Category: News

18th May Spring series

It was an overcast start to the day with a chilly F3 from the NE. Eleven boats made their way down onto the beach with PY ranging from 737 to 1154.

The flood tide was still present but was to ease throughout the days sailing with HW around one o’clock.

Race one –  Ed & Rosie, sailing the Spitfire soon took the lead and quickly left the rest of the fleet behind. This proved to be the trend for the rest of the day.

The RS700 and the three 400’s were close together as they made their way up the beat with Solution Paul leading the remaining pack. On the downwind leg to the gate RS700 Adam lead the RS400’s with Dave & John just ahead of Harry & Nathan (sailing the club RS400 for the first time) just behind. A delayed spinny drop for the latter put them back a bit.

The Spitfire eventually lapped the entire fleet with Dave & John next to finish just ahead of Adam.

Race 1 – heading to the windward mark

Race two- By this time the clouds were clearing and there was some warmth in the air. Europe Steve was so focussed on getting a good start that he went off on the one minute signal. It soon become apparent he hadn’t noticed as he continued up the beat alone whilst the rest of the fleet lined up for the start.  When the fleet had started the Spitfire sped off and was soon well ahead. After lap one Dave & John led the rest of the fleet with Adam just behind followed by Phil & Lorna. On lap two Harry & Nathan suffered a broken tiller ending their day early.

After three laps Adam had pulled ahead and just managed to avoid being lapped by the Spitfire, who did lap everyone else.

Race 2 – heading to the windward mark !

Race three- by this time the wind had increased to a F4. A few tired crews decided to retire resulting in a slightly reduced fleet for the final race.  Once again the cat got away. Contender Phil led the fleet to the windward mark with Dave & John moving ahead on the downwind leg to the leeward gate which provided some excellent planing conditions for the asymmetrics. On lap two Ed & Rosie had a close encounter with the RS700 requiring a hasty avoiding manoeuvre which resulted on a capsize and the end their race.

On corrected time the Europe and Solution enjoyed a one two in race one, just four seconds apart and the Spitfire third. In race two the Spitfire took a clear win ahead of Solution Paul with Dave & John third. In the final race Steve made up for his misdemeanour in race two with another win, again just beating the Solution with Dave & John third.

On returning to shore Lorna & Sarah announced that they had prepared some  ‘Chief Browns’ pies  which were quickly claimed by the now hungry crews.  

Thanks to Tom, Nick & Carl, our race team for the day, everyone had a great days sailing, although it’s fair to say most were feeling the effects of three hard races.

Full results are on the club web site

Spring Series

Kevin was busy ashore taking photos which are on the club Flickr site

GYGSC’s albums | Flickr

Thursday 15th May

Late afternoon and the wind was still a good F4 from the north. The combination of the predicted one metre waves and LW were creating quite a surf, making the prospect of any sailing iffy.

However, as often the case as the evening draws in conditions calm down, the wind easing to F3 and with a near slack tide and the usual enthusiasm from Phil slowly spreading amongst the less so, we decide to launch.

RS700 Adam and Laser Kyle benefitted from the best start in race one.  At the windward mark Laser Dave and Kyle first. The choice of which end to round at the leeward gate proved crucial, with the pin end proving to be the best option, allowing Dave to open a small lead.

It was a touch of déjà vu for Ed as he was reunited with his old Laser which is now a club laser

Richard makes good progress using his ‘Storm’ sail which appears to be a more sensible and safer option for windier outings

However, it wasn’t all plain sailing with a couple of capsizes during the evening

Race two, Dave and Kyle making the most of the start and taking a short lived lead up the beat. With the tide now flooding the beat suited the two trapezing boats.

Trapezing versus hiking.

Adam leads race two. However, a slight spinnaker indiscretion at the leeward gate proved costly leaving Dave just ahead of Contender Jamie and Kyle

Many thanks to Phil and Lorna for what turned out to be a lovely evenings sail and to Michael and Phil A who were a welcome sight as we returned to shore organising trolleys and helping to pull boats and RIB back up the beach, beers will be delivered to the club for next week !

Full results are on the club web site

Thursday Evenings series

The Race team took a few pictures which are on the club Flickr site

GYGSC’s albums | Flickr

Thursday 8th May

There was a healthy F4 blowing from the north and despite a mainly clear sky it was quite chilly.  Three helms decided to spectate, drink coffee and offer their services as ‘trolley dollies’ for the evening. This left a slightly depleted fleet made up of six different classes ranging from a Europe to a RS700.

Racing started around HW so little tide to consider. Europe Steve and Solution Richard led the fleet in race one with Steve crossing the line a few seconds ahead to take both line honours and the win on corrected time. Vareo Richard led the rest of the fleet which suffered a few capsizes and gear issues with both Laser Chris and Contender Jamie opting for an early return to shore. Adam was doing an admirable job taming the RS700.

Picture- race one winner Steve

In race two it was Steve’s turn to have boat issues which greatly impacted his race. This left Solution Richard clear ahead of Vareo Richard. The RS700 finally got the better of Adam resulting in a lengthy capsize. It was a Richard one two, with the Solution beating the Vareo and Adam earning a well deserved third.

Picture- Race two- The ‘Richards’ in action

Thanks to the race team of ‘Team Ed’, who were kept busy most of the evening which maybe helped them to forget how cold they were

Full results are on the club web site

Thursday Evenings series

Thursday night sailing begins

Inland the temperature was approaching 30 degrees but at Gorleston it was a more typical for the year, 19. However, the sun was out and a warm F3 from the south greeted the early birds arriving at the club for the start of the Thursday evening series.

Phil A was contemplating as to whether to rig his usual vessel of choice but was persuaded to opt for a club Laser instead. Having persuaded Phil in this direction Dave felt duty bound to do so as well, so both club Lasers would be racing.

Picture-Let the sailing begin

By the time race one was underway the wind had dropped to a F2. The ebb tide was still just present with LW around 19.00.  Laser Phil was just a bit too eager at the start and found himself the wrong side of the line, and quite a bit over the line it has to be said !  Phantom Phil led the fleet up the beat rounding the mark just ahead of Adam, swapping his manageable Streaker for his less manageable RS700.

Picture- Start 1

Laser Chris managed one lap before his traveller fairlead broke, forcing an early return to shore. On the second beat Laser Kyle overtook both Adam and Laser Dave.  Phantom Phil stretched out his lead crossing the line a minute and a half ahead of Kyle.

Picture-heading upwind

The F2 wind just about stayed with us for race two. Laser Dave lead the fleet up the beat and was just ahead of Phantom Phil after lap one. Up the second beat Phil judged the line to the mark perfectly,  overtaking Dave in doing so and remained ahead to the finish. Dave crossed in second place although Kyle had closed the gap slightly on the final lap. Vareo Adrian found the fast mode on the final lap putting in the quickest lap of the race.

Picture-Start 2

On corrected time, Kyle took race one with Dave just edging out Phil for second place. The first two positions were reversed in race two with Adrian third, one second ahead of Phil.

Thanks to Richard and Ed, our race team for the evening. And a big thanks to Hugh, who kindly offered his invaluable assistance in pulling the rescue boat back up the beach ….. in the form of his quad bike..

Full results are on the club web site

Thursday Evenings series

27th April Spring series

The second outing of the season was more like summer than Spring as the area enjoyed a pro-longed spell of good weather. A good turnout of RS400’s made up for the small turnout from the rest of the classes.

The race team set a reasonably sized windward leeward course and given the light F2 from the east it proved to be just right.

Rounding the windward and spacer marks

Race one saw both Dave & John and Richard & Jamie early at the start leaving Steve, sailing his Unit and Adam & Jordan leading the fleet up the windward leg. After lap one Dave & John and Richard & Jamie had recovered and had a small lead on the others with just five seconds separating the next three boats led by Phil & Lorna. After three laps Dave & John crossed the line just ahead of Richard & Jamie with Steve just holding off Adam & Jordan.

Richard & Jamie nail the start

Race two saw a little more wind. Richard & Jamie nailed the start to lead after lap one closely followed by Adam & Jordan and Dave & John. After three laps of nip and tuck sailing Dave & John crossed the line a few seconds ahead of Richard & Jamie.

RS400’s round the windward mark

Race three, wind now eased a tad. Dave & John led after lap one. Close behind were Richard & Jamie with Adam & Jordan and Steve rounding the leeward gate together. These positions remained unchanged to the line although Adam & Jordan managed to open up a minute gap on Steve.

And back to the leeward gate

On corrected time Dave & John won all three races. Steve pipped Richard & Jamie for second in race one however, they were second in the next two races.

Many thanks to the race team for a very pleasant day on the water. Next week’s forecast is for more wind but the temperature expected to drop to lower teens, back to more typically weather. 

Full results are on the club web site

Spring Series

Pictures on Flickr

Dave & John

Start of Season

There were many early arrivals keen to get back onto the sea for the Start of Season event. A chilly breeze from the NE made for a cold start to the day but the sun was out and it did get warmer as the day progressed.  Sailing was delayed a tad when the Race Team had to turn their hands to outboard mechanics following a dodgy battery connection on one of the RIB’s.

Getting ready to launch

Eight crews made ready to race with two RS400’s and the rest singlehanders. With high water around 14.00 the tide was flooding during all three races and the wind averaging around F2 from the NE, or thereabouts. The race team set a windward – leeward course with a spacer at the windward mark. A long start line allowed room for all with the fleet spread along the entire length at the start. Once away most boats kept inshore hugging the shore to avoid the tide, although there were several light patches. Two boats risked the tide and ventured out looking for more wind which proved not to be the fastest route

Start 1

Rounding the windward mark required good judgement as the tide was strong and many had to do extra late tacks to get round. Phantom Nick led after lap one with the two 400’s hot on his heels. Heading back to the windward mark Phil and Lorna hooked onto a good lift near the mark and momentarily took the lead but Phil and Roger managed to sneak in at the mark. These two then has a close tussle down to the leeward mark, with Phil and Roger eventually taking line honours thirty seconds ahead.

RS400’s head towards the leeward gate

After a quick tweak of the course as the wind had shifted a tad race two got underway. Nicks racing came to an end when his tiller snapped. Phil and Lorna almost completed two laps before heading for shore as they had a grandchild’s birthday party to attend in the afternoon.  This left Phil and Roger well ahead of the remaining fleet.   After lap one Vareo Dave held a small lead over Laser Harry and Solution Paul with Contender Phil and Vareo Richard a short way behind. The fleet were split as to which end of the leeward gate to head for with most of the singlehanders opting for the committee boat, which appeared to pay.  Dave held on to lead the group across the line with Paul just behind and Phil putting in a late spurt finishing next.

Race 2 start

With the tide now easing race three got underway.  Phil and Roger shot off opening up a good lead and sailed an extra lap, again. Racing amongst the rest of the fleet was close with a few seconds separating the leading four after lap one. At the line Dave led Paul with Phil and Richard a minute behind. 

View from the cliffs

On corrected time Dave won race one with Nick second and Roger & Phil third. However, Phil & Roger made good in the next two winning both and with it the SOS trophy. Dave was second in both with Harry third in race two and Paul third in the race three.

Many thanks to the race team for excellent course and multiple mark relaying to ensue it stayed that way.

Full results are on the club web site

SOS Results

Pictures on Flickr

Phil & Roger win the SOS trophy

13th October End of season

As if we needed any reminding that it was the ‘End Of Season’ event, there was a wintery chill in the air at Gorleston on sunday. There was an offshore F3 wind with the forecast suggesting it would gradually ease throughout the day. The sea state looked a little ‘lumpy’ and launching required the now well rehearsed teamwork in order to get everyone underway. Seven boats rigged, all single handers. Thanks to Phil who helped everyone to launch and having rigged his Phantom then decided to undertake some velocipeding !

With low water timed for 12.45 the tide would be ebbing for most of the racing.

Race 1- The well balanced line saw boats starting at both ends. Contender Jamie and Laser Carl opting for the port end. There was quite a tussle for the starboard end which saw two boats hitting the mark.  Jamie and Carl headed straight inshore, the others stayed offshore using the stronger tide. However, it was Jamie and Carl who rounded the windward mark clear ahead picking up a nice lift as they tacked across to the mark. After two laps Jamie led with Carl in second and Solution Paul leading the rest. On the final lap it was Carl who took line honours with Paul second and Laser Dave third.

Race 2 – with a similar starting pattern to race one but this time everyone got clean away. The shifty offshore wind saw more tacking to the windward mark. Paul managed this well and held twenty second lead after lap one, followed by Vareo Richard and Carl. After lap two Paul had opened up his lead with Dave now second with Richard third. On the final lap Paul took line honours with Dave five seconds behind and Richard just holding off Jamie

Race 3- Despite the chill, everyone was enjoying the close racing and opted for a third race. Jamie held a small lead after lap one with twenty seconds separating the rest of the fleet. The two Lasers took the lead after lap two with Dave just ahead of Carl with Vareo Richard next. On the final lap Dave managed to open up a small gap to take line honours. It was a very close finish for the next four boats with just ten seconds between them, Vareo Richard finishing second followed by Carl, one second ahead of Paul.

Many thanks to the race team, Richard and Rosie, for a great days sailing, excellent course and close racing. A lovely way to end the season.

Once safely ashore Chef Brown served up piping hot butchers pies which were soon eaten by the grateful recipients.

On corrected time there were three different winners with Carl taking race one, Paul the second and Dave the third. Once the numbers were ‘crunched’ there was one point between the top three. Congratulations to Paul who wins the EOS trophy on count back, and also clinched the Autumn series in the process.

Interestingly, each of the three Sunday series, Spring, Summer & Autumn and the Thursday evening series has a different winner. This shows the spread in the talent we have in our little club.

Full results are on the club web site

Autumn series results

EOS results

Pictures on Flickr

Paul wins the EOS trophy

Well that’s it for the year, at least on the water. Please note the following dates for onshore activities !

19th Oct -Work Party,  clubhouse @ 10.00 am

8th Nov – Prize giving Dinner,  Pier Hotel @ 7.30pm

11th Nov –  AGM,  clubhouse @ 7.30 pm

GYGSC’s very own ‘Butch Cassidy’.

29th September Autumn series

It’s beginning to feel like Autumn with the temperature just in double figures. With the forecast predicting some strong winds mid afternoon everyone was keen to get on the water promptly in order to complete the days racing before it arrived. One problem….there was no wind. Reluctantly we waited a short while and eventually a light breeze filled in resulting in one of the quickest launches of RIB’s and dinghies ever.

Where is the wind

The RS400 teams kindly helped the single handers to launch so they were the last in. By the time they reached the start line the wind had picked up considerably and the sea state had upped a few levels resulting in some full on conditions.

Eleven boats started race one, after two laps six had retired!  Phantom Nick took an early lead, closely followed by Phil & Roger in the club RS400. These two managed to open up a good lead, completing an extra lap to the others. Solution Paul led the remaining pack.

A much reduced fleet for race two.  Curtis managed to tame the RS700, leading after lap one just ahead of Nick with the RS400 and Solution in hot pursuit and Laser Carl not far behind. On lap two Nick had snuck ahead but the RS700 and RS400 were close behind. On lap three they were separated by less than twenty seconds and again at the finish line.

Curtis manages to tame the RS700

On corrected time Nick had two bullets with Paul finishing the day with two seconds. With just two weeks left in the season Paul leads the Autumn series with Nick and Dave & John three points behind.

Big thanks to the race team who must have felt the chill while sitting around watching the racing. Once ashore Chef Brown and Sous Chef Ollington served up a much welcome hot meal.

Full results are on the club web site

Autumn series results

Pictures on Flickr

Nick wins both races today

22nd September Autumn series

Despite being just over halfway through the Autumn series the weather was as good as many days during the Summer series. A reasonably steady F2-3 from the east made for a pleasant days sailing.  There was quite a mix of classes ranging from a RS700 to a Solution.

With HW at 13.00 there was still some flood tide at the start of race one and a flat sea. Curtis (RS700) and Dave & John (RS400) led after lap one with Phantom Nick and Solution Paul close behind. Following a slow first lap Contender Phil managed to pick up time on the next three, almost catching Nick. Vareo Richard and Phil & Lorna managed to find a big light patch on lap one putting them on the back foot early in the race. After four laps Dave & John crossed the line just ahead of Curtis with Nick third.

Race two – by now there was very little flood tide inshore but still noticeable offshore.  The wind eased a little during the race resulting in the longest race of the day. Curtis took an early lead and was looking good with a big lead until lap three when he missed the trapeze hook resulting in a swim. Dave & John took line honours with Nick not far behind. Paul and Phil had a close race with the former crossing the line two seconds ahead.

Race three- by this time the tide had started to turn, the sea state lumpy and the wind up to F3, allowing some opportunities to plane off wind for the asymmetrics. Curtis led from start to finish. Dave & John slowly opened up a good lead of the rest of the fleet which was led by Nick. After lap one Phil, Paul and Richard rounded the leeward gate within a few seconds. Phil then managed to open up a small lead on Paul.

On corrected time Paul and his Solution proved quick, winning the first two races and almost making it a clean sweep but Dave & John won the final race by just six seconds. Nick enjoyed three podium places with a second and two thirds. Vareo Richard proved to be the most consistent finishing fourth in all three races.

Many thanks to the Race team for organising unseasonably good weather and good courses, providing a great day on the water.

Full results are on the club web site

Autumn series results

Pictures on Flickr

Paul and Dave & John, todays race winners

15th September – Autumn series

A warm sunny start to the day and it was great to be back on the water after last week’s ‘surfing’ conditions. With LW at 14.00 all racing would be in the ebb tide. In full flow in race one but gradually eased with little tide by the end of racing.

F2 wind, gusting F3 from the SW to begin but shifting to WSW at times, lots of shifts throughout the day providing testing conditions which saw many gains and losses.

Lovely sunny start to the day although it did cloud over by the time we returned to shore.

Race One – Ed, sailing his A-Class soon led the fleet opening up a big lead, in fact after two laps he started lapping the fleet. Things were a bit closer for the rest of the fleet with Dave & John (RS400) leading after lap one, just ahead of Phantom Nick and Contender Phil. On the second beat Dave & John hooked onto a couple of good lifts opening up a three minute plus lead which they extended on lap three. After lap two Phil led Nick by over a minute, only to fall victim of the shifts on the final lap with Nick crossing the line two minutes ahead.

Pre-start milling and ‘we’re off’.

Race two – the wind eased during the race and at times nearer a F1, but still just as shifty, perhaps more so. Ed again did another horizon job and proceeded to lap half the fleet. There were many place changes on the first beat, with some big gains and losses. Phil played the shifts well and led after lap one, two seconds ahead of Dave & John, with Nick just ahead of Phil & Lorna and James. The second beat wasn’t so kind to Phil with both Dave & John and Nick sneaking past. Positions remained unchanged on the final lap.

Race three. Let’s just say Ed had another lonely race out in front. By his stage most were working the left hand side of the beat where the wind appeared to be more favourable. Dave & John held a small lead over a tightly packed fleet after lap one, with eight seconds separating the main pack led by OK James. After three laps Phil had crept ahead of James, crossing the line nearly two minutes ahead.

Fast ‘Eddy’ enjoying the cat friendly conditions.

On corrected time Dave & John had a comfortable win in race one with James second. James then won the next two races, beating Nick by under a minute in race two and a comfortable win over Dave & John in the final race.

Many thanks to Darell and Curtis who volunteered at late notice to assist Richard on line duty. Between them we enjoyed a good day on the water with shifty, testing conditions.

Full results are on the club web site

Autumn series results

Pictures on Flickr

Dave & John and James, todays race winners