Category: 2024 Reports

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 !

19^th Oct -Work Party,  clubhouse @ 10.00 am

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

11^th Nov –  AGM,  clubhouse @ 7.30 pm

GYGSC’s very own ‘Butch Cassidy’.

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

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

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

Conditions were near perfect, unfortunately enthusiasm appeared to have waned as only the very keen decided to venture out for the final Thursday sailing of the year. There was a warm F2 from the NE and HW at 19.00.

Racing starts, a tad more wind would had been nice – seems an odd thing to say after the past Thursday evenings !

View from the committee boat – thanks to Lorna and Chris for volunteering to run the racing.

It was getting dark by the time we returned to shore. Beautiful sunset though.

Big thanks goes to Hugh and his Quad bike, without which we would not have been able to sail

Thursday Finale results

Pictures on Flickr

It was the first Act of the Autumn series, thankfully the weather had improved over the previous few days, the temperature was up and the wind starting with a manageable F2 from the SW.

Another rarity recently was the tide assisting the beat providing some extended off wind legs for everyone. Ten boats started the day but only three finishing the final race.

RS400’s head for the leeward gate

The three RS400’s quickly led the fleet in race one. After lap one only eight seconds separated them as they rounded the leeward gate. Team Custard slowly pulled away during the next three laps. Phil & Roger led Richard & Robyn by two seconds on the penultimate lap and again on the finish line. Behind the singlehanders had their own battle with Contender Phil just ahead of Vareo Dave and Solution Paul. A boom failure on the final lap meant an early trip back ashore for Dave. Paul managing to overtake Phil on the final lap.

The wind and sea state slowly built during the day

The forecasted increase in wind turned out to be correct and with a building sea state resulted in a much depleted fleet for race two with only four starters, one of which retired. Just two seconds separated the first two RS400’s after lap one with Phil & Roger two seconds ahead of Team Custard and Richard & Robyn a few seconds further behind. Over the next three laps Phil & Roger extended their lead to forty seconds. Solution Paul flew the flag for the singlehanders finishing third.

Some returned to shore earlier than others

On corrected time there were two different race winners with Team Custard winning the first by just seven seconds and Paul the second race. Phil & Roger, sailing the club RS400 to a third and second place.

Thanks to the race team for a great but if not challenging days sailing. Special thanks to ‘young’ Ed for assisting on the RIB which was needed as at one point there were two capsizes and a ‘broken boat’ to deal with.

Full results are on the club web site

Autumn series results

Pictures on Flickr

Team Custard and Paul, todays race winners

After careful considerable it was decided to skip the trip to Hopton and sail extended windward leeward courses instead.

Eleven boats joined in with all bar one singlehanders.

Phantom Mark led race one from start to finish with D-One Steve in hot pursuit. D-One Adrian managed to close the gap after lap two. On the final lap,  Solution Richard, Contender Phil and Laser Harry made best use of the light winds nearly catching Steve at the line.

Sailing gets the seal of approval

Race two, Mark led again this time followed by Phil. These two opened up a good lead on the rest of the fleet resulting in an extra lap for them. After lap one less than a minute separated the next four boats with Solution Richard just ahead of Contender Darell and Laser Michael just ahead of Vareo Richard. On the final lap, Solution Richard managed to pull ahead of the others but now followed by Vareo Richard.

The colourful sight of beach huts and spinnakers

A slightly reduced fleet for the final race. Mark once again leading the fleet round the course taking line honours again. Eleven seconds separated the next four boats led by Contender Phil. After lap two Contender Phil has opened up a small lead on the group with Laser Harry just ahead of the others. On the final lap, Solution Richard managed to slip pass Harry to cross the line third.

On corrected times Richard and Harry shared race wins with Harry winning race one and race three.

Big thanks to the race team, especially Sarah and Ed who stepped in to help.

Next week sees the start of the Autumn series – my, how time flies.

Full results are on the club web site

Hopton race results

Pictures on Flickr

Richard and Harry, todays race winners

It was a beautiful day at Costa del Gorleston, another cloudless sky and a warm F2 from the NE. The beach was surprisingly empty first thing but gradually filled during the morning and was packed when we returned to shore.

12 boats enjoyed a rare four race Sunday which was almost dominated by Team Jarvis, with James taking the first two races in his OK and Paul the third in his Solution. Richard and Rosie managed to save some pride for the two-person boats taking the final race in their RS400.

Costa del Gorleston…..early morning

The tide was in full flood at the beginning of the racing so most were mindful of venturing out to the windward mark too early.  As race three started the wind veered to East and also increased a tad. The race team finished the race after lap one and quickly reset the course, hence the extra race.

It was the final Act of the Summer series which saw a change at the top with Richard & Rosie jumping up the leader board to win the series with Paul second and Nick third.

Next week is the second part of the Hopton Passage races, so remember your onboard provisions.

Full results are on the club web site

Summer series

A few weeks ago we may have said it was a warm start to the day but after the past few hot days it felt a bit chilly. This may have been the reason there were very few people on the beach, although the Gorleston cliff top festival may have also contributed to this.

Eleven boats were rigged and launched and apart from the two RS400’s all were single handers.

The offshore wind was patchy and variable, initially from the west but gradually moving to the SW, and wind strength anything from very little to a F2.

And the most travelled visitor award goes to……………… Paul, visiting from NZ

Race 1 – With HW just before the start there was little tide to deal with.  Dave & John, sailing their RS400 led the fleet, closely followed by Phantom Nick and Richard, who was going solo, swapping his RS400 for his RS300. These three opened up a good lead on the rest of the fleet after two laps earning themselves an extra lap to the others. Behind them, Solution Richard led after lap one and new member Mark, sailing a Phantom leading on lap two. Vareo Richard put in a fast second lap finishing one second behind Richard.

A day for concentration

Race 2 – the patchy and shifty wind was a test for everyone’s patience! By now the ebb tide was flowing, particularly noticeably inshore. Dave & John led the slow moving fleet, eventually opening up a good lead. Phantom Mark worked the shifts well moving into second spot nearly three minutes ahead of the next boat, Phantom Nick. The two Solutions were enjoying a close tussle with Richard just a few seconds ahead of Paul. Thankfully the race team took sympathy on the fleet and finished the race after one, very long lap.

Little Phantom, big Phantom !

Despite the light conditions there was still some appetite for a third race. The race team thoughtfully moved the windward mark a little closer, also taking into consideration the wind had shifted more to the south. Things looks good during the countdown but just before the start the wind died, and slowly but surely everyone gradually drifted further away from the start line. After several minutes everyone decided to head for home, which itself proved difficult. Eventually the two Safety boats towed boats back to shore

Race three- trying to get to the line

On corrected time Dave & John won both races with Phantom Nick second in race one and Phantom Mark second in race two. Third place in both races went to Solution Richard. With just one week to go, Phantom Nick is looking well positioned to win the Summer series, holding a six point lead over Solution Paul

Dave & John, winners of race 1 & 2

Ironically just as we had got all the boats back ashore a decent Southerly breeze filled in. Many thanks to the race team for a testing and mentally tiring (frustrating!) days sailing and for making the most of the conditions.

Full results are on the club web site

Summer series

Photos on the club Flickr site

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gygsc/albums/

It’s beginning to feel like summer ! 

It was a warm cloudless day at Gorleston and also windless when we first arrived. The sea was super flat, glistening in the sunshine. A few decided not to hang around but the forecast suggested a sea breeze would fill in late morning and sure enough just after 10.30 the wind begun to shift from NW to N and finally a F2 from the east arrived.

By this time there were many people on the beach and the first task was finding a route to the shoreline to launch the boats.

All close, heading back to the leeward gate

The race team were quick to set course although racIng was delayed a tad whilst a certain 400 crew had to be recovered from their SUP having paddled a little too far down tide !

By the time racing started the sea breeze was still a steady F2 from the east, with the occasional gust just sufficient for Ed to get one hull of his A-Class out of the water.

Race one honours went to the RS400 of Richard, with stand in crew Dave, who just beat Paul, sailing his Solution. However, Paul made amends by winning the next three races, yes we had four races as conditions were so nice.

RS400 ‘s at the leeward gate

Many thanks to the race team of Tamsin and Phil, who made the extra effort of moving the start line  for the fourth race as the wind had shifted to the ESE.

Full results are on the club web site

Summer series

Photos on the club Flickr site

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gygsc/albums/