Category: Reports

After the disappointing Bank Holiday Weekend it was nice to get back to what has been for some time normal for Gorleston, i.e. unbroken sunshine and temperature around 20 degrees. With the wind coming from the SE the flooding tide made short work of the upwind legs and with conditions so good the race team were easily persuaded to add a fourth race.
Chris & Matt in their Taser showed great upwind speed often being first boat to round the windward mark on the first lap. This hopefully bodes well for their forthcoming trip to Hayling Island for the Taser Nationals.
In race one the D-Ones of Steve and Nick led the way off wind opening up a good lead on the rest of the fleet to comfortably win on corrected time. Mid fleet Phil & Lorna (400) and Anna & Keith (500) enjoyed a close battle throughout the race with just a four seconds between them after two laps. However, on the final lap the 500 crept ahead to finish nearly twenty seconds ahead.
In race two Dave & guest crew Kristoff (400) led the fleet closely pursued by the D-One’s of Nick and Don, with the 400 taking the win on corrected time.
In races three and four Dave & Kristoff led the fleet, hotly pursued by D-One Don. On corrected time honours were shared with the 400 winning the third race and the D-One the fourth. Race three saw another close tussle between Phil & Lorna and Anna & Keith, once again just a few seconds separating them after two laps. This time the 400 managed to creep ahead on the final lap but not quite far enough to hold their handicap.
Many thanks to the race team of Tom and Phil for their patience sitting on the start line for four races watching the rest of us having a lovely sail.  Full results on the club website

3 2 Buoy Challenge Race

With the forecast predicting 25 knots later in the day there was some deliberation on the prom as to whether to venture out or not. However, with the sea looking reasonably flat and the wind still manageable, seven boats decided to venture out for 3 Buoy Challenge races, although it was now going to be the 2 Buoy Challenge races. There were several new crew pairings for the day with David Brief swapping his Shadow to crew in a 400 with Richard Fryer, Robyn Ollington swapping one 400 for another sailing with Don D’onions and Ed Anderson sailing with Keith Sykes in a 500. Race one started in a relatively light wind with Dave & John (400) leading round the windward mark with Richard and David (400) just a few seconds behind and Don & Robyn third. The wind increased during the final lap which saw Phil and Lorna (400) going for an uncharacteristic swim on the last gybe.
The wind was a F4 for the second race. Richard and David outpaced everyone upwind to lead around the first mark and built up a good lead by the end of the race. Dave & John finished second and after a close tussle throughout the race Don & Robyn just pipped Tom &John (505) over the line. Ed and Keith were fairing well until Ed decided to jump ship resulting in an unscheduled capsize for the 500. Thanks to the race team for a well organised and enjoyable days sailing. Full results on the club web site

 

Once again conditions were near perfect at Gorleston for Act 7 of the Summer series. Temperature in the mid twenties, cloudless skies and a F2 SE’erly which increased toF3-4 during the day. Four RS400’s and a mixture of other classes made up the fleet which left the beach which was aleady filling up with sun worshippers!.
Chris (D-One) and Dave & John (RS400) had a close battle during race one with just a few seconds between them until the final lap when Chris’s better downwind speed saw him open up a clear lead at the finish line. However, Keith, swapping RS500 for his Laser had been sailing well to beat Chris on corrected time by just 3 seconds.
The wind increased to F3-4 for races two and three in which Chris gradually left the RS400’s behind to lead by over a minute in both races to claim first place. Dave & John managed to keep ahead of the other 400’s to claim second in both and David (Shadow X), who managed to lap several boats claiming third in both.
In the final race of the day David built up a huge lead and managed to hold his time to claim first place, beating Richard &guest crew Krxysztof by one second.
Many thanks to the race team who set a great course, arranged great weather and turned around the races in quick time. . Full results on the club website.

 

For the early arrivals at Gorleston things looked very promising with a lovely warm ESE’erly F3-4 breeze . There was a gentle flood tide which was to prove a hinderance to some on the start line. Eight boats took to the water including four lasers providing some good class racing for their helms. With a three short race format planned, it was going to be a busy evening. By the time the racing started the wind had eased to a F2-3. With many boats crowding the line early it looked possible for a recall but only one boat was over with the others managing to counter-act the impact of the tide just in time. Don, sailing his D-One had a set back when his clew strap decided to detach itself from the boom just before the start. With some help from the race team this was rectified and Don was able to join the racing but generously giving the others several minutes head start. Richard F(300) made a quick recovery from his premature start and soon lead the fleet towards the windward mark rounding just ahead of the Phil and Lorna(400) and the Laser of Tamsin. With the wind easing slightly it made for slow progress downwind. The 300 held off the 400 to cross the line first but close behind was Tamsin and the Lasers of Keith and Richard B, resulting in a Laser 1,2,3 on corrected time. There was a clean start in race two and Richard F quickly took the lead. At the windward mark he had a good lead on the rest of the fleet lead by Phil and Lorna and Keith establishing a small lead on the other Lasers. There appeared to be a little more wind on the south side of the course so most of the fleet headed start inshore with the added bonus of avoiding the remains of the flood tide. Positions remained unchanged at the line with Richard F crossing over a minute ahead of the 400 and Keith third. Tamsin stayed in front of the other two Lasers who were neck and neck all the way down to the line with Richard B just beating Daryl by 4 seconds. The D-One’s were having their own battle with only a few seconds separating them all round the course with Don just beating Adrian by a few seconds at the line. On corrected time Richard F was first beating Keith by just one second ! By the time the third race started the wind was teasing everyone occasionally showing signs of life but more often than not it was only a F1…..ish, with the sea now more resembling a mill pond. At the windward mark the 300 and 400 rounded close together with a big gap to the rest of the fleet led by D-One Don. Phil and Lorna must have been fully concentrating downwind as they slowly built up a small lead over Richard F to cross the line first. On corrected time it was a dead heat between them and Richard F with Don beating Keith by one second for third place. With the sun just setting as we headed back ashore it was a lovely end to very pleasant evenings sailing. Many thanks to young Ed and Noah for their assistance on the committee boat and to Phil and Lorna for organising supper. Full results on the club website.

 

Nine boats took to the water, for what was best described by Will, the OOD as ‘a mixture of sailing pleasure’! For what is becoming the norm at the moment, we ‘suffered’ beautiful blue skies and temperature in the mid twenties. With low water forecasted at 11.38 race one started with a weakening ebbing tide and a shifty F2-3 from the West. With lots of opportunities to make or lose places in the shifty wind the 400’s appeared to managed well taking the top three places with Dave and John claiming top spot. During the countdown to the start of race two the sea breeze decided to make an appearance, converging with the land breeze at the start line, result… wind coming in all directions and sometimes not at all ! Only Richard & Carol (400) and Richard & Robyn(400) crossing the line on time with the rest of the fleet struggling to make the tide as the wind played it’s games. A short way up the ‘beat’ the sea breeze filled resulting in a drag race to the mark. The race team sensibly shortened the race after lap one with Richard & Carol well clear of the fleet, Richard & Robyn holding on the their second and just eight seconds separating the next four boats with Keith & Anna (500) claiming third. The next two races provided the best sailing of the day with a reasonably steady ENE’erly F2-3. In race three Dave & John caught some good pressure on the first downwind leg to open up a short lead on Richard & Carol which they maintained to the finish. Don (D-One) showed good downwind speed staying close to the two leading 400’s throughout the race to claim third place. Due to the pleasant conditions the race team kindly offered to run an extra race which was greatly appreciated. This provided some very close racing between the 400’s of Richard & Carol, Richard & Robyn and Dave & John. With the latter leading at the windward mark but leaving the gybe to the leeward gate a little late these three were almost side by side going down to the leeward gate. It remained close on second lap with Dave & John just pipping Richard & Carol on the line with Richard & ​Robyn third. Just behind were the D-One’s of Nick and Don who had been having their own close tussle with Nick just beating Don over the line.
Huge thanks to the race team of Will, Tom, Matt & Ed for a most enjoyable days sailing.

 

 

A pleasant evenings sailing was enjoyed by all on Thursday with two races sailed in a warm SE F2 wind. With 2 x D-One’s, 2 x RS300’s and 2 x Lasers only the RS500 was without a sailing buddy. Richard Fryer (RS300) set the pace all evening leading both races from start to finish despite some confusion round the windward mark in the first race, was it port or starboard ! In race one the two Lasers were neck and neck until the final lap when Richard Brown managed to break free to lead Tamsin at the finish line. In the second race Dave Houghton (300) and Don O’nions (D-One) spent most of the race rounding the marks together but Don’s better upwind pace saw him open up a short lead on the penultimate beat which he held until the finish. Big thanks to Phil and Lorna for once again stepping in as Race Officers. With only two more weeks (officially) to go it’s a Laser 1, 2 as Tamsin leads Richard by 3.5 points with only Keith and Anna (Laser/RS500) able to threaten the top two. Full results on the Results page

 

 

 

 

Another great days sailing at Gorleston. Unbroken sunshine, a warm F3-4 from the SE and temperatures in the 20’s, what’s not to like.
Race 1 was sailed in the last of the flood tide so most of the fleet headed offshore for the beat. David Brief (Shadow X) rounded the windward mark first and led the fleet throughout the race. Behind, the D-Ones and RS400’s were battling it out with Chris Sallis (D-One) leading the 400’s of Richard Fryer & Carols Smalls and Dave Houghton & John Symonds. Close behind the D-Ones of Nick Favell and Don O’nions were neck and neck and just behind them the 400’s of Simon Beckett from WOBYC and Phil Harlow & Lorna Peirce. Sallis maintained his position throughout the race take his first win of the day with Houghton & Symonds second.
Race 2 was sailed in minimal tide and there was a split in the fleet going upwind for the first time. At the windward mark it was those who went inshore who appeared to gain. Brief did a horizon job on the fleet lapping all bar the top three. Sallis continued his good form to lead the D-One / RS400 pack to take another first with Fryer & Smalls just pipping Brief to take second.
The wind had increased and the sea a little more choppy for the final race of the day. The ebb tide seemed reluctant to set so once again there appeared little tide to contend with. Sallis continued his good form to take his third win with Fryer & Smalls just pipping Houghton & Symonds on the line to take second.
Full results on the club website

 

 

 

Last night saw the running of the rescheduled Thursday Beach Regatta with the tide mostly in but still flooding strongly till the end of the racing.  Richard Fryer and Matt Chives set a W/L course with the fleet beating into a shifty Northerly F3, Race 1 way got underway with 6 boats on the line. To set the theme for the Evening the returning Richard Brown (RS 400) with Tamsin as guest crew headed inshore followed about ½ the fleet, Harlow and Sykes searching for more wind offshore, Richard and Tamsin rounded first with a clear lead and continued to stretch their lead over the rest of the fleet until the line to take an easy win.  Race 2 start saw Brown weave through the Fleet on Port just finding room with Dave Houghton clearing the line on Starboard with everyone else tacking to avoid the committee boat.  The boats were much closer this time at the windward mark as Houghton remembered how to sail his Rs300 but Brown just ahead, by the Leeward gate, it was Brown, Houghton and Sykes not far behind, Sykes leaving the kite drop far too late and by the time it was down well past the gate allowing the whole fleet to pass  by the time they returned to the course.   Brown taking line honours, Houghton not far behind with Buck taking 3^rd on handicap in his laser, Adrian (D-one) taking a short swim on the last Gybe.  Race 3 a quick 1 lapper in the fading light saw a repeat as Brown kept in shore all the way to round in the lead and take the line, with Buck taking 2^nd this time in his Laser.  The fleet returned to shore for pasties and to congratulate Richard and Tamsin 3 bullets and the regatta.

Full results on website………

Thanks to Richard and Matt for a great evening.

 

 

 

With the various forecasting sites predicting light winds varying between the North to South East we were grateful on arriving at the club to be greeted with a relatively stable F2 ESE – SE wind. With the added bonus of blue skies and temperatures in the mid 20’s it made for a glorious days sailing. With racing starting on the last of the ebb tide and finishing as the flood tide started to pick up there was little tide to contend with for the nine boats that ventured onto the water.

Ed picked the perfect day to swap two hulls for one exchanging the Hobie for the club 400 and quickly getting to grips with Wing-wangs!
Phil (700) took on the role of Akela for the day leading the fleet around the course in every race. In race one the key upwind was judging when to venture out to the windward mark. Tom & Will (505) and Dave & John (400) timed it best to follow Phil around the course. Race two saw Phil and Lorna (400) judging the beat to perfection to head the 400’s around the windward mark. In the final race Richard & Robyn (400) and Dave & John (400) led the chasing pack, although Phil’s(700) superior downwind speed enabled him to open up a considerable lead almost lapping some.
Full results on the club site.

Top marks to the race team, Anna, Keith & Nick for three good races and a quick turnaround between races. The only downside of the day was the fact that the great weather conditions meant Gorleston beach more resembled the Costa Brava making finding a route back to the prom quite a challenge.

GYGSC hosted their Beach Regatta on the 23rd and 24 th June.
Locals were joined by visitors from WOBYC and RBSC with eleven different classes competing, ranging from a Solo to an RS800.
Despite the day starting in sunshine and a NE F2-3, the conditions got tougher as the day proceeded. The Race team set a large Windward / Leeward course and with racing starting around low water the first race was sailed in slack water.
Chris Sallis, swapping his usual vessel, a D-One for his Tasar and sailing with Matt Frary were a class apart and led the fleet in the first two races to record two comfortable wins. Nick Favell sailing his D-one was consistently quick upwind and led the chasing pack to record two seconds. As the sky clouded over the wind steadily increased to provide some challenging conditions. There were a number of capsizes with some deciding to head for shore by the end of the second race.
The wind had increased to a F4-5 by the start of the final race with saw a reduced number of starters. With most competitor choosing the play safe and not fly spinnakers they were no capsizes despite the tougher conditions. Nick Favell led from start to finish to claim line honours with Phil and Dennis Manning, sailing a Wayfarer finishing second.
The forecast on Sunday proved partially correct as we enjoyed a day of unbroken sunshine. However, the wind for race four was stronger than forecast, with a good F4 from the NE. With the tide still ebbing it made for an easier beat to the windward mark for the hiking boats. The Tasar once again set the pace early up the first beat, only being pasted by Jamie Freeman and Tamsin Highfield in an RS800 halfway up the beat. With a long run against the tide back to the leeward gate the boats with spinnakers made some big gains over the others throughout the race. Jamie and Tamsin opened up a large lead, lapping some of the boats to record a first with the Wayfarer of Phil and Dennis Manning just pipping Nick Favell for second.
The wind had eased by the time race five started and now a F3. Once again Jamie and Tamsin did a horizon job on the rest of the fleet, this time lapping nearly half the fleet. Behind them was a close battle between the D-One’s of Nick Favell and Steve Gray plus the RS400 of Dave Houghton and John Symonds with only a few seconds between them throughout the race. Jamie and Tamsin recorded their second bullet and the ever consistent team of Phil and Dennis another second. The battle for third was close with Steve Gray finishing a few seconds ahead of the next two boats.
The wind had eased to a F2 for the final race. With the lighter conditions the faster boats struggled to plane downwind and with the Wayfarer never far behind they claimed their first victory of the event. Nick Crickmore sailing a D-One managed the downwind legs better than most to record a second, his best result of the event.
It was close overall with just two points in it. The Wayfarer of Phil and Dennis overall victors with 10 pts, Nick Favell second on 12 pts and David and John third on 20 pts.

Full results on the club website here….

A big thanks to David Brief who was OOD on both days and all the other helpers who manned the rescue boats and galley on either Saturday or Sunday.