Category: Reports

It was a typical Bank Holiday day when we arrived at the club. Overcast skies and raining. There wasn’t a lot of enthusiasm to rig the boats and go sailing. However, having spent a little time mulling over the alternatives it stopped raining and brightened up. Phil promised the forecast for the day was good so we dispersed to make ready. Nine boats were rigged and ready to launch, by which time the clouds had begun to disperse. There was a good F3 from the SE and the flood tide was still present.

James, winner of race one

Race 1- Richard and Robyn (RS400) led the fleet after lap one, unfortunately a spinnaker situation resulted in a retirement in order to sort it out. This left Adam & Jordan (RS400) to take the lead which they held to the finish with James N finishing just over a minute later.

Dave was the next casualty when a traveller fitting broke on his Laser Radial, a quick trip to shore and ‘borrowing’ a spare fitting from another Laser allowed him to join the rest of the races.

Dave, winner of race two

Race 2 – Still a little flood tide but not much. Steve was now adapting to the conditions in the Unit, leading from start to finish. The two 400’s were only a few seconds apart throughout the race with Richard & Robyn crossing the line just two seconds ahead. James N had a good first lap being only a short distance behind the two 400’s, unfortunately on the second beat his tiller parted company with the rudder resulting in lost time replacing it.

RS400’s playing cat and mouse

Race 3 – more or less slack tide although the ebb started to kick in by the end of the race. The wind eased a bit during the race although it was to return later. The 400’s and Unit pulled away from the rest of the fleet and gained an extra lap. James N led the rest of the pack finishing over two minutes ahead of the next boat.

Steve, winner of race three

By the time the race had finished the wind had built to a good F3 and there were a few white horses. Returning to shore proved an exercise in seamanship but made easier thanks to Phil and Darell who were waiting on shore to assist.

For the third time in a row we had three different race winners once the results were calculated,  with James winning the first race, Dave the second and Steve the third.

Thanks to the Race team of Rosie, Bethany, Richard & Steve who provided a great course allowing a good days sailing.

Full results are on the club web site http://www.gygsc.org.uk/Results/2024/2024Spring.htm

The race team took some pictures which are on the club Flickr site

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

There was a good F3 from the West on arrival at the club, the sun was shining and a gentle sea state, just the ingredients for a pleasant evening sail. With everyone making a effort to rig and launch in a timely manner we actually managed to start racing two minutes early !

Eight boats, a good mixture of classes but all single-handers lined up on the start line.

Adam leads race one – the picture belies the light level.

Race 1 – By the time racing started the wind was F2-3. Michael made an early bid for the lead, unfortunately this included being two boat lengths over the line resulting in a quick U turn. This left Adam and Richard to lead the fleet after lap one although Richard was to become the first casualty of the mysterious attraction of the little orange mark!

Race two gets a clean start

After three laps Adam (Streaker) crossed the line first with Phil (Contender), Harry (Laser Rad) and Phil (Phantom) crossing within a few seconds of each other.

Streaking away!

Race 2 – Adam shot off at the start building up a thirty second lead after two laps. Richard (Vareo) led the chasing pack just ahead of Phantom Phil.

Adam claimed line honours but Richard had closed the gap to just two seconds with Chris (Laser) sneaking in front of the ‘Phil’s on the last lap.

Race 3 and the wind is beginning to ease.

Race 3 – By this time the wind had now eased to F1-2. Adam managed to pull off a port end flyer taking a good lead up the first beat. Darell become the second victim on the little orange mark, managing to first get his centreboard caught on the warp then, having freed this managed to get his rudder caught. Meanwhile, Richard had a good first beat to lead after lap one followed by the ‘Phils’. Unfortunately for Contender Phil, he was about to become the third victim of the little orange mark, although it has to be said, by first capsizing and clearing his centreboard from the anchor warp it proved to be a quick, if not wet method.  As the boats sailed the second lap the wind had eased to a F1 so the race team shortened the course. Richard maintained his lead with Phantom Phil second.

Fatal attraction – the mysterious attraction of the ‘little orange mark’

On corrected time there were three different race winners, Harry winning the first, Adam the second and Richard the last race.

In addition to the little orange mark transgressors, there were rumours of a few hitting the big orange mark (windward mark) although this was out of sight of the race team and  so unable to verify this.

Full results are on the club web site

http://www.gygsc.org.uk/Results/2024/2024Thursday.htm

Pictures on the club Flickr site

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

Heading to shore after a lovely evenings sail

‘A cracking days sailing’ is how a well known claymation character would have described Sundays sailing. Costa de Gorleston provided blue skies, a F3-4 wind and temperature almost at 20 degrees. The icing on the cake was the tide assisting the upwind legs providing long downwind legs which provided some excellent surfing conditions, particularly for the asymmetrics.

There was quite a mixture of classes, eight to be precise, lined up along the prom, ranging from a vintage Unit class to a RS700. The RS400’s were the largest fleet with four boats.

Don & Mark’s sailing was halted when the rudder came off their 400 on their way to the start line, resulting in an early return to shore.

Racing underway

Race 1 – Everyone was quite cautious at the start of race one, it was easy to be over at the start with the tide taking over the line. Some timed it well, others were over cautious and were a little late. The fleet split, some venturing offshore, more tide but lumpy sea, some stayed closer to shore in smoother waters. At the mark there appeared to be little difference in the two routes with Adam & Jordan leading the pack of RS400’s, closely followed by Nick in his Phantom.

After five laps Dave & John (400) had opened up a good lead, with the other two RS400’s and Nick finishing within eight seconds of each other. Next to finish was James, sailing his OK, just ahead of a tightly packed group of three.

Asymmetrics enjoying the downwind rides

Race 2 – A clean start with Richard & Robyn (400) leading to the windward mark. Most ventured inshore although a few opted to go offshore for more wind although this meant more tide. Another five lapper with Dave & John claiming line honours, behind, the Unit had joined the following pack of 400’s and the Phantom. Next, a pack of three led by the Contender, just ahead of the OK, who was just ahead of Paul, in his Solution.

We were joined by some Kite Surfers and Wing Foilers

The wind had eased slightly for the final race. Richard & Robyn and Adam & Jordan enjoyed a race long tussle, the former leading after the first lap but Adam & Jordan eventually pulling ahead to take line honours. The Phantom was never far behind. After three laps only 40 seconds separated the remaining boats led by the Unit.  Unfortunatley a capsize  for the Unit and the Solution halted their progress leaving the Contender to finish next and then the OK.

Curtis puts the hammer down

On corrected time there were three different winners, Dave &John (400) winning race one, Steve (Unit) race two and James (OK) the final race

With only two more weeks to go in the series Nick looks to be the man to beat holding a good lead over second placed Dave & John,.

Adam & Jordan were the start line kings of the day

Thanks to the Race team for a great days sailing, just need to ensure conditions are like this every week. Inbetween their race duties thy managed to take several pictures with are now on the club Flickr site.

Full results are on the club web site http://www.gygsc.org.uk/Results/2024/2024Spring.htm

Pictures on the club Flickr site

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

Pick of the day

Everyone was looking forward to a lovely day on the water, the forecast was good, clear blue skies and temperature in high teens. However, the wind had other ideas and despite periods of a F2 breeze from the SE, there were longer periods of little or no wind.

The periods of little wind seemed to coincide with us approaching the offshore mark, i.e. in the strongest tide which made progress very, very slow. Patience and a prayer to the appropriate deity was the order of the day.

‘Racing’ about to commence

Eight boats started the day but only three had the stamina for the third race.

The single handers continued to take top honours, this week Nick, sailing his Phantom taking three bullets. Adam and Jordan, sailing a RS400 were the best of the rest taking three seconds.

Thanks to the race team for their patience.

Results are on the club web site http://www.gygsc.org.uk/Results/2024/2024Spring.htm

‘Action shots’ on the club Flickr site

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

Phil in full race mode

Sunshine, temperature in the high teens and a F3 from the SE, conditions were looking good for a pleasant Thursday evening sail. The forecast did however suggest the wind would ease later so we eagerly got boats rigged and RIB ready in order to start on time.

Eight boats launched with the Lasers making half the fleet, with Ed and Phil sailing the two club Lasers joining Chris and Richard.

Chris leads the fleet in race one

The usual short race format was planned in order to get two races in. At the start of race one the tide had already started to flood and the wind around F2-3. Chris timed the start well and took an early lead. After the first lap the fleet was led by two lasers with Chris holding a fifteen second lead over Richard. The three asymmetrics were making slow progress downwind and were a little way behind. Chris held the lead to take both line honours and the race win. Adrian (D-One) recovered from a poor first lap, crossing the line next with Richard a few seconds behind and on corrected time was second.

The race team executed a slight course change before race two to compensate for the tide and wind. By this time the wind had dropped to a F1-2.  Adam (Streaker) won the start and led the fleet from start to finish. Initially the chasing fleet were lead by Richard and Phil & Lorna (400) but after the final lap Adrian had moved up to second on the water with Dave (Vareo) and Richard one second apart at the line.  Adam scored a comfortable win on corrected time with Richard second

Thanks to Jamie and Richard for for a pleasant evenings sail. Once ashore Chef Brown served a selection of his ‘Butchers’ pies.

Full results are on the club web site

http://www.gygsc.org.uk/Results/2024/2024Thursday.htm

Pictures on the club Flickr site

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

Phil ‘luvvin’ the Laser !!

The forecasted mist must have cleared early as Gorleston was bathed with sunshine when we arrived for Act 4 of the Spring series, a pleasant change from the previous few weeks.

The wind began as a F2 increasing to F3-4 by the end of the day. With low water at 13.45 it meant a beat into the tide so a tough day for the hiking boats.

Steve turned up with his latest WMD, a lovely wooden ‘Unit’ class dinghy which Steve obviously had spent considerable time working on. Apparently only 10 were ever made and Steve has two of them. This was going to prove an upgrade to his ‘Pocket Rocket’ Europe and will be now referred to as Steve’s Saturn V.

Racing about to commence

Race One – wind still F2 but increased throughout the race. RS700 Phil made quick work of the beat to lead by some distance at the line. After lap one Dave & John led Richard & Rosie by a few seconds. Just behind, the rest of the fleet were closely packed with Saturn V just ahead.

Richard & Rosie moved into second position on the next lap and held this to the line. Steve was taming the Saturn V finding some good upwind speed putting in two quick final laps.

Jostling for position

Race 2 – wind around F3 and now SSE. The RS700 did a horizon job eventually lapping some. The leading RS400’s were joined by the Saturn V at the windward mark, which was matching them upwind. Just behind Nick, sailing his Phantom led pack of three boats. The RS700 was so far ahead Phil earned an extra lap so the first boat to cross the line was the RS400 of Dave & John with Saturn V just pipping Richard & Rosie. The long beats suited Phil in his Contender as he pulled ahead of the other to finish forth. Richard had a potentially boat damaging incident when the shroud broke on his RS Vareo whilst flying the spinny, some quick reactions pulling the spinny down avoided any problems.

The asymmetrics lead downwind

Race Three – Wind still a steady F3, after lap one the RS700 had a lead of nearly two minutes. The conditions were proving ideal for the Saturn V with Steve enjoying some close sailing with the RS400’s, at the line only a few seconds separated the three of them.

On corrected time the upwind speed of the Saturn V proved good enough to win all three races. The RS700 scored three seconds, and very close on time to the Saturn V in the first two races. Third place honours were shared by the RS400’s.

Thanks to the race team for a great days sailing. It proved to be a tiring day for the hiking boats.

Results are on the club web site http://www.gygsc.org.uk/Results/2024/2024Spring.htm