Reports – Page 14 – Gt Yarmouth & Gorleston Sailing Club

Revised sailing programme

In view of the current situation which meant a delay in this years activities the sailing programme has been revised in order to balance out the Summer and Autumn series with remaining weeks we have in the calendar. The table below details the proposed programme changes.

The course for the Triad series will be triangles as opposed to the normal windward leeward courses and intended to cater for the increased number of non asymmetric boats now sailing due to the current sailing guidelines.

The Thursday evening programme officially ended this week but will be extended one week. We then intend to continue with the Thursday Finale series as long as possible, weather and light conditions permitting!

SUNDAYS		ORIGINAL	REVISED
APR	5	SPR 1+SOS
APR	12	SPRING 2
APR	19	SPRING 3
APR	26	SPRING 4
MAY	3	SPRING 5
MAY	10	SPRING 6
MAY	17	SOL+S/H
MAY	24	PASSAGE 1
MAY	31	TRIAD 1
JUN	7	SUMMER 1
JUN	14	PASSAGE 2
JUN	21	BEACH
JUN	28	SUMMER 2
JUL	5	SUMMER 3
JUL	12	SUMMER 4	SOS + SUMMER 1
JUL	19	PASSAGE 3	SUMMER 2
JUL	26	SUMMER 5	SUMMER 3
AUG	2	SUMMER 6	TRIAD 1
AUG	9	SUMMER 7	SUMMER 4
AUG	16	TRIAD 2	SUMMER 5
AUG	23	AUTUMN 1	SUMMER 6
AUG	30	AUTUMN 2	TRIAD 2
SEP	6	AUTUMN 3	AUTUMN 1
SEP	13	AUTUMN 4	AUTUMN 3
SEP	20	AUTUMN 5	AUTUMN 3
SEP	27	AUTUMN 6	TRIAD 3
OCT	4	AUTUMN 7	AUTUMN 4
OCT	11	TRIAD 3	AUTUMN 5
OCT	18	EOS	AUTUMN 6 + EOS

July 26 th

It was warm, sunny with a pleasant F3-4 wind, conditions were looking good for the third Sunday of sailing.

Eleven boats launched for what were the best sailing conditions this year.

The race team were to be kept busy with a change of course, a drifting mark and a few capsizes to deal with, all of which were dealt with fittingly.

The wind shifted just before the start of race one which saw Phil (Contender) and Steve (Europe) first to realise it was a fetch to the windward mark whereas several others had pointed considerably higher for a while before realising and ending up broad reaching to it. Phil and Steve rounded the mark first followed by Richard (300) and Simon & Bruce, aka Team Beckett (400).

Due to the wind change the race team decided to shorten the race after the first lap which Steve looked to have in the bag but a death roll about 100 metres from the line denied him of that. Phil crossed the line first closely followed by the 300 & 400. On corrected time Dave (Laser) pipped Phil by four seconds for first place with Richard third.

After a change of course race two got underway. Dave and Richard port tacked the fleet and rounded the windward mark first closely followed by Team Beckett. Richard took the lead on lap two and Phil recovered from a slow start overtaking Dave on lap four. Conditions were good with some great off wind legs riding the waves. Richard opened up a small lead to finish first with Phil second. On corrected time Dave took the race with Steve in second and Richard third again.

Many thanks to Lorna, Phil & Nick for a great, if a bit tiring day.

Full results here

Thursday 23rd July

With a stronger than forecast SW’erly and surfers enjoying some good waves conditions did not look too promising for any sailing. However, after a suitable amount of dithering both the wind and waves decreased and so we set off for a slightly delayed start.

By the time the boats reached the start line the wind had shifted to the west and varying between a F1 and F3.

Phil (700) and Dave (Laser) opened up a good lead in race one and managed to put in an extra lap with Dave winning the race with Phil & Lorna, sailing their 400 for the first time since last year second and Phil third.

The race team decided we needed more light wind practise and so set a second race. Phil managed to sail well clear with Phil & Lorna and Dave leading the chasing fleet. The downwind legs were proving testing in the light winds and big swell. It was a David one-two with Laser Dave first and David, sailing his recently acquired Solution second and Phil third again.

By the time we headed for shore the light was beginning to fade and the wind had picked up. Whilst it made for some good surfing in the swell it did make getting ashore a little more difficult but excellent teamwork ensured everyone got back safely.

Thanks to the race team of Richard and Ed for two enjoyable races.

Full results here

Sunday 19th July

It was damp and overcast on arrival at Gorleston making for a rather gloomy start to the days sailing. Thankfully it gradually cleared during the day with even a few sunny periods.

For the second week of Sunday racing there has been a noticeable change to the boat classes. Last year the majority of boats racing were two-man classes, this year all have been single-handers. Due to the current virus guidelines this is likely to remain the case for some time.

There was a F2 gusting F4 Northerly so the race team set a course parallel with the shore. The sea state at this point was flat but it slowly increased through the day.

Seven boats made the start for race one with Phil (700) and Nick (Phantom) getting the best starts. The fleet split into two with the faster boats heading inshore and the slower offshore. At the windward mark there did not appear to be much advantage each way although with the tide having just turned and now ebbing, there soon would be.

Phil gradually sailed away from the fleet leaving Nick and Richard (300) fighting for second place, behind the three lasers and a Europe were enjoying a close battle. Unfortunately for Will, who was sailing the club laser his racing was curtailed when the top section of the mast broke. At the finish Phil had opened up a good lead and almost lapping some boats. Nick and Richard enjoyed three laps of close racing with just a few seconds between them throughout the race. Dave, sailing his recently acquired Laser leading the ‘slow fleet’ home and winning on corrected time with Nick second and Steve third in his Europe.

There was a little more wind and more chop for race two. Phil and Steve retired with the latter suffering with some gear failure. Nick and Richard were neck and neck for the first three laps but on the final lap Nick sailed the downwind leg to perfection opening up a two minute lead and winning the race. Dave claimed second and Richard third.

Thanks to Don for volunteering to be OOD ably assisted by Phil and Lorna.

Full results here

Thursday Evening Racing

Following last week’s leisure sailing on Thursday, racing commenced this week. With a light warm breeze it provided a pleasant start to the Thursday race series.

Richard and Ed (RS400) wisely checked out the tide at the windward mark prior to the start and kept to the shore after the start whereas everyone else headed offshore, presumably in search of more wind. Having timed their moment to head offshore to the mark perfectly Richard and Ed had a comfortable lead on the others which their extended on the second lap. Richard Fryer (RS300) led the chase closely followed by Tamsin sailing the club Laser.

Following a change in wind direction OOD Phil relayed the course for race 2. However the wind gradually began to fade so everyone decided to head for shore.

Full results here

Start of Season – hurrah !

With the wind turbines barely moving coupled with the forecast suggesting a near 180 degree change in wind direction sometime around midday it did not look too promising for the much delayed Start of the Season races. Normally the clothing dilemma for the SOS races is concerning how many layers do I wear underneath my drysuit, but today it was shorty or full wetsuit – has to be the warmest SOS races ever !

Despite the light winds nine boats took to the water with eight joining in the racing with the wind building to a pleasant F2 from the SE plus sunshine by the start of race one.

Phil H sailing his RS700 and Nick, opting to sail his Phantom led the fleet building up a good lead on the rest and almost lapping most. Steve (Europe) and Richard (Laser) enjoyed a close tussle throughout the race with just two seconds between them on the first two laps and seven on the third and fourth. On corrected time Nick claimed his first win of the day with Steve second and Phil H third.

At the start of race two the wind had increased to a F3 and the skies now overcast. Phil H opened up a good lead and three quarters through the race had lapped some boats. Nick again led the rest of the fleet. Behind there was a four way battle between the Lasers of Richard and Will, Steve and Don sailing his D-one. Unfortunately for Don his spinnaker was proving to be difficult to hoist so opted not to use it. On corrected time it was a repeat for the first race with Phil H just pipping Phil A (Contender) by four seconds for third.

There was a little more wind for the last race, the sea a little rougher and a noticeable drop in temperature. Phil H and Nick again leading the fleet by some way but this time Nick not far behind. Phil A led the chasing pack closely followed by Don. Behind Steve, Richard and Will were again enjoying some close racing with just ten seconds between them after the first lap. Nick claimed a clean sweep winning the final race with Steve second and Will beating Phil A by just … four seconds for third.

All in all a very pleasant days sailing, hopefully the conditions next week will be as good.

Full results here

End of Season – Grey clouds but sunshine to finish

It was a chilly start to the day for the final racing of the season at Gorleston. Thankfully it did warm up as the day progressed and by the time we sat down for lunch it was warm enough to enjoy lunch alfresco.

The wind was a light NW’erly for race one. Ed and Chris led the way in their Spitfire closely followed by the RS400’s led by Don and Keith. Richard & Robyn moved ahead on the second beat opening up a good lead on the other 400’s after two laps. On the final beat Don & Keith worked the shifts well to re-take the lead and managed to edge ahead of the Spitfire over the line.

The committee boat end of the line was the place to start for race two and with the jostling for position intense Steve (Minisail cum Laser!) decided to reserve his spot by capsizing on the line just before the gun. This caused some hectic course changing by some but everyone got away without incident. Ed & Chris established a good lead after the first lap but could not consolidate it on the subsequent laps. Dave & Kristof led the 400 charge with D-One Nick enjoying the increased wind and mixing it with the 400’s. By the fourth and final lap Dave & Kristof had a small lead on the chasing pack led Don & Keith.

There were some very grey clouds passing overhead for the start of the final race but thankfully it stayed dry. This did however provide a bit more wind although it shifted to the NNW. Ed & Chris once again raced to the front of the fleet slowly building up a good lead by the finish line. Dave & Kristof headed the chasing pack to the finish with Don & Keith just beating Nick to the line but Nick claiming second on corrected time.

EOS lunching alfresco plus a visitor in lycra

By the time we got ashore the sun had returned and the temperature had risen sufficiently to enjoy our final lunch of the season on the prom. Many thanks to the race team of Phil, Lorna, Adrian, Tim and Robyn for a most enjoyable days sailing. Only six months to the next race, unless you are migrating to RBSC or WOBYC for the winter.

Full results here

Autumn Series Act 5 – Close racing in lovely September weather

We were blessed with another lovely sunny day at Gorleston for Act 5 of the Autumn series. With a warm F2-3 SSE breeze and the tide just starting to flood it was going to be a tide assisted beat and long runs over the waves. Eight boats launched into a rather lively sea with the RS400’s making up half the fleet.

After the start of race one everyone headed offshore to pick up the tide. Richard & Carol were quickest upwind and headed the pack at a busy windward mark with the 400’s and D-One Steve rounding in quick succession. At the leeward gate Richard & Carol had a 30 second lead over the closely packed fleet. Over the course of the race Steve, showing great downwind speed slowly closed the gap to finish just one second behind at the finish and winning on corrected time. Dave & John, who had caught up on lap two managed to tie a knot in their spinny halyard resulting in a rather slow spinny drop finished third. Just behind were Simon and Bruce and Richard & Robyn who had enjoyed the first of three race long tussles.

Steve continued his good form in race two to lead after lap one followed by the 400’s led by Dave & John. However this all changed on lap two after Richard & Carol picked their way up the beat to lead after the second lap with Dave & John six seconds behind. After a further two laps of close racing it could have gone either way at the finish line with Dave & John crossing less than a boat length ahead of Richard & Carol with Richard & Robyn slipping past Simon & Bruce in the final stages of the race.

The wind had picked up a tad by the time the final race started. Richard & Carol continued their upwind prowess to lead after lap one, two seconds ahead of Dave & John with Richard & Robyn just ahead of Simon & Bruce. On the second downwind leg Dave & John managed to slip ahead and held onto a narrow lead to the finish. Simon & Bruce managed to slip past Richard & Robyn on the final lap. Just behind the 400’s David Brief, making the rather big transition from Shadow X to Laser was now getting to grips with the Laser and improving every race and preventing a 400 1,2,3 to take third on corrected time.

On returning to shore there was a rather frisky surf to contend with but following some great team work every got ashore safely although most were thoroughly soaked wading into help others.

Many thanks to the race team for a great day of extremely close racing with some enjoyable downwind legs riding the waves. And a special thanks to Robyn for the wonderful chocolate cake which everyone appreciated.

Full results here

Autumn Series Act 4 – Wind first from the west… then from the east!

Despite being mid September the sun was shining and the temperature around 20 degrees, so it felt more like the Summer series than the Autumn. As we rigged the boats on the prom the water was only 20 metres from the ramp, and it was still not quite high water! Twelve boats launched onto a very flat sea, the wind at this point was off shore which usually means shifty conditions.

Nick (D-One) won the hotly fought pin end of the line at the start of race one. With the remains of the flood tide still evident most boats headed inshore initially before tacking for the mark. Richard & Robyn (RS400) stayed further off shore and found more breeze and out-paced and out-pointed the entire fleet to round the windward mark with a clear lead which they held to the finish. Dave & John finished next, over two minutes behind followed by a closely packed group with Karl (Laser) just edging Richard & Tony (Xenon) for third place on corrected time.

In race two Ed & Joe (Spitfire) led the fleet and after lap one had established a good lead. However on approaching the windward mark on lap two the wind became light and patchy which does not suit the cats at which point they watched their lead diminish as Dave & John and Nick caught them up. They did hold onto the lead to cross the line first with Nick making a late surge overtaking Dave & John just before the line and winning on corrected time. Dave & John were second with Anna & Keith third having enjoyed a great second lap, in fact the only boat to achieve a sub 20 minute time on lap two. By compassion Ed & Joe’s first lap was a sub 13 minute and their second lap was over 21 minutes.

Just before the final race was underway the sea breeze kicked in requiring the race team to perform a quick coursectomy. By the time we started the wind was a pleasant F2-3 Easterly and provided the best racing of the day. Dave & John slowly edged ahead crossing the line with a small lead to win, close behind were Richard & Robyn with Nick third.

We are now halfway through the Autumn series and the RS400’s are laying down the gauntlet to the other classes with a clean sweep of the podium places.

Full results here

Autumn Series Act 3 – A good Northerly…..for a while !

As we travelled down the Acle straight towards Gorleston we noticed that none of the wind turbines at Scroby were moving which was a little disconcerting considering the forecast of 15 mph. As we were rigging the boats on the prom the wind gradually picked up and by the time race one got underway there was a nice F3-4 from the North.

Twelve boats launched with two opting to cruise around while ten lined up at the start line. With the race starting just before low water there was the remains of the ebb tide which assisted the upwind legs. Nick (D-One) led after lap one closely followed by Dave & John (400). Behind a three way battle between Richard & Robyn (400), Simon & Bruce (400) and Steve (D-One). Although Dave & John managed to pass Nick on lap two Nick stormed up the third beat to regain the lead which he extended on lap four crossing the line well ahead to take the win on corrected time with Dave & John second. Just behind the rest of the fleet of asymmetrics were the singlehanders of Karl (Laser) and Steve (Europe) who had remained in contention with Karl beating Steve by six seconds to claim third place.

Race two started in slack water with a lumpy swell from the NE now evident. The wind by this time had decreased and become shifty. After lap one Dave & John had a small lead over Nick who was just ahead of the rest of the fleet led by Richard & Robyn and Keith & Jack (500). Positions remained unchanged for the next two laps but on the final lap Dave & John found some extra pace opening up their lead crossing the line clear ahead and winning on corrected time. The singlehanders were again close enough to edge out the other asymmetrics with Karl claiming second and Steve third.

During the race we enjoyed the sight of the Minerva tall ship, which was in Yarmouth for the Maritime Festival sailing out of the harbour and staying just offshore to our sailing area before heading back into the harbour.

The flood tide had set in at the start of race three. Whilst it had remained dry there were some ominous looking clouds inshore and to the north with signs of rain beneath. Three 400’s led the fleet up the first beat. In the shifty conditions the lead was changing regularly with all three taking the lead at some point. Fifty metres from the windward mark Simon & Bruce had a small lead however lost out following a big shift allowing Dave & John to sneak thro to round the mark first. After the first lap Dave & John, Richard & Robyn and Nick had opened up a gap on the rest of the fleet. Simon & Bruce unfortunately suffering downwind as they no longer could use their spinnaker. On lap three Dave & John managed to open up a gap and which they maintained to the finish. Nick hooked up to a good breeze on the final downwind leg and almost caught Richard & Robyn at the finish. On corrected time Dave & John recorded their second win but the positions of the next four boats were close with Steve this time beating Karl for second.

As we headed for shore the clouds had cleared resulting in a lovely afternoon and we basked in sunshine as we had lunch on the prom.

Thanks to the race team for managing a good days sailing and for everyone who helped with the landing of the RIBS at the end of the day.

Full results here