A few weeks ago we may have said it was a warm start to the day but after the past few hot days it felt a bit chilly. This may have been the reason there were very few people on the beach, although the Gorleston cliff top festival may have also contributed to this.
Eleven boats were rigged and launched and apart from the two RS400’s all were single handers.
The offshore wind was patchy and variable, initially from the west but gradually moving to the SW, and wind strength anything from very little to a F2.
And the most travelled visitor award goes to……………… Paul, visiting from NZ
Race 1 – With HW just before the start there was little tide to deal with. Dave & John, sailing their RS400 led the fleet, closely followed by Phantom Nick and Richard, who was going solo, swapping his RS400 for his RS300. These three opened up a good lead on the rest of the fleet after two laps earning themselves an extra lap to the others. Behind them, Solution Richard led after lap one and new member Mark, sailing a Phantom leading on lap two. Vareo Richard put in a fast second lap finishing one second behind Richard.
A day for concentration
Race 2 – the patchy and shifty wind was a test for everyone’s patience! By now the ebb tide was flowing, particularly noticeably inshore. Dave & John led the slow moving fleet, eventually opening up a good lead. Phantom Mark worked the shifts well moving into second spot nearly three minutes ahead of the next boat, Phantom Nick. The two Solutions were enjoying a close tussle with Richard just a few seconds ahead of Paul. Thankfully the race team took sympathy on the fleet and finished the race after one, very long lap.
Little Phantom, big Phantom !
Despite the light conditions there was still some appetite for a third race. The race team thoughtfully moved the windward mark a little closer, also taking into consideration the wind had shifted more to the south. Things looks good during the countdown but just before the start the wind died, and slowly but surely everyone gradually drifted further away from the start line. After several minutes everyone decided to head for home, which itself proved difficult. Eventually the two Safety boats towed boats back to shore
Race three- trying to get to the line
On corrected time Dave & John won both races with Phantom Nick second in race one and Phantom Mark second in race two. Third place in both races went to Solution Richard. With just one week to go, Phantom Nick is looking well positioned to win the Summer series, holding a six point lead over Solution Paul
Dave & John, winners of race 1 & 2
Ironically just as we had got all the boats back ashore a decent Southerly breeze filled in. Many thanks to the race team for a testing and mentally tiring (frustrating!) days sailing and for making the most of the conditions.
Full results are on the club web site
Photos on the club Flickr site