Author: Keith Sykes

Spring Series – 26/04/15

Spring Series – 26/04/15

The day’s proceedings commenced with the club members forming a large circle on the beach for a minutes silence in memory of Peter Johnson. We were joined by the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat who was stationed a short distance off shore which seemed a fitting tribute to a well-loved and much respected club member.  Following this boats were launched to commence the days sailing.

IMG_6243-1

The race team set a large windward leeward course with the F3 -4 from the NNE. For race one the tide was slack so the fleet were spread evenly going up the first beat. Phil in his RS700 and David in his Shadow lead the fleet round the course but close behind were the D-Ones and RS400’s who were having a close battle for position. The Shadow and RS700 managed to open up a two minute gap on the chasing pack but this was not going to be sufficient to save their time.  The following group were closely packed with just 10 seconds separated the first three boats as their crossed the line with the D-One’s of Chris and Ben taken first and second on corrected time and Richard and Carol in their RS400 in third.

By the time race two started the tide had started to flood so many boats stayed inshore up the first beat. Those who ventured just 100 metres or so further out benefited from a good lift which saw the fleet well-spaced as they rounded the windward mark. The RS400’s of Richard/Robyn and Richard/Carol were first to round the mark and had a small led on the rest of the fleet. Nick in his Phantom and Jamie in his Aero were close behind.  At the finish Richard/Carol had managed to slip past to take line honours and Richard/Robyn holding onto second place. Nick managed to save his time against Jamie with D-One Chris on a late charge to pip Jamie in corrected time.

The race team adjusted the line a tad for race three which added some port bias. Richard/Carol braved a port hand flying and thanks for some courteous sailing from Jamie crossed the fleet at the start. With the tide now stronger and the wind a tad lighter, most kept inshore with exception of William/Jack in their Fireball. Having got off to  a poor start they headed offshore and from the committee boat looked as if they were about to go further behind but picked up a good breeze and rounded the windward mark close to the leading pack. David (Shadow) and Phil(RS700) led the fleet round the course but the ever persistent team of Richard/Carol were never far behind and took the race win. Chris again won the battle of the D-One’s taking second with Richard and Robyn continuing their good form to finish third.

All in all a very pleasant day’s sailing with moments of sunshine and a good breeze throughout the day.

Spring Social – A Taste of the East in the East.

Spring Social – A Taste of the East in the East and thoughts from Annie.

Around 20 members and Guests gathered at the club house for a pre-dinner chat and drink, whilst Ed and Robyn slaved away in the kitchen. 

Just before we ate Annie wanted to say a few words which she has asked be relayed to the members who were unable to attend.  “I would like to say that I and Peter’s family are very grateful for the efforts everyone from the Club and emergency services made to give Peter the best possible chance last Sunday, Peter had spent the day doing what he loved and where he was most at home and was cared for by his friends.”

Curry was then served Poppadum’s, pickles, Chicken and / or Prawn Curry, Dhal, Curried Eggs, Rice, Nan bread and a dollop of Rita.  Ed did a tremendous job with most of us heading back for seconds. This was then followed by a loosely themed sailing quiz devised by the Highfield’s. Round 1 (first lap) Name that boat, picture round small sections of boat bows.  

 Here’s the easy one.

Fireball Bow

Round 2 – Nautical questions, eg “what is Ancraophobi?”,(quite fittings given the egg curry). Scores all very close after 2 rounds with team Sallis taking a narrow lead.  Onto desert Robyn’s delicious Apple Crumble and Ice cream, this received a big thumbs up from our youngest guest Ed Brown and all the dinners. Final round “Cats”

Picture round, Can you name them?

Snowball

 I did say “loosely themed”.

This round separated the men from the boys with the boys fairing much better, so just 1 point between all teams and a tie for first. Off the cuff tiebreaker – “What colour in Richard….. Fryers…… RS…… 300?”, Sallis first to line to take the honours for the team, Well D-one Chris and team.

Just to say a massive thanks you to Ed, Robyn, and the Highfield’s for a great evening.

 

Start or Season Report

Start of Season Race and Watling Plate 1 – 18 April 2015

Race officers have been asked to provide a report for the website and in the tragic circumstances of last Sunday and the loss of Peter Johnson, it is a report that is difficult to write. Peter was in good form on the committee boat on a very cold day and on the way back, we agreed that we had managed to give competitors some good courses in spite of a shifty N/NE Force 3-4. He felt that we had done a pretty good job. His collapse after coming ashore was a terrible blow to all who knew him.

As racing had been postponed the previous Sunday, boats were racing in both the first round of the Watling Club and for the Start of Season Race. The three races were run back to back in the Watling Plate format of sausage, triangle and reverse Olympic with the wind getting up well into F4 in the second race. It was windy enough to keep the safety boat busy with Steve Shaw in his Hobie Tiger training up his new crew, Kate Batty by capsizing with and without the kite! Twelve boats got to the line for the start but unfortunately the Fireball was damaged on launching and was not able to compete. There was some very close racing between the top five but in the end the RS500 sailed by Jamie Freeman and Keith Sykes won the first and third races to take the series with two wins from Chris Sallis (3 pts) in his D1 having just edged out Martin Browne D1 (5pts) by 5 seconds in the final race with the third D1 of Ben Falat (7 pts) finishing 4th.

Sometimes the results don’t matter and I think that we all feel that this was one of them.

David Brief

Race Officer

 

Peter Johnson.

It is with great sadness that I am writing to you all this evening.  Unfortunately Peter Johnson died this afternoon. As usual Peter had kindly volunteered to help when numbers were low for the committee boat duty today and shortly after coming ashore suffered from a heart attack. Despite the valiant efforts of club members, St Johns ambulance and the paramedics Peter passed away. It is comforting to know that before passing away Peter had been doing what he enjoyed most which was being on the water.

Peter has been a member of the club for more years than most people can remember. Over these years Peter has contributed massively to the club from volunteering for anything and everything to running Thursday evening racing. He was always a character around the club and will be missed by everyone. The club will not be the same without him.

 

Our thoughts are with Annie and Peter’s family at this difficult time.

EDP Article Here…

Phil Highfield

(commodore)

GYGSC 2014 Agm

The GYGSC AGM will be held at the club on Monday 10th November at 8.00pm. Please see the attached Agenda and minutes from last year’s AGM.

As usual the AGM will be followed by the Sailing Forum which gives everyone the chance to say what they would like to see in next year’s sailing programme how the racing should be run and what changes might be introduced to make the club as successful as possible in 2015.

Do come along if you possibly can. It’s our final get-together of the year!