Author: Keith Sykes

The Racing got underway at around 1:30pm slightly later than planned but its always good form to wait for the boat that helped everyone else launch!.  With the wind a NE F2, the locals headed along the beach to avoid the tide, Jonathan (Laser) heading more out to sea.  Richard / Robyn (Rs400) completed the first lap closely followed by Don (D-one) Jonathan a couple of minutes behind, Nick Nick (Vareo)  Richard (Laser) then Mark & Phil (Lasers) having misjudged the tide a way behind.  Richard stretched the lead enough by lap 3 to take the Win from Jonathan and Nick.

Phil Highfield had arrived to late for race 1 to join Curtis as the 2^nd RS700 in race 2. 

Race2 with the wind probably a F3 soon got underway with everyone now keeping inshore for the start of the beat, Phil leading the asymmetrics to complete lap 1, Jonathan again leading the lasers but in much closer formation.  Curtis was going well in his 700 until Phil Harlow mentioned the same on 2 occasions, both resulting in a quick swim for Curtis followed by a swift recovery.  Phil pulled clear to earn the extra lap, but would finish 4^th behind both guests Jonathan, Nick and Richard.

Race 3 – The wind swung a little more Easterly and the boats got underway at the top of the tide, All the asymmetric were going well,  Nick Vareo  had the lead on corrected time at lap 1,  Jonathan closest on corrected,  Phil also going well in the 700 and again had a extra lap.  After 4 Laps it was Nick who took the win and Jonathan just pipping Phil to 2^nd by 2 seconds.

One of the closest battles of the day would be between Mark and Richard in the Lasers,  today was to be Richards in all 3 encounters.

So after day one, Jonathan has the lead by just one point from Nick then Richard 2 points adrift.  Good luck to everyone tomorrow and thanks to todays Race team of Nick, Phil and Keith

Full Results so far here…………..

Fish and Chip Supper and a well deserved cuppa or glass!

It was a small group of regulars and a guest who were able to make the clubs Thursday Regatta. The wind (F3) from the north and tide ebbing with the course set a little offshore.  As the race 1 got underway for some,  3 craft had misjudged the tide strength and rafted up on the pin mark.  Daniel (Solution) and Phil / Lorna (Rs400) recovered well and at the end of the first lap The RS400 was in front on the water, Richard F (laser), Mark Laser and Dan (Solution) in a tight group about 30 seconds behind.  At the end of the 3^rd lap It would be Richard would take the win by just 7 seconds from Mark.

Race 2 the wind had increased in strength and it wall a cleaner start for all. At the 1^st mark Phil was leading in the RS400, followed by Mark, Daniel and Keith, Richard was however paying more attention and decided sail to the next mark rather than just follow the others!.  Tom was finding the extra wind a bit of handful, not surprising as it was he first trip out in a laser and after 1 capsize his tiller parted company with the rudder.  With most helms spending some time on the centre board some more than others, it would be a close finish for 3 of the lasers and solution. Mark ahead of Richard followed by Dan and Keith,  Phil finishing 5^th on corrected time.

The wind then swung further to east and required Nick to move the start line further offshore. giving everyone time for a quick blast. The race soon got underway Phil opening up a commanding lead everyone else closely bunched with Rob (Phantom) in the mix. It was quite surfy downwind and in lap 2 Keith took and downwind swim, he was not he only one!!.  Dan thought he saw a blue flag and stopped racing and by the time he was away again it was between Richard and Mark for the Race and Regatta honours.  By the end of lap 3 Richard had established a 30 second lead,  Mark had a further 2 laps to make up the deficit and manged to cut it to 20 seconds at the line.  Phil and Lorna had done enough to make it a third on corrected time. 

So the Regatta honours when to Richard Foster after 2 well deserved wins, and 1 of only 2 boats to stay upright!.  Mark Second and Phil and Lorna Third.  It was great conditions and dam good fun with launching and recovery a breeze. 

A Big thanks Nick OOD and everyone for a great evening’s sailing. 

Full Results Here…….

Following on from a hot week it seemed like everyone was heading to the beach, Gorleston was having one of the busiest days of the year as it would be for the Gorleston members.  As the ribs were pulled on to the beach disaster struck as wheel failed on the orange rib which would have to join the public and spend the day on the beach.  With a lets go sailing attitude, a brief consultation, some rearranging of safety boats and a call to Hugh GYGSC’s 4^th Emergency service, we were ready to go. sailing.  It was decided to abandon the planed passage race to Hopton and sail a more local course.

Race 1 – Finally got under way at 12:30 in fairly slack tide with a Light breeze and coming from the east.  Phil in his 700 leading from Richard and Ed Brown Rs400 then Don  in his D1 out for the first time this year. The Single handers and the rest of the fleet closely bunched a couple of minutes behind.  As the Race continued Phil pulled away enough to earn an extra lap but would be pipped on corrected time by Carl in the Laser then David Solution just ahead of Nick Phantom and Richard and Ed in 5^th.

Race 2 – The wind was just picking up and had swung a tad more to the south, Roger guest helm in the RS500 was keen to start, so keen he got to do it twice in the one race.  Phil 700 was just managing to wire both up and down the course with the rest of the asymmetric still soaking downwind   The extra wind meant it was 4 laps for the fleet with Phil managing to Lap about half the boats on his 5^th lap.  It was enough for Phil to take the win from Carl in his laser and with David missing Race 2  it was Nick thenthe Browns in 3^rd and 4^th.

Race 3 – Required a mark move as the wind swung further south and with the tide now Ebbing the Sea was getting a little lumpy.  The hoped for the Sea breeze never arrived and the wind strength drop a notch.  The order over the course was pretty much the same but the Laser and Solution finding the conditions less favourable.  I the middle of the pack Don and Roger were having a close battle until Don hooked a spinnaker sheet on his kicker fitting and when for an untimely swim.  Richard Foster and guest crew Daniel would have there best race of the day and after 3 laps would finish on 3^rd behind Phil, the Browns then Nick and Carl.

Phil took the honours for the Day, followed by Carl and Richard and Ed. The Fleet headed back in to address the boat on the beach.  Another call to Hugh and some boat and trailer swapping and everything was soon back in the dinghy park, and it was time for Pie.

So after a great day on the water, it’s thanks the race team Steve and Darrel and with a massive thankyou to Hugh’s recovery service and a pre thank you to Phil in fabrication, it was just the traffic to deal with especially for those heading back down the acle straight and beyond. (I suspect Phil did not be take the win in that race.)

Full Results here……

See you all next week for the Regatta