Author: Keith Sykes

Wind Strength = F4/5 , Direction = Northerly

The fleet arrived at Gorleston with many expecting no racing but with a flat sea the launching looked good despite the strong winds. . A number decided it was very windy and did not launch.  8 boats headed out Tom and Will both with new crew.  In the end 6 boats came to the start. 4 400’s a 500 and 420.  The fleet opted to start on port with Fryer and Houghton  getting the better starts. At the windward mark,  Fryer headed inland and Houghton out to sea, Houghton tipping it in on the gybe saw Freeman in the Rs500 take advantage, rounding the next mark in second place closely followed by Houghton after a speedy recovery.  At the end of the 3rd lap Fryer was just ahead of the R500.

The second Race saw the 2 D-ones of Sallis and Gray join the fleet just as the wind picked up a notch!!  The 500 got away but with some spinnaker problems and the team of Freeman and Sykes still working a few things out only just managed to beat Houghton to the line with Fryer 1 minute of so behind.

Just before the third race start Harlow decided to lose Lorna over the side, to be picked up by Brown and returned to Harlow by the rescue boat.  This meant only 4 boats started and Brown was late to the party after his taxi work.  This time the 2 lap race saw Freeman and Sykes get clear away having worked out how to sail together, finishing 2 minutes clear of Fryer with Houghton 30 seconds back. 3 Great races with Freeman taking all 3 wins despite complaining he couldn’t see where he was going down wind due to the spray.  Thanks to the OOD team for an exhilarating days sailing.

Spring Series Results here.

On a separate note congratulations to Richard Fryer for his 4th in the Rs300 Slalom’s at Bristol last weekend.

More details and some video here……..

Wind Strength = F2 , Direction = Easterly

A lovely evening and  a turnout of 5 lasers, 2 Rs300 and Rs400 saw 2 closely fought races.

The first saw the 2 R300’s round first followed by Phil and Lorna in the 400 with Keith and Richard neck and neck in the 2 lasers, with Keith and Richard changing places throughout the race.  At the end on the third lap the everything was very close.  With Dave taking the honours by 2 seconds on corrected time from Richard Brown with Keith only 5 seconds behind him.

The second race saw the 2 300’s get way with Dave edging away from Richard Fryer and Phil and Lorna, in the lasers Keith managed to break away leaving Ed and Richard to battle for 4th,  Dave again took the win this time Fryer taking 2nd and Keith 3rd,  Brown just overhauling Ed on the last leg to take 4th.

Many thank to Nick Eastwood for running the races.

Thursday Results also updated here.

On a separate note congratulations to Richard Fryer for his 4th in the Rs300 Slalom’s at Bristol last weekend.

More details and some video here……..

Wind Strength = F2 , Direction = Various

With a forecast of a changeable wind direction and a strong tide, the boats gathered on the prom to await a settled breeze. A few sailors decided to head home, then the wind appeared to arrive from the south east and after a quick change the fleet headed out.  The first race got away at 11:30 and all was looking good for the first lap as the lead boats headed back down wind, on the second lap the wind swung further to the east,  with spinnakers dropped Chris Sallis held off the following 400’s of Brown and Houghton for the first victory of the day.  With the course reset and the first signal sounded the wind veered to the north east  the consensus was to start the race anyway.  With Kites hoisted as soon as boats cleared the line the boats reached for the mark, Houghton, James (without kite) and Gray rounded first and headed back, The less than conventional course and only 2 ten minute laps saw Dave Houghton hold off Steve Gray to take the honours.   The wind now directly from the East and the course reset (not far enough into the tide) and the repaired Hobbie of the 2 Steves joined the fleet for the third race.  The 700 and Hobbie cleared the fleet but not each other to round together at the end on the first lap, Sallis and Houghton in 3rd and 4th.  The now shorter than normal course meant it was 4 laps for the Hobbie and 700 never too far apart but Sallis took the honours from Highfield in the 700 and Houghton in 3rd.  The later start and course changes meant we called it a day and headed in for a late lunch. 

Spring Results available here.  

Thursday Results also updated here.

Keith and Anna

At last the season started today at Gorleston, with the aptly named ‘Start of season’ trophy.  Conditions could not have been better with sunshine all day and a F2 wind to start with but increasing throughout the day.  With the assistance of a flooding tide upwind legs were relatively short meaning plenty of time to enjoy the downwind legs. The D-One’s were out in force with Chris kicking of the season with a perfect score.  Dave H.

Full Results Here………..