Weather Hits Sailing Programme

Gunfleet Sailing Club’s Bank Holiday weekend programme was hit by the weather when, on the Saturday, the first class points race for Cadets and Otters had to be postponed due to a force six north-easterly wind and lively sea.  The following day the Club went ahead with its race for the Bill Geddes Trophy despite continuing strong offshore winds.  

 

John Tappenden had a good start in his Laser, closely followed by Conor and Finlay Williams in their 405, with Dave Fowell and Derroll Pedder close behind in their GP14.  Despite fighting a flood tide on their way up to the Kingscliff buoy, the competitors seemed to take just a few minutes as they reached up the coast to the first mark, by which time the wind had freshened to a force six.  Unfortunately Rob Lockett capsized and turtled his Laser, resulting in quite a battle to right the craft, so losing valuable time and putting him at the back of the fleet.  Tom and Ed Philpot, venturing out for the first time in their new 405, capsized and needed the help of the Club’s Rescue Boat, so forcing them to retire.  The following leg, a broad reach out to the Seaward buoy, saw Eddie White also retire, in his Topaz.  The next to head for the beach was Paul Stanton in his Laser when an old arm injury flared-up.  The beat in to the AWS buoy split the fleet as wind shifts and wind shadows played havoc.  Try as he might, Andy Dunnett was unable to break into the top places, in his Laser, and Yvonne Gough, also sailing a Laser, had to battle hard to keep the boat upright.  At the end of the first lap Robert Gutteridge retired in his Solution, whilst Ken Potts had carved out a small lead in his Laser.  The second lap saw Potts open the gap and storm home to a clear victory.

 

 

The Monday saw very strong offshore winds which sadly prevented the Club’s cruise to Frinton from taking place, but allowed a number of members the opportunity to catch-up on some boat maintenance in the compound. 

 

The previous Wednesday evening Gunfleet held the first race in its Summer Series which, in contrast, took place in very light airs.  Once again the Lasers proved to be the largest fleet but it was Peter Downer in his Comet that stole the show.