405 Gets A Flying Start

Gunfleet Sailing Club held the fourth race in its Spring Series last Sunday 26 April in a chilly north/north-easterly force three wind.  The competitors, whilst rigging, had to contend with a steady drizzle but fortunately this ceased just as the five minute class flag was hoisted.  It was good to see the Hobie 405 fleet back on the water and it was Beth Elliott, with Sailing Secretary Paul Davis crewing, that got a cracking start; the bow of their boat being a hair-breadth from the line.  Starting at the Inner Distance Mark the couple held back the opposition, as the boats beat up the coast to the windward buoy, almost to the first mark.  It was then a run the seaward buoy before a beat back up the coast.  Leading the Lasers was veteran sailor Andy Dunnett but unfortunately he capsized on the second run, losing a few minutes righting the boat.  A reach then followed, before a short beat back through the line, and at the end of the first lap Simon Clarke and Emily Cossens had carved-out a modest lead.  The skies brightened a little on the second and lap Dunnett clawed his way back up the fleet, making up for his earlier mishap; however he had to be content with second position after some fine spinnaker work from Clarke and Cossens, which gave them a clear victory.