Category: 2023 Reports

Three races, three different winners

Great sailing conditions today and the race team ensured we had time to enjoy it by setting a good sized windward leeward course. It was nice to see some visitors from WOBYC where the powerboats were doing their thing over the weekend.

Race 1

With little tide the fleet split with those going offshore appearing to gain a small advantage. Ed and guest crew Keith, sailing the Spitfire led the fleet hotly pursued by Steve (D-One) and Adam and Jordon in their RS400, and despite sailing an extra lap to the rest of the fleet it was the slower boats who took the podium places in three different classes,  with James (Laser) winning, Dave (Vareo) second and Steve(Europe) third.

Race 2

Ed & Keith managed a stellar first lap completing it in half the time compared with some. The two 400’s followed split by Phil (Contender), who appeared to have gotten over the trauma of ‘almost’ losing his phone earlier in the day. Steve, having sailed a great first beat putting him ahead of the Lasers and Vareos, took the race win with Ed & Keith second and James third.

Race 3

With the flood tide now evident majority of the fleet stayed inshore up the now long beat. Ed & Keith did another horizon job, Phil revelled in the conditions, leading the rest of the fleet and finishing far enough ahead to claim a race win by 9 seconds over Steve with Ed & Keith third.

Thanks to the race team for a great if not tiring days sailing.

Results are on the club site http://www.gygsc.org.uk/Results/2023/2023Spring.htm

Despite the warmer conditions inland it was quite chilly at Gorleston due to the F3 wind from the NE, but at least the sun was out.

Once again all the fleet were singlehanders and it was nice to see Rob make an appearance with his new toy, a RS Vareo which meant all three club Vareo sailors were present making them the biggest fleet on the water! although overall numbers were depleted as many regulars were missing.

The race team, ‘Team Phil’, set a nice size windward leeward course, LW was forecast for 20.15 so there was still a small ebb tide flowing.

Race One

Richard almost got a port end flyer but decided on caution as two starboard boats approached.

The fleet split on first beat but heading offshore first seemed to pay with Dave rounding the windward mark just ahead of Carl.

Downwind proved great fun with some nice rollers to surf on.

Dave headed the fleet across the line first followed by Carl then Darell (Contender) and Richard and Rob were having a close battle with Richard finishing just ahead

Race Two

Most headed immediately offshore after the start. There was a noticeable lift offshore (or was it just more tide!) as one person over stood the windward mark. After three laps Dave finished just ahead of Carl and Rob finished just ahead of Richard, courtesy of an untimely capsize with spinny just before the line by Richard.

A third race was discussed but general opinion was to head ashore. Thanks to the race team, especially Phil A who having forgot his sail offered to assist.

Many thanks to the onshore team of Nick, Sarah and Lorna for having ‘supper’ ready, sure was generous with the mash!

Results are on the club site http://www.gygsc.org.uk/Results/2023/2023Thursday.htm

Pictures are on Flick https://www.flickr.com/photos/gygsc/albums

Just like last week we were greeted with blue skies and a pleasant F2 onshore wind on arrival. Fortunately, unlike last week sea mist did not roll in an hour before sailing was due to start!

A mixture of single handers rigged comprising of six different classes, and a rare occasion with no Lasers being present. Phil H was sailing his newly acquired Phantom and despite attempts to persuade Michael to take a club Laser he was keen to try out the family Topper. On the water the ESE F2 felt a lot cooler than it did in Norwich! 

Race 1

Adrian (D-One) and Richard F (Vareo ) made the best start and headed offshore. Everyone else followed other than Richard B (Solution) who opted to stay inshore. As the fleet converged at the windward mark the two asymmetrics were still leading with the rest not far behind.

On lap two Richard F took the lead with Phil H also slipping past Adrian. Phil A maintained his short lead over Darell in the battle of the Contenders. Richard F maintained his lead on the final lap crossing the line first with Phil H just head of Adrian and Richard B holding off the two Contenders.

Race 2

Michael (Topper) made the best start and led for a short while before being overtaken by the faster boats. This race proved much closer on the water with the leading six boats tightly bunched as they headed downwind, with Adrian holding a short lead. As they rounded the leeward gate 14 seconds separated the pack with Adrian just ahead.

After lap two Adrian had and opened up a gap on the others with Phil H heading the chasing pack and Richard F just ahead of Phil A, with the latter executing a rather ungainly tack after rounding the leeward gate resulting in an unexpected swim. Apparently Phil had the kicker on tight and got caught under the boom!

On the final lap Adrian managed to increase his lead to cross the line over a minute clear of Phil H. The Vareo and Solution had a close tussle with the Vareo emerging just ahead at the line.

Fortunately the wind held all evening providing very pleasant racing conditions. On corrected time it was a similar situation in both races with Richard F winning both, Richard B second and Michael being rewarded for his perseverance third in the Topper. Remarkably, Richard F finished both races in exactly the same time of twenty five minutes and nine seconds.

Results are on the club site http://www.gygsc.org.uk/Results/2023/2023Thursday.htm

Pictures are on Flick https://www.flickr.com/photos/gygsc/albums

There was a light haze over the sea at the start to the day with little wind

Nine boats were rigged and ready and patiently awaited the race team to give the ok to launch once the wind filled a bit, although two crews opted not to rig their boats.

Quite a mix of classes ranging from Ed’s new toy, an A Class cat and Steve’s pocket rocket Europe. Fortunately the wind slowly picked up during the day to a F3 which produced three different race winners

Race 1

F1-2 from the SE and a flood tide offshore, although little inshore.

Phil, back from competing in a RS700 event on the south coast led the fleet with Ed close behind.

It was pretty close mid fleet with Nick (Phantom) leading the two RS400’S for the entire race holding off Simon & Bruce by a few seconds across the line. However Steve, sailing his Europe managed to stay enough to win on corrected time with Dave (Vareo) second and Nick third.

Race2

F2 from the SE, the last remains of the flood offshore and slack inshore, turning near the end of the race.

Phil led again but Simon and Bruce (RS400) were in close pursuit. After three laps these two had opened up quite a lead with Nick leading the rest. However, honours went to the ‘slower’ boats with Dave first, Steve second and Richard (Solution) in third.

Race3

The best wind of the day as the wind increased to a F3. The Ebb tide now present. This obviously suited Phil as he did a horizon job on the rest of the fleet taking both line honours and a win on corrected time. Crossing the line second and despite finishing over five minutes ahead of the next boat Simon & Bruce had to settle for fourth with Steve claiming second on corrected time and Dave third.

Good luck to Steve next week when he attends the Europe Inland Championship at Grafham Water.

Thanks to the race team for their patience, great course and a fine days racing.

Results are on the club site http://www.gygsc.org.uk/Results/2023/2023Spring.htm

Pictures are on Flick https://www.flickr.com/photos/gygsc/albums

It was great to get back on the water again at ‘sunny’ Gorleston, although the sunny forecast was perhaps a little optimistic. Thankfully the water wasn’t as cold as everyone was expecting !

Eight boats took to the water, three RS400’s and a mixture of five different single hander classes.

Conditions were good with a steady F3 from the SE which eased to a F2-3 for the final race and there was no doubting we were back on the lumpy stuff. The race team set a good sized Windward – Leeward course and with the ebbing tide still flowing it meant a good long beat.

Race one

David (Solution) has an early exit when his kicker broke shortly after the start. Richard & Rosie (400) soon found their form and led by over three minutes after the first lap. Phil & Lorna (400) led the chasing pack with Dave (Vareo) just ahead of Keith (Laser). After lap two Richard & Rosie had managed to open the gap to nearly six minutes and easily held their handicap. Keith sailed a good windward leg overtaking Dave to take second on corrected time.

Race two

The three 400’s soon led the fleet with R&R opening up a small lead on the others. Adam & Jordan and Phil & Lorna had a close race until the third lap with the former pulling away to cross the line second. Meanwhile, back in the single hander fleet, Dave had an early retirement when one of his shrouds became unclipped.  Keith led the remaining boats with Darell (Contender) and Phil (Harrier)  enjoying a close battle with the two approaching the line together seemingly in conversation and crossing the line together. R&R winning on handicap with Keith just beating Adam & Jordan.

Race three

By the start of the final race the wind had eased a little and the tide was almost slack. Adam & Jordan nailed the start and led for a short while. However, R&R managed to take the lead before the windward mark and proceeded to open up a small lead at the finish. After lap one Dave led the single handers however, Darell had a great windward leg on lap two overtaking Dave.

R&R took line honours again and their third race win with Adam & Jordan just beating Dave on corrected. time.

Many thanks to the race team for a great if not tiring days sailing. Once back ashore it was time for the customary Chef Brown’s pie. The weather was still good enough to enjoy it outside on the prom…. well just warm enough !

Results are on the club site http://www.gygsc.org.uk/Results/2023/2023Spring.htm

Pictures are on Flick https://www.flickr.com/photos/gygsc/albums