Another Great Wednesday Evening On The Water

The fourth race in Gunfleet Sailing Club’s series for the Tony Chadd Trophy took place on Wednesday 28 May 2025 with Ken Potts continuing to dominate the top position.

As the competitors rigged their boats it was evident the stronger winds of earlier had fallen away to a force 2 to 3 breeze, coming from the north-west, resulting in big rigs all round.  The evening sunshine illuminated the distant wind farm against a blue sky backdrop, as boats launched and helms started surveying the best place on the line to start from.  However, in a twist of fate, as the five minute class flag was hoisted so the wind swung, settling in the east, and the sailors quickly had to rethink their strategy.  Five minutes later the fleet was away and Ken Potts lead in his RS Aero, heading towards the shore on starboard tack, Tim Dye, also in an RS Aero, to windward; Simon Clarke in his Contender to leeward of them, sailing faster and freer.  The boats all beat out to the Preston Park buoy on the last of the ebb tide, knowing that halfway through the race it would turn and start to flood.  First around the windward mark was Dye, followed by Potts, but with Brian Allen and Martin Chivers fighting it out just behind, both in RS Aeros, and then Joff Strutt in his Laser.  After a broad reach out to the Seaward mark there followed a gybe before a run to Lilley Farm buoy but unfortunately, for Dye, he capsized and let not just Potts through, but also Chivers who had now overtaken Allen but almost suffered the same fate as Dye in the process.  As the fleet rounded Lilley Farm it was Potts still leading, Dye back in second place after a good recovery, Allen now third, then Clarke and Chivers.  At the end of the first lap, on handicap, it was Potts in front, followed by Dye and then Adam Kedge in his Laser, fourth being Strutt who was a split second ahead of Allen.

Straight after this, Dave Ingle in his RS Aero, and Strutt, both tacked out to sea, banking on benefiting from the very last of the ebb, but when Preston Park was rounded it remained Potts leading, Clarke now second on the water.  As the fleet completed the second lap, Potts had strengthened his lead but Kedge had moved up to second place, Dye third, whilst fourth place was now taken by Clarke.  

On the third and final lap, Dye tacked out to sea but by this time the tide appeared neutral and he made no real gain, or loss, but positions certainly changed further back.  Derroll Pedder, in his RS Aero, managed to move up the ranks, but it was a case of too little too late and Potts romped home to victory, Kedge second, Dye third and now Allen in fourth place.

Results – Tony Chadd Series - 4:
1.    RS Aero – Ken Potts
2.    Laser – Adam Kedge
3.    RS Aero – Tim Dye