A Lot of Activity Down the Gunfleet

An offshore breeze greeted the 12 boats taking part in Gunfleet Sailing Club’s long distance race for the Jim Suckling Trophy last Sunday 8 August.  Paul Davis got a cracking start in his Solution but was soon overhauled by Simon Clarke, also in a Solution although this was not to last.  The first leg took the craft to the Pier buoy and with the wind gusting between the buildings on land positions varied as the race went on.  Once round this mark it was back to the Seaward buoy , a beat into the AWS mark and then along the coast to Holland Haven Outfall buoy before returning back to the line.  Those that were lucky enough to catch the gusts of wind found themselves going at a reasonable pace, sufficient for helms to use the trapeze where fitted.  Sailing for the first time in his new Laser, Cadet Michael Pedder did well to keep close to the other Lasers for much of the race, and Jon and Linda Meggison cut a fine sight in their Topaz; this being only their second race.  At the end of the first lap Ken Potts had a strong lead in his RS600 and whilst the second lap took him a greater time than the first he still had a convincing victory.

Results: Jim Suckling Long Distance Trophy
1. RS600 – Ken Potts
2. Blaze – John Tappenden
3. Solution – Paul Davis

The previous day, as part of the Club’s Cadet and Otter Sailing On Saturday (SOS) the first race in the both the Topper and Topaz classes took place.  The young sailors, most of whom only started sailing last season, have been building their skills up through regular training at the Gunfleet and this was the first time to put what they had learnt into practice.  The first class away was the Topper and the more seasoned sailor Sebastien Mathewson took an immediate lead.  However, slightly further back there was a real battle between Zak Thomas and Zak Kurtulus.  Thomas pulled ahead as the craft fetched towards the Seaward buoy but as the boats headed back down to the shore Kurtulus kept a very straight course and made up much ground.  Five minutes after the Topper fleet started the Topazes set off and it wasn’t immediately evident who was going to make the Eastcliff buoy first, with different tactics being deployed.  However on the leg out to the Seaward mark Bethany Ford pulled away and continued to open the gap.  Once again it was a real competition between Charlie Venables and Tilly Thomas as to who was going to take second place, whilst only slightly behind them was Aaron Baker.  In the end it was Venables that took second position. 

Results: SOS Topper Series – 1
1. Sebastien Mathewson
2. Zak Thomas
3. Zak Kurtulus
SOS Topaz Series – 1
1. Bethany Ford
2. Charlie Venables
3. Tilly Thomas    

The previous Wednesday evening saw the last race in the series for the Tony Chadd Trophy.  As in all good race series it was down to the final event to determine who would be the winner and the rivalry was between Potts in his RS600 and Clarke in his Solution.  In a light offshore wind it was no surprise to see both these competitors neck and neck on the start line and it really was a case of “let battle commence”.  Whilst these two fought it out the rest of the fleet quietly sailed a clean course although it was somewhat surprising to see Derroll Pedder capsize, almost in slow motion, in his Vortex; however he still took a respectable fifth place.  At the end of the race it was Clarke that took the winning gun, and the series overall, but on handicap Peter Downer slipped into second place in his Comet resulting in a third position for Potts on the day and second place overall.

Results: Tony Chadd Trophy – Overall
1. Solution – Simon Clarke
2. RS600 – Ken Potts
3. Byte – Simon Mathewson