Sadly another season at Gorleston comes to an end but the weather played ball and the 10 crews who ventured out had a lovely day on the water.
After a short delay to the start the Race team gave the heads up to launch by which time the sky had cleared and stayed so until we got back ashore.
The SW wind provided a good test of skill and patience with shifts, gusts and lulls a plenty, which introduced many opportunities to gain and lose places. It was a good day for the singlehanders who made up the majority of the fleet and took the top two podium places.
Don & Richard (RS400) were the start line masters of the day being in prime position in both starts. In race one they were clean away and led after lap one. Behind were Dave & John (RS400) and Richard & Robyn (RS400) who enjoyed three laps of close sailing. Not too far behind was Nick ( Phantom) who remained within a minute behind the 400’S for most of the race and Mark, sailing the club Laser who put in a quick final lap and winning the race on corrected time with Nick making it a 1,2 for the singlehanders
Team Ed joined race two and soon opened up a huge lead in their Spitfire, eventually lapping the entire fleet. Don & Richard again had pole position on the starting blocks and led the chasing pack up the first beat with Richard & Robyn and Phil & Lorna and Mark all close behind. After lap one the Spitfire lead by over two minutes with Dave & John, having recovered from a badly timed start now leading the rest with Richard & Robyn, and Don & Richard just behind and rounding together. Only a few seconds behind them were Nick and Mark, with the latter having a great start and first beat. After the second lap Nick had managed to move ahead of Don & Richard and Mark was still only a few seconds behind..
On the third downwind leg Dave & John managed to catch a gust which eluded the others opening up a gap with Nick managing to pull ahead of both the other RS400’s.
Two quick laps in the final half of the race helped Nick to win by 20 seconds ahead of Mark on corrected time with Dave & John beating Team Ed. With both Nick and Mark finishing with a first and a second apiece, Nick was overall winner of the EOS trophy as winner of the final race.
Many thanks to the Race team of Tom and Pawel for a near perfect days sailing. Once back ashore Chef Brown served the final meal on the prom for this year. He and his helpers have done a great job throughout the season keeping us well fed after a day’s sailing. He will however have a night off on the forthcoming club dinner and prize giving when Chef’s Keith and Ed take charge.
Full results – http://www.gygsc.org.uk/Results/2022/2022EOS
Several pictures on the club Flickr site – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gygsc/albums