Sunshine but a Lack of Breeze Greets Competitors in Spring Series Race

Being totally unaffected by the erupting Icelandic Volcano the members of Gunfleet Sailing Club made the most of the fine weather last Sunday 18 April with seventeen boats getting on the water, ten of these to take part in the third race of the Club’s Spring Series.

It was easy to forget that it was still April with bright blue skies, unbroken sunshine and a very light breeze.  In fact the southerly wind was so light that the competitors ghosted up and down the start line wishing it might just fill-in a bit.  As the race got underway the boats fetched to the Eastcliff buoy, with Cadet Simon Mathewson getting a very good start in his Byte.  It wasn’t long before all the craft were heading out to the Seaward mark and leading the fleet on the water was Peter Downer in his Comet, despite there being six other boats in the race with faster handicaps.  There then followed a dead run down to the Kingscliff buoy and at this point the helms needed every ounce of concentration as they struggled to stem the fresh flooding tide.  It was on this leg that Paul Davis slipped ahead in his Solution but at a very gentle pace.  What little wind there was then seemed to slip away to nothing as the boats beat back out to sea.  Officer of the Day – Rear Commodore Catherine Venables wisely decided to shorten the course but Andy Dunnett in his Laser and Bethany Ford in her Topaz both decided that it was too painfully slow out there and decided to retire.  Downer continued to sail a very clean course and had a comfortable victory, demonstrating to the rest of the competitors what a seasoned veteran sailor he is.

Results: Spring Series 3
1. Comet – Peter Downer
2. Solution – Simon Clarke
3. Solution – Paul Davis