June, when the final race in the series for the Tony Chadd Trophy was held; a pleasant force two to three easterly wind complimenting the sinking sun.  On a closely bunched line it was Simon Clarke in his Solo who timed it just right as he hardened up, by the Outer Distance Mark, and headed close hauled up the coast to the Kingscliff buoy.  But he wasn’t alone, and sitting just on his leeward side was Brian Allen in his Laser, very closely followed by a cluster of dinghies.  The competitors headed towards the shore on the last of the ebb tide but Ken Potts broke away, tacked early to gain clean wind and was first to round the windward mark in his Laser, followed very closely by Clarke; laying third was Paul Stanton in his Laser.  The second leg was a reach to Lilley Farm before a broad reach down to the Eastcliff buoy, and at this point Potts pulled away from Clarke, whilst just behind were the Lasers of Stanton, Robert Mitchell, and Allen.  Once round Eastcliff the boats beat inshore, back to the line, with a question hanging over the tide; had it now turned?  Stanton took a gamble and tacking out to sea, then tacked again to follow Potts and Clarke, crossing the line at the end of the first lap in third place, Allen not far behind, and then Mitchell.  A little further back were Dave Fowell and Derroll Pedder, both sailing Solos, whilst behind them were the Comets of Peter Downer and Eddie White, and the Topaz of Simon Kedge.

On the second lap Potts continued to pull clear whilst Stanton started to snap at the transom of Clarke’s Solo but Clarke went inside Stanton when they rounded Eastcliff and held his own.  A second battle was underway, just behind, with Allen and Mitchell both vying for being the leading Laser in their group.  As the competitors reached the line at the end of the second lap Stanton caught Clarke on starboard and then began to pull away, whilst Fowell was closing the gap on the others in his Solo.
 
Results – Tony Chadd Series - 7:
1.    Laser – Ken Potts
2.    Solo – Simon Clarke
3.    Laser – Paul Stanton

Tony Chadd Series Overall:
1.    Laser – Ken Potts
2.    Solo – Simon Clarke
3.    Laser – Brian Allen