Reports – Page 9 – Gt Yarmouth & Gorleston Sailing Club

Gorleston Ne’ Hopton Race

Following on from a hot week it seemed like everyone was heading to the beach, Gorleston was having one of the busiest days of the year as it would be for the Gorleston members. As the ribs were pulled on to the beach disaster struck as wheel failed on the orange rib which would have to join the public and spend the day on the beach. With a lets go sailing attitude, a brief consultation, some rearranging of safety boats and a call to Hugh GYGSC’s 4^th Emergency service, we were ready to go. sailing. It was decided to abandon the planed passage race to Hopton and sail a more local course.

Race 1 – Finally got under way at 12:30 in fairly slack tide with a Light breeze and coming from the east. Phil in his 700 leading from Richard and Ed Brown Rs400 then Don in his D1 out for the first time this year. The Single handers and the rest of the fleet closely bunched a couple of minutes behind. As the Race continued Phil pulled away enough to earn an extra lap but would be pipped on corrected time by Carl in the Laser then David Solution just ahead of Nick Phantom and Richard and Ed in 5^th.

Race 2 – The wind was just picking up and had swung a tad more to the south, Roger guest helm in the RS500 was keen to start, so keen he got to do it twice in the one race. Phil 700 was just managing to wire both up and down the course with the rest of the asymmetric still soaking downwind The extra wind meant it was 4 laps for the fleet with Phil managing to Lap about half the boats on his 5^th lap. It was enough for Phil to take the win from Carl in his laser and with David missing Race 2 it was Nick thenthe Browns in 3^rd and 4^th.

Race 3 – Required a mark move as the wind swung further south and with the tide now Ebbing the Sea was getting a little lumpy. The hoped for the Sea breeze never arrived and the wind strength drop a notch. The order over the course was pretty much the same but the Laser and Solution finding the conditions less favourable. I the middle of the pack Don and Roger were having a close battle until Don hooked a spinnaker sheet on his kicker fitting and when for an untimely swim. Richard Foster and guest crew Daniel would have there best race of the day and after 3 laps would finish on 3^rd behind Phil, the Browns then Nick and Carl.

Phil took the honours for the Day, followed by Carl and Richard and Ed. The Fleet headed back in to address the boat on the beach. Another call to Hugh and some boat and trailer swapping and everything was soon back in the dinghy park, and it was time for Pie.

So after a great day on the water, it’s thanks the race team Steve and Darrel and with a massive thankyou to Hugh’s recovery service and a pre thank you to Phil in fabrication, it was just the traffic to deal with especially for those heading back down the acle straight and beyond. (I suspect Phil did not be take the win in that race.)

Full Results here……

See you all next week for the Regatta

Thursday 10th June – Lasers rule !

After a rather calm morning the wind did eventually arrive and by late afternoon there was a warm F3 from the south. There was a good turnout of fourteen boats, due to both the arrival of visitors and turnout of the asymmetric fleet.

However, by the time we were lining up for the racing the wind had eased to a F2 and the flood tide was in full flow making short work of the beat.

Race one – Team Brown (RS400) and Phil (RS700) were early leaders closely followed by Curtis (RS700) and Roger & Keith (RS500). However, close behind were visitors Simon and Bruce in their Lasers who took the first two places on corrected time with Mark (wishing he had picked the full rig) in the club Laser Radial third.

Phil took an early lead in race two with Team Brown in hot pursuit. Three boats were vying for third and after the first lap, one second separated Roger & Keith, Big Phil (Phantom) and Don & Hattie (RS400). Once again the Lasers were holding their own and it was another 1,2,3 for them with Simon recording another first, Bruce second and Mark third on corrected time.

The final race of the day proved to be a sprint, with just one lap. Phil and Team Brown once again leading the fleet, with Phil crossing the line five seconds ahead. However, it was proving a difficult evening for the asymmetrics to hold their handicaps and Simon and Bruce took another 1,2. However the Laser stranglehold of the podium places was broken with Dan, sailing the club Solution third, having improved every race and obviously getting to grips with the boat.

Many thanks to Phil ‘A’ for stepping in as Race Officer, a lovely evening to be on the water and followed supper by Mr Brown on the prom.

Full Results Here……….

Beach Regatta 2021

Gt Yarmouth and Gorleston Sailing Club Beach Regatta 2021

Thursday Evening Regatta

Thursday 17th June -– Start time 7pm

This is likely to be 2 or 3 races over a shorter inshore course than Sundays and with usually lighter evening winds a great opportunity to race on the sea.

Visitors are welcome to leave their boats in the dinghy park until the weekend if attending the Beach Regatta (subject to available spaces)

Beach Regatta Regatta

Saturday 19th June – Start time 13:00 (Briefing 12:00)

Sunday 20th June – Start Time 10:30

This is our main open event of the year with 3 races back to back each day.

Directions to GYGSC can be found on the club website (About/Location)

After sailing on Saturday there will be Fish & Chips on the prom if you would like to stay.

Any Questions please contact info@gygsc.co.uk

Entry for visitors will be Day Membership, which is £5 per person per day.

Please do feel Free to display this poster at your club.

Triad Series – Act 1

It was the first instalment of the 2021 Triad series. With many members otherwise engaged in either Half term, Open meetings or the 3 Rivers Race and with a less than ideal forecast it was great to see Ribs ready to go (thanks Steve) and the a few members already out paddling when the rest of the race team rolled up at 9:20. The Sun was out, a flat sea and not great deal of wind. Not that much later the Becketts pulled up with 2 lasers and some breeze. With everyone soon changed and boats on the water a F2 form the SW the race ream set the triangle course with the wing mark slightly further offshore than the windward one.

Race 1 – got underway just after eleven, with the bulk of the fleet heading along the coast to avoid the ebbing tide. Carl in the club Solution heading offshore, the RS400 of Richard/ Mark soon eased away from the fleet. The 2 Phil’s next round and Simon in the Laser ahead of the rest. Carl then suffered gear breakage and had to retire, but with some quick on water repairs would be back for Race 2&3. At the end of Lap 3 Richard was now well in lead an earned himself a bonus lap.

With everyone quite spaced out the Win went to Richard, with Guests Simon and Bruce in 2^nd and 3^rd. (1 up for Dad)

Race 2 – Got underway with and with a slight increase in wind to maybe F3, it was all going to be a much tighter affair. Mark at the helm of the 400, still out ahead on the water, the rest of the fleet bunched up to complete lap one This Time Bruce 20 seconds ahead of Dad. After 3 laps Mark crossed first (Would it be enough for the win) Phil H and Christine in 2^nd and Phil A 3^rd, Bruce crossed 21 seconds ahead of Simon the rest not far behind. After Correction 1 min separated the top 5 with Steve just 1 seconds ahead of Bruce and Simon 3^rd and Mark talking a worthy 4^th

Race 3 got under way with the wind still building a after lap one shifting slightly further south, this meant it was easier to fly the kite on the 2^nd legs, The race would be a very tight affair, Bruce hold a 20 second lead on Simon after both lap 1 and 2, At the finish that gap had closed to just 7 seconds but Bruce had the family bragging rights for the day. It was Just 30 seconds separating the top 4 Steve in his Europe 3 seconds ahead of Richard and Bruce the Simon in the Lasers.

All back safely ashore for Fish, Chips and a little Fiz and to admire Lorna’s new ring. A great day on the water and hope to see Bruce and Simon back soon.

Full Results Here………. (Updated with Steve retired form Race 2 & 3)

Three winners and a proposal !

Sunday was the last of the Spring series and at times when the sun managed to find a gap in the clouds it felt more like summer. Any one of five crews was in with a shout for overall honours so all to play for in the final days racing.

With a pleasant F3 from for NE the race team set a good sized windward –leeward course and with the tide still in full flood it would be a good beat, particularly for the slower boats.

With the wind increasing gradually throughout the day and slack water for the final race the changing conditions would suit all boats at some point which was evident with three different winners in three different class of boat.

Lovely conditions for the start of racing

Race one saw most teams stick close to shore before heading out to the windward mark. Richard and Robyn (RS400) judged this perfectly to lead at the windward mark, closely followed by Dave & John (400). These two enjoyed a race long tussle with the latter slipping pass in the third lap taking line honours with Richard & Mark (400) finishing third. On corrected time Dave & John beat Nick(Phantom) by just six seconds with Steve (Europe) beating Richard & Robyn by twelve seconds for third

After lap one of the second race, Dave & John held a small lead over Nick who was heading off a trio of 400’s close behind him. Over the next three laps Nick exchanged places the 400’s several times but managed to cross the line just ahead with Richard & Robyn just ahead of Phil & Lorna(400). However, the two ‘slower’ boats had managed to stay in contention with Steve(Europe) taking the win on corrected time and Keith (Laser) second, beating Nick by just two seconds

By the start of the final race it was slack water inshore although still some tide offshore.

After lap one Dave & John held a small lead over Richard & Mark. Close behind them and rounding the leeward gate just two seconds apart were Nick, Richard & Robyn and Phil & Lorna, with Tom & David (505) not far behind. At the line Dave & John just lead Richard & Mark and Nick sailed well to hold off the charge of the 400’s and 505.

On corrected time Nick won by seven seconds from Steve with Dave & John third

Many thanks to the race team for a super days sailing, great conditions and an excellent course which proved a good test for everyone and opportunity for all boats. The team were also busy taking photo’s which are now on the club Flickr page – all 109 of them !

Well done to Nick for winning the Spring Series, managing to count only firsts and seconds toward his tally.

Next week is the first instalment of the Triad series.

Finally, and the best story of the day, after the last race, sailing the 400 back to shore, Phil got down on one knee and proposed. Many congratulations to Phil and Lorna, hope you have a long and happy voyage ahead of you.

Full results here

Thursday evening 27th May

Thankfully the forecast for the wind to drop to 5 mph never happened and the small fleet who ventured out enjoyed a sunny evening with a F2 from the East.

In race one Richard & Dave had a good first beat and held a small lead in their Xenon after the first lap, closely followed by ‘Team Brown’ in their 400 and Phil in the club Phantom. On lap two Team Brown took a narrow lead on the Xenon with Phil a little further behind and now joined by Curtis in his 700. On the final lap Team Brown had opened up a good lead crossing the line clear ahead of Richard & Dave. On corrected time the Xenon claimed the win with Team Brown nine seconds ahead of Mark in the club Laser.

Team Brown quickly sailed into a clear lead in race two followed by Curtis, with Mark working the shifts on the beat well to be only 18 seconds behind after the first lap. By the finish Team Brown crossed the line over two minutes clear, with Curtis second and the rest of the fleet closely grouped with Mark hanging on to lead the pack over the line. On corrected time Mark just pipped Team Brown by 11 seconds for the win.

Thanks to Adrian for ‘OOD-ing’, providing a very pleasant evenings sailing and also for acting as unofficial photographer (pictures now on club firckr site)

Full results here

Spring Series Act 6

There were lovely blue skies on arrival at the club for Act 6 of the Spring Series. The sea was surprisingly flat considering the recent high winds and a F2-3 wind from somewhere between S and SW !

The race team set a good sized Windward Leeward course and with the tide still ebbing it was a long beat into the tide.

In the first race the fleet split with some heading inshore and some choosing to stay offshore. The wind was very shifty, at times it was almost possible to be heading directly to the windward mark until being headed as the wind returned to the South. Phil (700), Nick (Phantom) and Dave & John (400) headed the fleet followed by Phil & Lorna (400). Behind a three way battle between Steve (Europe), David ( Solution) & Keith ( Laser Rad). After the first two laps there was little between the first three however on the final two laps Phil managed to open up a gap on Dave & John who were just one minute ahead of Nick. Keith lead Steve home by just over a minute with David just behind.

On corrected time Nick had a comfortable win with Dave & John second and Phil third.

In line with the forecast the wind picked up for race two, but still varying between S – SW. Phil opened up a good lead on the first lap however, on the second downwind leg the wind shifted and increased. This resulted in Phil approaching the leeward gate low and having to drop his kite early in order to pass through it. Dave & John had gybed earlier and managed to carry the kite all the way allowing them to slip pass momentarily as Phil sailed past on the next windward leg. The downward legs were proving difficult to navigate for the asymmetrics with the regularly shifting wind which was also varying between F2-F4. Meanwhile Nick was very close and again won on corrected time, this time two minutes ahead of Dave & John. Steve managed to sail the Europe well clear of Keith and David, managing a third on corrected time.

With the forecast predicting strong winds by early afternoon it was decided to head back ashore after the second race which turned out to be a good move. By the time boats were being pulled back up the beach the wind had increased noticeably and soon the sea state had worsened.

Thanks to the race team, tricky day for them and a testing day for sailors.

Full results here

Spring Series Act 5

A much warmer day on the water for the race team and the 10 boats that launched. The forecast for light winds at midday never materialised and the wind gradually increased from a F2 to F4. Although overcast for much of the day we did have several sunny periods, a short spell of rain and some hail once we arrived back onshore. The wind was shifty and mainly South-ish, plenty of shifts kept everyone focussed.

For race one the race team set a Triangular course taken to Starboard to the approval of many a single hander sailor. With the tide still flooding most of the fleet headed offshore on the beat to the windward mark. Phil, sailing his RS700 quickly took the lead closely followed by Dave & John in their RS400, these two opening up a good lead on the rest of the fleet. Behind, a four way battle between Curtis (RS700), Nick (Phantom), Steve (D-One) and Phil & Lorna in their trusty RS400. On lap two Nick opened up a small lead on the others crossing the line just ahead of Steve. Behind Phil (Contender) and David (Solution) were swapping places with David leading after lap two and Phil slipping pass on the final lap crossing the line two seconds ahead. On corrected time Dave & John just beat Phil, with Nick claiming third.

For race two the race team switched back to our customary Windward-Leeward course. The fleet were closely bunched up the first leg with Dave & John a short way ahead of Phil (RS700). Unfortunately for Dave & John they failed to notice the change to Port course and arriving first at the windward mark promptly rounding the wrong way. The rest of the fleet apparently had noticed and rounded correctly and headed downwind. By this time the wind had increased to a F4 and the sea had built up a tad to provide some great surfing downwind.

Phil (700) led after the first lap but decided to head back inshore. Dave & John had a good downwind leg slipping into second place. Tom & Will, sailing their 505 joined us for race two and were vying for third with Nick.

With the tide just about to turn the sea state had increased a tad and a few succumbed to their first ‘swim’ of the year. After four laps Dave & John crossed the line a couple of minutes ahead of Nick who had managed to pull clear of Tom & Will after a trawling of their spinnaker. David had kept the Solution going nicely downwind and finished third on corrected time with Dave & John beating Nick by just five seconds for first.

Big thanks to the race team, a tricky day with a shifting wind requiring a change of position for the windward mark in race two but probably the best sailing conditions we’ve had this year. Pawel’s new toy, a nifty pocket Anemometer recorded 17-18 knots on the water, and by the time we made it ashore the wind had increased further as there were a few white horses to be seen.

Full results here

Thursday Evening sailing commences

There was a chilly ENE F3 breeze on the first Thursday evenings sail. Seven boats launched including new members Rob & Tom in their Xenon. We were lucky enough to have a few sunny periods but the evening finished with grey skies and a noticeable drop in temperature.

The race team managed to squeeze in two races sailed over Windward –Leeward courses.

In race one Richard & Ed, aka Team Brown raced ahead in their RS400 finishing just ahead of Curtis I his RS700. Behind a trio of Lasers and a Solution vied for next place with Dave leading at the finish.

Race 2 and Curtis managed to get clear ahead at the start and led throughout the race hotly pursued by Team Brown. Behind Dave led the others closely followed by Mark in a Club Laser.

Many thanks to the race team for a great evenings sailing but please turn the thermostat up next week.

Full results here

Spring Series Act 3

Another chilly day on the water for the race team, although we did have some sunny periods and the wind was stronger than the light winds forecast making for a good days sailing, plus it kept dry! Twelve boats ventured out with the predominant trend towards singlehanders continuing. The racing was close all day with a different winner in each race.

The wind did it’s now customary big shift as we started race one, shifting from the North to NE. This made for a rather one sided beat. Phil led the fleet to the windward mark in his RS700. However, as he approached the wind faded and shifted back for a short while allowing Dave and John to nip pass in their RS400, closely followed by Richard Fryer in his RS300 and Nick in his Phantom. With the race team shortening the race it was a quick reach to the finish line. Eight seconds separated the top three with the order reversed on corrected time and Nick claiming top spot just ahead of Richard.

Once the race team moved the windward mark race two got underway. Phil made big gains on the long beats into the tide and opened up a big lead, eventually lapping most of the fleet. Keith (Laser) and David (Solution) had a race long tussle with Keith leading for the first two laps but David overtaking on the final lap but unable to open the gap enough to save his handicap. Phil claimed the win with Dave & John second

Richard & Ed (RS400) nailed the start in race three taking an early lead although Phil soon powered pass to sail another lonely race out front. Behind a three way battle between two RS400’s and Curtis in his RS700. Dave & John eventually opening up a gap and Team Brown finishing just ahead of Curtis. Behind them, Steve (D-One), Contender Phil, Richard and Nick were batting for position…. but Steve was only short distance behind in his Europe. Contender Phil managed to cross the line ahead of the group but Steve earned the win on corrected time just pipping Phil.

Thanks to the race team for a great days sailing even if it was a bit chilly !

Full results here