Simon's Solution Sets the Scene

Last Wednesday evening 28 July 2010 members of the Gunfleet Sailing Club took part in the penultimate race in the series for the Tony Chadd Trophy.  Thirteen boats came to the start line, and in a fresh offshore breeze the craft were soon well on their way to the St. Michael’s buoy as they reached along the coast.  Once around this mark it was back to Eastcliff before heading out to the Seaward buoy.  As the boats headed offshore 10 year old Charlie Spence, sailing his Topaz single handed in his first race, was in amongst many of the other more experienced and older helms.  Also doing exceptionally well was Robert Gutteridge, another Club Otter, in his Topper.  After the first lap it was Kelvin Morton in first position in his RS600 but in an impressive demonstration of synchronised capsizing both he and Ken Potts, also sailing an RS600, tipped their craft over together on the second lap at the St. Michael’s mark.

In the Laser fleet it was veteran Andy Dunnett that led the class round the course whilst once again the friendly rivalry between father and son Simon and Sebastien Mathewson saw dad take fifth place in his Vortex whilst son had to satisfy himself with seventh in his Byte.  The loss in time of the two RS600’s allowed Simon Clarke to slip past and snatch victory overall in his Solution.

Results: Tony Chadd Trophy – 3
1. Solution – Simon Clarke
2. RS600 – Ken Potts
3. RS600 – Kelvin Morton