The day started with clear skies and a F3 from the north. A flat sea suggested it would be a pleasant day on the water for the Start of Season. With the temperature reaching the lower teens it did feel summer like but a dip in the water quickly reminded you it was very early season, a good reason to stay upright.
Twelve boats launched comprising of several classes ranging from Izzy’s Laser Radial to the Spitfire sailed by Team Ed. The Vareos mustered the biggest fleet with three boats on the water.
The tide was still flooding at the start of race one. Team Ed soon led the fleet and sail off into the distance. Most headed inshore up the beat which apart from less tide saw a wind shift near the beach. Dave & John (400) led the chasing pack just ahead of Phantom Nick and the 400 of Phil & Lorna. Further behind the Vareos were having a close battle with Richard leading Keith by five seconds after the first lap. After lap two Aero Phil had caught up the leading pack and now battling with Nick. Solution Paul was a short distance behind the main pack and Vareo Richard still led Keith by a few seconds. After four laps Dave & John led the dinghies across the line with Aero Phil just beating Phantom Nick by four seconds. Team Ed managed to lap the entire fleet sailing five laps. On corrected time Aero Phil had a comfortable win with Solution Paul second and Steve third in his Europe.
By the time race two started it had clouded over, the wind had picked up to a F4 and shifted a tad to the east. The sea state had become noticeably ‘lumpier’. It was close to HW so the tide had eased a lot. Team Ed sailed another lonely race out in front, lapping almost the entire fleet. Dave & John led the pack with Nick never far behind. The downwind leg provided a great leg for the asymetrics with some exhilarating blasts and fast speeds recorded. The Solutions were having a close tussle with Paul leading after lap one, Richard leading after lap two and a photo finish on the line which went Paul’s way. On corrected time Steve’s pocket rocket took a comfortable win. The next six places were close with Team Ed second and Aero Phil second.
Keith was the easiest to spot. Dave & John enjoying a blast during race 2
Several boats decided to head back to the beach early so race three had a much reduced fleet. Team Ed led once again. The race team opted to shorten the race. Team Ed and managed to hold their time on handicap, with Aero Phil just beating Phantom Nick for second place.
After a mixture of conditions we had three different race winners. Overall, Team Ed and Aero Phil were tie on three points each with Team Ed winners of the SOS Trophy by virtue of winning the final race.
A few boats were carrying trackers, unsurprisingly Team Ed recorded the fastest time of 15.6 knots but adjusting for handicap club Commodore Richard recorded the best with 11.9 knots in his Vareo.
Full results http://www.gygsc.org.uk/Results/2026/2026SOS.htm
More pictures on the club Flickr site – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gygsc/albums/with/72177720333188767
Team Ed, winners of the SOS Trophy
And finally, thanks to Trevor. who did a sterling job hauling the RIB’s