Ken Is "King of the Spring"

The fifth and final race in Gunfleet Sailing Club’s Spring Series was held last Sunday in lively conditions, with Ken Potts winning both the race and the series overall; beating 22 other competitors.

An east/south-easterly, force 4-5 gusting 6 wind greeted the dinghies as they flew up and down the line before the race, and as the start gun echoed across the water it was Potts that lead the fleet away in his Laser, with Andy Dunnett just behind in a Laser and then Derroll Pedder in a Solution.  The Fireball was the first to bail out in the lively conditions but the Lasers appeared to be lapping it up.  As the leading boats reached the Kingscliff buoy it was noticeable that Potts was only just in the lead, with Dunnett literally on his stern and Rob Lockett just leeward of Dunnett.  This was particularly interesting as all three Lasers had different rigs – Full, Radial, and 4.7 respectively.  But disaster struck Dunnett as he was close hauled on port tack, just about to round the mark, when he capsized; the freshly flooding tide, coupled with the wind direction, resulting in him having to tack back to the buoy, by which time several helms had passed him.  The very broad reach back to the AWS buoy saw all the boats absolutely “stonking along” and it seemed to take just a few minutes to complete this leg.  It was, unfortunately, at this time that the shackle holding the kicking strap on Pedder’s Solution broke and he was forced to retire with the boom just dangling for’ard having then jumped off the gooseneck.  Pushing hard, after a rather late start, was Jack Berry in the Topaz, really making it sing.  After the AWS it was a hard beat out to the Seaward buoy before a run to the Eastcliff mark, followed by a close haul back through the line.  Things started to settle down as the race went on but, being aware of the somewhat gruelling conditions, the Officer Of the Day shortened the course to three laps; Dunnett being so relieved that he capsized straight after crossing the finish line.  As the results were worked out it was Potts in first place, Lockett second and Dunnett third; all three sailing Lasers.

Results:
Spring Series - Overall:    
1.    Laser – Ken Potts
2.    Fireball – Jack and Elliot Berry
3.    405 – Tom and Ed Philpot

On the bank-holiday Monday, with a strong south-easterly wind blowing, the Club’s programme continued with Rescue Boat, Radio, and Winch Training.  On shore Vice-Commodore Dave Fowell demonstrated how to set-up the Club’s main RIB, and how the engine operates.  It was then onto the water with John Robertson, one of the Club’s members that is also a fully qualified RYA Powerboat Instructor, for some “hands-on” training, including “man-overboard”.  Back on shore Club Commodore Richard Walker explained how to operate the marine radio system in order to communicate between land and the Rescue Boats.  Finally there was training given on how to operate the winching system.