Steve Whitby

Despite there having been people surfing on the beach in the afternoon, Thursday evening went ahead with an enthusistic 8 boats launching including one visiting Firefly sailed by Nick and Hayley.

Trevor the Tractor was back on point after some previous oil seal issues and the boats set off down the bay to the startline. There were some nice waves and no shortage of wind, the tide was fully out so no real tidal flow.

Izzy and Steve preparing for Start 1 in the National 12

Race 1 saw a predictable early lead on the water for Abby in the RS700, but back in pack it was close between the National 12 and visiting Firefly and likewise amongst the singlehanders. A capsize in the gybe on lap 2 saw the end of Izzy and Steve’s strong showing in the N12 though on corrected time they hung on to second two minutes behind Nick and Hayley. Richard Foster was setting up for a successful evening in third.

Izzy and Steve enjoying the North Sea at the gybe mark 2 laps later!

Race 2 saw much of the same in terms of results, but with Phil Allison claiming third place. By now the tide was running with the fleet splitting to either run insure and dodge the tide, or stay out and enjoy the nice waves and more predictable wind.

Race 3 and Richard, sailing his Laser Radial, showed that the inshore really was really paying now that the tide was in full flood, winning by almost half a minute on a one-lap race just 10 minutes long!

Hotdogs beckoned back at the club house, with the evening’s clear winners being Nick and Hayley – they were visiting in preparation for the upcoming Firefly Nationals at Tenby – we wish them the best of sailing.

Thanks to Richard and Ed for race duties and hotdogs 🙂

The first of the long-distance races for 2026 saw a somewhat gusty offshore breeze, some sunshine and plenty of time for competitors to settle into those long race legs.

Race Office Phil set a very short beat to get boats off the line, then it was a long close-reach up to the “Hopton” turning mark (possibly nearer to Corton than Hopton, according to some!). The RS700 went for a port-hand start, but we were already two boats down after Team Ed had a problem with a rudder on the Cat and Team Harlow decided better of the somewhat gusty conditions.

At the first mark several asymetrics went for an early kite hoist, but quickly thought better of it and it was a reasonably bunched-up pack at the Hopton turning mark. The next was a good leg for the asymetrics though, with the D-One managing to fly the kite the whole way back to the leeward gate. Not so much fun for the Contender and National 12 with only occasional planing/surfing to help combat the strong Southerly tide.

Race winner Nick enjoying conditions in the D-ONE

Lap 2 saw a fresher, more consistent breeze. Much more surfing and planing saw the National 12 lap a full 10 minutes quicker on lap 2, but the performance from the asymetrics was unassailable and final results were a win for Nick in the D-One, followed by Abby in the RS700 and Richard in the Vareo.

A cracking sail, followed by lunch in the sun on the “club terrace”. Huge thanks to the ever-so-patient race and safety team – Paul, Richard, Keith and Phil.

Next Saturday sees the annual Club Open Day, the current forecast if for more of the same weather-wise so it should be fun.