Strong tides and aching legs!!!
It was another lovely sunny day at Gorleston for Act 4 of the Summer series. Eleven boats took to the water for what was going to be a tough day on the water for the hiking boats!
With the wind from the NE and a strong flood tide it was easy to choose your route upwind, stick to the shore for as long as possible. Choosing at what point to head off shore to the windward mark proved decisive with most playing safe and over standing it.
David Brief (Shadow-X) quickly took the lead in race one opening up a big gap on the rest of the fleet. Chris Sallis & Matt Frary (Tasar) led the rest of the fleet showing great upwind speed which bodes well for their World Championship at Hayling Island later this month. Sam Briggs & Chris Haslam (29ER) sailed a good second lap to cross the line second. On corrected time Chris & Matt took the win with David second.
David had another lonely sail in race two eventually lapping a few boats and completing an extra lap. The RS400’s of Dave Houghton & John Symonds and Richard Brown & Robyn Ollington led the fleet on the first lap with just a few seconds between them. Further back Steve Whitby, sailing a Minisail, the slowest boat on the water by some margin was showing great tenacity on the long slogs up wind. His efforts were to be rewarded with a win on corrected time with Dave & John second.
Although race three started well after the forecasted high water the flood tide was still flooding. The long beats had taken their toll with a few boats returning to shore. David once again opened up a good lead on the fleet. Dave & John and Sam & Chris enjoyed a close battle for the first two laps with the latter opening up a gap on the final lap. Just behind Richard & Robyn were fighting it out with Nick Favell (D-0ne). On corrected time Dave & John just pipped Sam & Chris.
Many thanks to the race team of Tom, Will and Phil for an enjoyable but physically challenging days sailing.