Brian Beats 'em All

Sixteen dinghies took to the water on Sunday 9 August 2026 when Gunfleet Sailing Club held its 3-in-1 race for the Bill Clarke Shield.  The event consisted of three short back to back races with all three results counting to the final positions.

A somewhat fickle south/south-westerly breeze saw all the competitors bunched at the Outer Distance Mark in the first race, all vying for the best spot.  Unfortunately Jono Dunnett was a bit too eager in his Laser and was over the line but on seeing the individual recall flag immediately returned and corrected his error; Ken Potts also returning in his RS Aero.  Brian Allen took his RS Aero into an early lead, with Dunnett making a quick recovery but it was John Tappenden in his RS Aero that pinched high and was first to the Lilley Farm mark, doing well to make against the ebb tide.  The rest of the fleet had to put in a tack which gave Tappenden a strong lead as he broad reached down the coast to the Preston Park buoy, the wind now backing southerly.  After a short leg to the Kingscliff mark it was a fetch back to the line and it was here that Allan pulled out all the stops and, sailing slightly freer, managed to squeeze past Potts, beating him by one second.  On handicap though it was Tappenden first, Chris Maloney second in his Comet, and Andy Cornforth third in his RS Aero.  The second race had a clear start with Tappenden leading, Allen just behind, and Tim Dye third in his RS Aero, but by the time the competitors reached the Lilley Farm mark it was Allen, then Dye, followed by Dave Ingle in his RS Aero.  Slightly further back there were some separate battles going on, with Cadets Adam Kedge and Finley Taylor challenging each other in their Lasers; Taylor pipped at the post by just a few seconds.  Dye just got ahead of Allen within yards of the finish and took first place by four seconds, Tappenden coming third.  The final race saw another individual recall; this time it was Ingle that was over-eager and quickly returned.  Potts held off Allen at the start but Allen managed to round Lilley Farm first, with Tappenden second and Potts third.  From this point on, Allen kept comfortably ahead of his competitors whilst Potts overtook Tappenden, taking second and third places respectively; Allen taking the winning gun and claiming victory overall.

Bill Clarke Shield:
1.    RS Aero – Brian Allen
2.    RS Aero – John Tappenden
3.    RS Aero – Ken Potts