There was a chilly ENE F3 breeze on the first Thursday evenings sail. Seven boats launched including new members Rob & Tom in their Xenon. We were lucky enough to have a few sunny periods but the evening finished with grey skies and a noticeable drop in temperature.
The race team managed to squeeze in two races sailed over Windward –Leeward courses.
Thursday evening racing commences
In race one Richard & Ed, aka Team Brown raced ahead in their RS400 finishing just ahead of Curtis I his RS700. Behind a trio of Lasers and a Solution vied for next place with Dave leading at the finish.
Heading to the windward mark
Race 2 and Curtis managed to get clear ahead at the start and led throughout the race hotly pursued by Team Brown. Behind Dave led the others closely followed by Mark in a Club Laser.
Many thanks to the race team for a great evenings sailing but please turn the thermostat up next week.
Another chilly day on the water for the race team, although we did have some sunny periods and the wind was stronger than the light winds forecast making for a good days sailing, plus it kept dry! Twelve boats ventured out with the predominant trend towards singlehanders continuing. The racing was close all day with a different winner in each race.
Lining up for Race 1
The wind did it’s now customary big shift as we started race one, shifting from the North to NE. This made for a rather one sided beat. Phil led the fleet to the windward mark in his RS700. However, as he approached the wind faded and shifted back for a short while allowing Dave and John to nip pass in their RS400, closely followed by Richard Fryer in his RS300 and Nick in his Phantom. With the race team shortening the race it was a quick reach to the finish line. Eight seconds separated the top three with the order reversed on corrected time and Nick claiming top spot just ahead of Richard.
Most peoples view of Phil !
Once the race team moved the windward mark race two got underway. Phil made big gains on the long beats into the tide and opened up a big lead, eventually lapping most of the fleet. Keith (Laser) and David (Solution) had a race long tussle with Keith leading for the first two laps but David overtaking on the final lap but unable to open the gap enough to save his handicap. Phil claimed the win with Dave & John second
Lining up for Race 3
Richard & Ed (RS400) nailed the start in race three taking an early lead although Phil soon powered pass to sail another lonely race out front. Behind a three way battle between two RS400’s and Curtis in his RS700. Dave & John eventually opening up a gap and Team Brown finishing just ahead of Curtis. Behind them, Steve (D-One), Contender Phil, Richard and Nick were batting for position…. but Steve was only short distance behind in his Europe. Contender Phil managed to cross the line ahead of the group but Steve earned the win on corrected time just pipping Phil.
Thanks to the race team for a great days sailing even if it was a bit chilly !
In contrast to last week the day started with dark grey skies and a chilly NE’erly F3-4 wind with temperatures in single figures.
The tide had just started to ebb for the first race. Phil, sailing his RS700 bravely started on port but timing is everything and he just crossed the fleet and soon opened up a good lead on the others and was awarded a bonus lap’. The fleet split up the first windward leg with neither side showing a clear advantage at this point. On lap two it started to drizzle, thankfully this was short lived. ‘El Commode’ in his Phantom led the RS400 of Team Brown for the first lap, this was reversed on the second lap and again on the final lap with the Phantom crossing the line first after a delayed spinnaker drop in the RS400! On corrected time Steve, in his smart new Europe claimed honours by a few seconds from El Commode.
Not many people using their beach huts !
Just before the start of race two the wind eased and swung to the East resulting in a one side beat. Curtis, sailing the club Phantom, timed the start best to take an early lead. With the wind stabilising from the East the race team shortened the race to one lap. With the tide now picking up the long run back to the finish favoured the spinnaker boats and Team Brown leading the fleet to claim both line honours and the win on corrected time, just beating Curtis.
Lining up for the start
The change of wind direction brought with it a change in conditions with the cloud clearing and the temperature noticeably warmer, although the wind had eased to a F2. Once the race team have moved the windward mark race three got underway. With the tide now in full flow most of the fleet ventured offshore up the beat. After the first lap the Phil (RS700), Team Brown (RS400) and El Commode had opened up a good lead on the rest of the fleet. Behind, the Europe, David in his Solution and Phil sailing his Contender had a race long battle with just a few seconds between them. Team Brown were enjoying the conditions taking another win, beating the Phantom of El Commode..
David times the start to perfection
By popular demand it was decided to have another race. David, sailing his Solution got his best start of the day crossing the line first and leading for a short while. However, the wind dropped just after the first lap resulting in long downwind legs against the tide. Steve managed to keep the Europe going and was never far behind and recorded a clear win on corrected time, with El Commode claiming another second.
Blue skies and a F2 Northerly breeze welcomed us back to the club for the Start of Season races.
It was great to be back, the council had kindly flattened the beach although the sand near the water line was still quite soft.
The race team set a nice sized Windward –Leeward course with a beat into the tide.
Phil quickly adapted to the RS700 having been sailing the family Streaker during the winter and soon opened up a good lead on the rest of the fleet to win by over two minutes.
Phil enjoying the conditions during the SOS races
The RS400’s of Team Brown and Dave & John enjoyed a race long battle with just a few seconds between them and the lead changing on just about every leg.
Solutions upwind – lean out Adrian !
Adrian, sailing the Club Solution managed to give the other Solution, sailed by David some competition for the first two laps but David managed to break free on the final lap.
The wind had picked up a tad for the second race with a hint of East in it. Phil did a similar job but this time managing to win by over three minutes on corrected time.
Team Brown and Phil & Lorna fight it out.
Team Brown and Phil & Lorna had a close race until the final lap when Team Brown opened up a small lead. Dave & John suffered a broken Tiller Extn UJ forcing them to retire.
In the singlehanders David led the Laser of Keith by a small margin after the first two laps after which David slowly pulled ahead.
Congratulations top Phil for an emphatic win of the SOS Trophy
Big thank you to the Race team for organising some great weather and racing
Sunday sees the start of the sailing activities and we hope to see lots of you down at the club.
A few reminders for all members
Covid Registration – Please note that any member visiting any of the facilities including just visiting the dinghy park must register their visit either online or on the NHS App – Q code in the clubhouse. This is compulsory for sailors, SUPs and swimmers to comply with government regs
The changing rooms are now open with a maximum of 5 people inside at any one time.
Unfortunately we cannot operate the kitchen at present though we can access cold drinks and we hope to arrange some snacks that do not involve cutlery and plates for after sailing. No one should be using the kitchen to make coffees etc.
Club boats are ready for the season. We have two lasers, and a Phantom definitely available and hopefully by Sunday a Solution. Register interest on the Whats App group and first come first served or email info@gygsc.co.uk .
The start of the season is almost here along with the usual ritual of ramp laying. The new club card has been published, please check your duties and remember to find a swap if you cannot make the date.
There will be a work party on Saturday 10 April at 10am Bring your spades.
The sailing starts on Sunday 18 April so put it in your diary.
The booking system for club boats has been changed. Anyone wanting to hire a boat must email info@gysc.co.uk Full details of boats and prices are on the club website. The club has purchased a newer Laser(gifted to the Club) and a Solution over the winter. It is intended that the worst of our existing lasers will either be retired for spares or sold so that we have a Phantom, two Lasers and a Solution available for hire. As the RS 400 has restricted use until social distancing is relaxed, the committee decided to store it and review later in the season.
Club facilities will be initially quite restricted. Please be mindful of the Government Spring guidelines. The loos will be available but not the changing rooms nor refreshments. We will be following the RYA roadmap – see here RYA Roadmap We should be back nearer to normal in mid May.
There was a light NW’erly wind and smooth sea conditions for the eleven boats which took to the water for the final outing of the season. However, as the fleet approached the windward mark the wind decreased. Phil led the fleet round the mark in his RS700 followed by Nick in his Phantom. Richard Fryer sailed his RS300 into the lead by the leeward gate just ahead of Nick, with Steve in his Europe leading the rest of the fleet.
Race one – could do with more light !
Thankfully the wind began to pick during lap two. Richard and Nick opened up a two minute lead on the fleet with Richard crossing the line five seconds ahead on Nick. Steve managed to hold onto his third place on the water and had a comfortable win on corrected time with Nick second. There was some close racing between the Lasers and Solution with Richard Brown leading at the line and claiming joint third position with Richard Fryer.
Close encounters at the start of race 2
By the start of race two conditions had improved, the wind had filled in again and it had brightened up somewhat. Nick won the start just ahead of Richard Fryer. After the first lap Richard had edged ahead of Nick followed by Phil and Adrian in his D-One. The rest of the fleet were closely bunched with Steve just ahead rounding the leeward gate. After lap two the leading three boats had opened up a clear gap on the chasing pack where there was several place changes. Richard Foster enjoying a good lap and managing to slip ahead of Adrian.
On lap three Richard Fryer managed to open up a clear lead on Nick and Phil. With these three well ahead of the others they were rewarded with an extra lap. After the final lap there was only a few seconds between the ‘pack’ with Richard Foster crossing the line just four seconds ahead of Phil Allison who was testing the club Phantom. Four seconds behind was Steve followed by Richard Brown. On corrected time the RS300 had a good win, Nick second and Steve third.
Race three – the fleet split up the first beat
With the wind shifting a tad to the North during the final stages of the previous race the race team shifted the course accordingly. The wind by now had improved to a force 3 providing lovely conditions for the final race. This suited Phil in his RS700 as he lead from start to finish, lapping in about seven minutes and lapping most of the fleet. Richard and Nick continued their battle for second with Richard Brown close behind them after the first lap. After the third lap Phil had almost caught up with the fleet and Richard had pulled clear ahead of Nick. In the ‘pack’ things were much closer with Richard Brown just ahead of Adrian closely followed by Phil Allison and Richard Foster. First across the line was the RS300, followed by Nick. Five minutes later Adrian led the pack followed by the RS700 (after an extra lap) with Phil Allison overtaking Richard.
On corrected time Richard Fryer had a good win, the ever consistent Nick claimed another second place and Steve had keep close enough to the pack to claim another third.
Another big thanks goes to ‘Team Commodore’ for ensuring yet another enjoyable days racing.
I need a bigger boat !
With two race wins Richard Fryer claims the End of Season Trophy with Steve and Nick equal on four points with Steve claiming second courtesy of a win in the first race
And with points added to the Autumn series in first place is Nick, Steve second with Mark Porter and Richard Foster equal on 17 points with Mark taking third thanks to two race wins compared to Richards one.
It was good to get back on the water after missing a couple of weeks due to the strong winds. And with the forecast earlier in the week predicting 20+ mph winds it was nice to start the day with light winds and bright sunshine.
Nice to get back on the water
In race one the RS700’s led the fleet round the windward mark with Curtis ahead of Phil, a sure sign that Curtis was getting the feel of the boat. However, Phil managed to take the lead on the way back to the leeward gate. Nick, back in his Phantom headed the rest of the fleet.
RS700’s battle for for lead
Conditions were constantly changing during the race with the wind strength changing constantly and a mixture and sunshine and periods of rain. After three laps Phil and Nick had pulled clear ahead of the others and were rewarded with an additional lap!
On corrected time Nick had kept the Phantom close enough to Phil to take first, Phil second and David, sailing his Solution in third.
Good mixture of sun and rain during the day
The RS700’s were again leading at the windward mark in race two but this time Phil was just ahead of Curtis followed by Nick and Tom & Will in their 505. On lap two Phil slipped clear ahead eventually crossing the line over a minute ahead of Nick. The wind was still changeable with several gusts to test everyone’s concentration. On the final lap Curtis and Dave caught a belter resulting in some synchronised capsizing. Pawal was flying at times in his Sprint and felt he must have broken his own speed record.
Once again many thanks to Phil and Lorna for running the days activities.
Next week will be the final sail of what has been a strange season for everyone. The forecast is looking good with a very manageable F3 from the south. The series is currently led by Mark and Richard in Lasers with a Solution, Contender, 505 and D-One just a few points behind so all to play for plus the EOS trophy.
With the Beach Regatta being rescheduled to last week this was the first instalment of the Autumn series. However, with a full day of sunshine and the temperature reaching the mid-twenties it felt more like summer. Nine boats ventured out onto a smooth North Sea with a SW’erly F3.
Curtis, sailing his RS700 led the fleet from start to finish in race one. Close behind were the Contender and D-One of Phil and Steve who were separated by only a few seconds the whole race with Phil ahead at the finish line. Further back were the Lasers and Solution, Richard was the leading Laser with Mark in a club Laser second. These two were well ahead of the others at the finish with Richard claiming first on corrected time and Mark second.
In race two Steve led the fleet after the first lap just ahead of Curtis and Phil. Keith led the Lasers with Mark just 6 seconds behind. After lap two Phil had closed the gap on Steve with Curtis deciding to participate in some alternative water sports delaying his progress somewhat. Mark hooked up to a good lift approaching the windward mark to sneak in front of Keith to earn a win on corrected time by just 7 seconds over Phil with Steve just a few seconds behind in third.
One of the boats had decided to cruise rather than race. Enjoying the near perfect catamaran conditions Pawal, sailing his Sprint 15 decided to head down to Hopton. When the race team had lost sight of him they radioed to check his position only to hear him reply he had reached Gulliver and was now on his way back!
There was barely a trace of the ebb tide left by the start of the final race. The fleet were split on the beat up to the windward mark. Mark and David (Solution) took the far right path which paid handsomely as they rounded the windward mark amongst the ‘fast three’. After the first lap Steve had pulled ahead with Mark holding on the second position. On the final lap Steve and Phil opened up a good lead with Steve crossing the line first. Phil looked destined to cross second but only a few metres from the line managed a death roll allowing Mark to cross second and David third. It was another good race the for ‘slow fleet’ with Mark first on corrected time, David second and Richard third.
