Wednesday Evening Sailing Brings Out The Best

Gunfleet Sailing Club held the first race in its series for the Tony Chadd Trophy, on Wednesday evening 5 July, with Ken Potts claiming victory in his Laser.

A steady force three easterly breeze greeted the sailors and the first three boats across the start line were all Lasers, Robert Gutteridge leading on the close haul to the Kingscliff buoy.  On a broad reach back down the coast to the AWS buoy Gutteridge managed to hold off Potts but, on the subsequent leg out to the Seaward mark, Potts moved into the lead position, Rob Gutteridge now second, and Andy Dunnett third; Rob Lockett closely following in fourth place.  Derroll Pedder and Michael Gutteridge, in the GP14, held a very tight course out to sea and nearly made the buoy in one tack whilst others found themselves further down the coast.  Slightly further back was the Comet fleet, which has recently swollen in numbers.  Wily sailor Peter Downer lead, with Cath Bicknell laying second and Jack Harvey in third place.  

After Seaward it was a run down to the Eastcliff buoy before a beat back out to sea.  Dunnett headed further up the coast than the other competitors in order to compensate for the flooding tide, but found that a slight wind-shift allowed everyone to equally make their goal.  To finish the first lap it was back to Eastcliff and then a close haul through the line.  At this stage Potts was still leading with Rob Gutteridge second and Dunnett third.  The second lap saw very little change until the end of the penultimate leg when Dunnett got himself level with Rob Gutteridge and, being on the inside, sheeted hard in round the Eastcliff buoy and pulled away to take second place. 

Results – Tony Chadd Trophy - 1:

1. Laser – Ken Potts

2. Laser – Andy Dunnett

3. Laser – Robert Gutteridge

On Saturday evening a group of Gunfleet sailors took part in the Club’s Moonlight Cruise.  Setting off at 9:15 p.m. the boats headed to Clacton Pier as the light slowly faded.  The light breeze and warm air made for ideal conditions, although at times the full moon was hidden by cloud.  The Rescue Boat kept the group close together, and as the dinghies headed back so darkness fell and the flotilla was guided back by the lights of the welcoming clubhouse.

Sunday saw several dinghies take part in Clacton Sailing Club's Double Dan Race from Brightlingsea Sailing Club to Gunfleet's finish line.