As if we needed any reminding that it was the ‘End Of Season’ event, there was a wintery chill in the air at Gorleston on sunday. There was an offshore F3 wind with the forecast suggesting it would gradually ease throughout the day. The sea state looked a little ‘lumpy’ and launching required the now well rehearsed teamwork in order to get everyone underway. Seven boats rigged, all single handers. Thanks to Phil who helped everyone to launch and having rigged his Phantom then decided to undertake some velocipeding !
With low water timed for 12.45 the tide would be ebbing for most of the racing.
Race 1- The well balanced line saw boats starting at both ends. Contender Jamie and Laser Carl opting for the port end. There was quite a tussle for the starboard end which saw two boats hitting the mark. Jamie and Carl headed straight inshore, the others stayed offshore using the stronger tide. However, it was Jamie and Carl who rounded the windward mark clear ahead picking up a nice lift as they tacked across to the mark. After two laps Jamie led with Carl in second and Solution Paul leading the rest. On the final lap it was Carl who took line honours with Paul second and Laser Dave third.
Race 2 – with a similar starting pattern to race one but this time everyone got clean away. The shifty offshore wind saw more tacking to the windward mark. Paul managed this well and held twenty second lead after lap one, followed by Vareo Richard and Carl. After lap two Paul had opened up his lead with Dave now second with Richard third. On the final lap Paul took line honours with Dave five seconds behind and Richard just holding off Jamie
Race 3- Despite the chill, everyone was enjoying the close racing and opted for a third race. Jamie held a small lead after lap one with twenty seconds separating the rest of the fleet. The two Lasers took the lead after lap two with Dave just ahead of Carl with Vareo Richard next. On the final lap Dave managed to open up a small gap to take line honours. It was a very close finish for the next four boats with just ten seconds between them, Vareo Richard finishing second followed by Carl, one second ahead of Paul.
Many thanks to the race team, Richard and Rosie, for a great days sailing, excellent course and close racing. A lovely way to end the season.
Once safely ashore Chef Brown served up piping hot butchers pies which were soon eaten by the grateful recipients.
On corrected time there were three different winners with Carl taking race one, Paul the second and Dave the third. Once the numbers were ‘crunched’ there was one point between the top three. Congratulations to Paul who wins the EOS trophy on count back, and also clinched the Autumn series in the process.
Interestingly, each of the three Sunday series, Spring, Summer & Autumn and the Thursday evening series has a different winner. This shows the spread in the talent we have in our little club.
Full results are on the club web site
Paul wins the EOS trophy
Well that’s it for the year, at least on the water. Please note the following dates for onshore activities !
19th Oct -Work Party, clubhouse @ 10.00 am
8th Nov – Prize giving Dinner, Pier Hotel @ 7.30pm
11th Nov – AGM, clubhouse @ 7.30 pm
GYGSC’s very own ‘Butch Cassidy’.