John Wins The Ken Potts Pursuit In Lively Conditions

Gunfleet Sailing Club saw eighteen dinghies take to the water for the Kern Potts Pursuit Race Trophy on Sunday 15 May which, after a hard-fought battle, was won by John Tappenden in his RS Aero.

The Pursuit Race turns the event on its head as each class of dinghy starts at a specific time, based on the official handicap and, after a set time all the competitors should, in theory, be level with each other.  The conditions were somewhat lively with a force four gusting five north-easterly wind and lumpy sea; white horses making a regular appearance.  First away was Finley Taylor in the Topper and he soon realised the strength of the wind as he tacked up the coast to the windward mark at Kingscliff.  Some eight minutes later and the Topazes were underway but capsizes came thick and fast, though not deterring the competitors.  The Laser 4.7 of Yvonne Gough was next, followed by the Laser Radials and then the full rigged Lasers.  Two RS Aeros were the penultimate class to be set lose and finally, almost half an hour after the Topper, Ken Potts gave chase in his RS600; a fitting order as Potts was the donator of the trophy and had the unenviable task of trying to get past all his fellow competitors.

Casualties came thick and fast, as the wind seemed to strengthen still further, and first out of the race was Dave Ingle who capsized, and ended-up bending his tiller extension.  Next to come in was Adam Kedge in the Topaz when a serious capsize required the assistance of the Club’s Rescue Boat.  Taylor also found conditions just a bit too much for him and brought the Topper back to shore whilst Potts, having had a blinding start, was confronted with the pulley on the end of his boom parting company; a temporary lash-up, not the easiest thing to perform out at sea, put him back in the race but at a very serious time disadvantage.

Gough had sailed into the lead early in the race and held back her challengers until the leg from Eastcliff buoy when Andy Dunnett slipped past her in his Laser Radial at the St. Michael’s mark.  Brian Allen was laying third in his Laser Radial as the boats cut through the line on their first lap, but found Tappenden, and then Tim Dye in his Laser full rig challenging him.  As the time ticked on so a number of other capsizes occurred and it looked like Dunnett might claim victory but unfortunately a moment’s disorientation saw him heading for the wrong mark which allowed Tappenden to gain the lead. 

Results – Ken Potts Pursuit Trophy:
1.    RS Aero – John Tappenden
2.    Laser – Andy Dunnett
3.    Laser – Jono Dunnett