Tappenden Shows A Clean Pair Of Heels

Fifteen dinghies took part in Gunfleet Sailing Club’s pursuit race for the Chase Trophy on Sunday 27 July 2025 with John Tappenden working his way through the fleet to take a convincing win.

In overcast conditions and a fluctuating offshore breeze, the scene was set for the staggered starts that releases classes of boats at various times, according to their official handicap; the theory being that at the end of a set time all the dinghies should be together in one bunch.  First away was Gary Hollis in his Laser Radial and just one minute later it was the turn of the Solo class; Michael Gutteridge leading, followed by Paul Jackson.  A further two minutes went by and it was then the Laser full rigs that set off; Andy Dunnett headed the pack, with Adam Kedge and then Simon Kedge just behind, Paul Stanton bringing up the rear.  The RS Aero 7’s were next to go some three minutes after the Lasers, when Tappenden was first away but soon passed by Tim Dye; just behind being Derroll Pedder.  Four of the RS Aero fleet went with the larger 9 rig and they had to wait a further three minutes with Martin Chivers taking the lead, followed by Ken Potts, Brian Allen, and then Dave Ingle.  Finally, eleven minutes after Hollis kicked the whole thing off, it was Simon Clarke in his Contender that gave chase to everyone else.  The first leg was a reach down the coast to the St. Michael’s buoy and Hollis lead the fleet round and out to the Saward buoy on the second leg.  He managed to hold everyone off until, as he almost made the offshore mark, Jackson slipped past, followed by Adam Kedge; Dunnett was next and then Stanton.  The third leg was a beat into the AWS buoy and the slight wind shifts caused some interesting tactics but Adam Kedge hung onto the lead, with Jackson second but Stanton now third, having got ahead of Dunnett.  The run back to Seaward saw Jackson get swept towards Clacton Pier by the flood tide which allowed Stanton and Dunnett to move up to second and third position.  After this was a fetch to the Kingscliff buoy before reaching back through the line; Adam Kedge holding onto first place.  Time was marching on and as the boats pursued each other so it was noted that Tappenden had moved up to third place, and by the time the Seaward mark was rounded, he was close behind Adam Kedge, and as the boats beat down to AWS and then ran back out to sea so a strong gust blew through, unsettled in direction.  Stanton and Dunnett both capsized, and Chivers capsized, not once but three times.  By now the finish time was in sight and Tappenden seized the opportunity to take the lead and pull away but hotly chased by Clarke and Potts, neither of whom could catch him.

The Chase:
1.    RS Aero – John Tappenden
2.    Contender – Simon Clarke
3.    RS Aero – Ken Potts