After a lovely week of sunshine and temperatures in the mid twenties it was all change for the weekend of the Beach Regatta, with mainly overcast skies and temperatures struggling to reach the mid teens. However, the now northerly wind played ball and provided two days of great sailing.
The wind gradually increased throughout the day ranging from a F2 to F4, occasionally there was a bit of sunshine but that was quite limited. The ebb tide made easy work of the beats and provided long off wind legs, much to the enjoyment by the asymmetric boats.
The RS400’s usually led the fleet but never quite far enough to hold their handicaps. The Phantoms were always close by with Nick Crickmore in his Vareo keeping close enough to mix it in the results. However, the day’s racing results were dominated by Richard Smith from WOBYC in his Laser Radial, who convincingly won all three races,
The closest racing of the day was between the two Phantoms of visitor Gary Fuller and Club Commodore Nick Favell, with never much of a gap between them, Gary winning in race one. In race two they approached the finish line neck and neck, with Nick just winning. As the wind increased in the final race Nick had the edge to lead over the line.
Phil Alison got his Contender in gear in race two leading at the windward mark and finishing second over the water behind the RS400 of Dave & John. The increase in wind clearly more suited to both Phil and the Contender as he continued his good form in the third race.
Once ashore Chef Brown prepared the wood fired Barbie and delivered a super meal for the many weary sailors. This was followed by a huge selection of cakes kindly prepared by several club members including the club commodore, whose Lemon Drizzle cake proved very popular. Obviously a man of hidden talents.
Sundays forecast of lighter winds wasn’t entirely accurate as it was more or less the same as Saturdays, only with the tide flooding.
Most of the fleet kept inshore on the beats. Judging when to head offshore for the windward mark proved crucial as too early involved an extra beat (or two!) into the strong flood tide.
Two more visitors joined us for the day and with Richard unable to attend, preceded to stamp their authority on the day’s racing. Sharing the top two places in races one and two, Simon Beckett, sailing a Laser Radial taking the first race with Richard Bailey & Ian Curtis, in a Wayfarer the second race.
Richard & Angus, sailing a RS400 also joined in for the day to provide additional competition for the other RS400’s. In all three races there was little between the three leading boats with Dave & John just heading the pack.
In the final race of the day Simon and Steve, sailing his Europe were neck and neck after the first lap with Simon nudging ahead by the finishing line to take another race win with Steve second.
With some only able to sail one day unsurprisingly, overall honours were to go to those who attended both days. Three different classes taking the podium places with club commodore Nick Favell (Phantom) taking top spot, one point ahead of Dave & John (RS400) with Nick Crickmore (RS Vareo) third.
Full results on the club website
http://www.gygsc.org.uk/Results/2022/2022Beach.htm
Many thanks for all who helped organise and assisted in the event, both off and on the water. Two days of splendid sailing and a cracking BBQ in the middle.
Despite the race team being kept busy as there were a few capsizes to deal with, they managed to take several photos which are on the club Flickr site.
Pictures – GYGSC’s albums | Flickr
