Last Sunday 22 July the Gunfleet Sailing Club held its race for the Austin Ladies Trophy and six helms signed-on to take part. The weather was absolutely perfect with a gentle force 3 to 4 southerly wind, blue skies and bright sunshine. Leading the fleet at the start was Darcie Baker in a Topper with Bethany Ford hot on her heels in a Topaz. The boats sailed close hauled down to the St. Michael’s buoy, with the tide under them, making quick work of the first leg. There then followed a reach out to the Seaward mark, by which time Yvonne Gough had pulled ahead in her Laser. As the competitors rounded the offshore buoy Ford clipped it with her boom and lost valuable time undertaking a 360 degree penalty, allowing Gough to open the gap. The craft then headed on a run down to the Kingscliff buoy and a beat back out to sea, and whilst all the other competitors sailed parallel to the shore and then tacked out to sea, Linda Meggison wisely headed straight offshore in her Topaz to benefit from the strengthening tide. The competitors then ran back, for a second time, to Kingscliff before fetching through the line. At the end of the first lap Ford had a reasonably strong lead and despite working hard on the second lap, and subsequently closing the gap, Gough was unable to slip in front.
Results – Austin Ladies Trophy:
1. Topaz – Bethany Ford
2. Laser – Yvonne Gough
3. Topaz – Linda Meggison
The previous day had seen the third event in the Club’s Cadet and Otter Sailing On Saturday series. In support of the Royal Yachting Association “Push The Boat Out Day” the youngsters brought along friends to have a go at a new sport and in perfect weather conditions they all had a great time. With some seventeen dinghies on the water it also proved an attractive sight to the many passers-by on land. As part of the afternoon’s fun there were two races; one for the Topper fleet, of which there are thirteen in the club, and the other for the Menagerie Class (anything other than Toppers). With the lowering of the Topper class flag, signifying the start of the race, Zak Kurtulus took an early lead as the boats headed towards the Kingscliff buoy. Once round it was a fetch back to the AWS mark before a beat out to Seaward. By this time Robert Gutteridge had edged his way into the lead position but it was evident this was still going to be anyone’s race. The broad reach to the Eastcliff buoy saw the leading three Toppers neck and neck with absolutely nothing in it, but as they cut round the last mark Gutteridge managed to pull ahead again, with Jake Kurtlus almost touching his rival’s rudder; a nail-biting finish to a very exciting race.
Ten minutes after the Toppers had set off the Menagerie fleet were away and up went the individual recall flag as Charlie and Harry Spence were just a bit over-eager in their Topaz Uno Plus, having crossed the line a fraction too early. Ironically some of the other competitors, thinking this might refer to them, went about and headed back to the line whilst the Spence brothers took a little longer to realise their mistake. Beth Ford and Finlay Connor soon pulled out in front in their Topaz Tres and seemed unstoppable, despite the Hobie 405 of Connor Williams and Nick Cottee remaining hard on their heels throughout the race. Once round the Kingscliff Buoy it was a close haul out to the seaward mark, a run to the AWS buoy; the tide on this leg dragging the boats towards Frinton, and then a beat out to Seaward, a reach to the Eastcliff buoy and back through the line. Despite their poor start the Spence boys did well to catch-up as the race went on but it was the Topaz Tres that took the winning gun.
Results – Topper Series 2:
1. Robert Gutteridge
2. Jake Kurtulus
3. Zak Kurtulus
Menagerie Series 2:
1. Topaz Tres – Beth Ford and Finlay Williams
2. Hobie 405 – Connor Williams and Nick Cottee
3. Topaz Uno Plus – Charlie and Harry Spence
This was followed by the Club's annual Crabbing Contest when some 70 people attended, and prizes were awarded to the largest, smallest, silliest and prettiest crabs, amongst others. The Galley served 67 meals of pie and mash or sausage and mash, and everyone agreed it had been a perfect day and a lovely finish to a fun packed afternoon down the Gunfleet.
