Lively Conditions Keep Helms On Their Toes

Gunfleet Sailing Club members were greeted by a flat sea and strong offshore winds, gusting up to force 6, last Sunday 21 April,  which meant it was going to be a lively sail.  Some members felt it might be a bit too much of a handful and decided to sit this one out, whilst others rigged-up with the appropriate sail to try and cope with the conditions.

Capsizes began as soon as dinghies went afloat and the Club Rescue Boat was busy ensuring that everyone was safe.  Yvonne Gough turtled her Laser and, having received outside assistance, retired back to the shore.  Next to capsize was Brian Allen who, without the smaller rig, was struggling to manage his RS Aero.  The competitors closed the gap on the line but at the start Robert Mitchell was just too keen and found himself the wrong side; the individual recall flag was hoisted and it seemed just seconds before he had returned in his Laser and was giving chase.  Simon Clarke lead the fleet in his Europe, with Jono Dunnett and his father Andy, both sailing Lasers, close behind.  The first leg was up the coast to the Preston Park buoy, fighting the last of the flood tide.  Squally gusts, varying in strength and direction, kept all the sailors on their toes; particularly impressive were the three Toppers of Cadets Adam Kedge, Finley Taylor, and Belle Hart who all battled on to hold a true course.  As the boats reached the first mark it was Clarke, then Jono Dunnett, followed by Andy Dunnett, but on the beat into the Kingscliff mark, Mitchell slipped through the fleet into third place; further back were Paul Jackson and Michael Gutteridge in their GP14.  The third leg took the dinghies round the AWS mark and on to Lilley Farm buoy, by which time Jono had taken the lead and Mitchell capsized; Hart also capsized, and Andy Dunnett found conditions a bit too gruelling and retired.  The penultimate leg was a beat into the Eastcliff mark before a reach back to the line.  Kedge had managed to lead the Toppers but Taylor was clearly closing the gap whilst the top places, at the end of the first lap, were Jono Dunnett, Clarke, and Mitchell.  Further capsizes occurred and the competitors were all relieved to see the shorten course flag flying from the yardarm as they completed the second lap.  All credit must go to Kedge who battled his way into fourth place on handicap.    

Results – Spring Series 3:
1.    Laser – Jono Dunnett
2.    Europe – Simon Clarke
3.    Laser – Robert Mitchell