Reports 2019

Gunfleet Sailing Club welcomed members of neighbouring Clacton Sailing Club last Sunday 30 June when the pursuit race for The Chase Trophy was held.  The race is based on staggered starts, the slowest handicapped craft leaving first, followed by the next slowest etc., until the fastest handicapped competitors complete the order of play.  This meant, based on a 12:30 p.m. finish, that the first start was the Topper at 11:00 a.m. and the last was the Hurricane 5.9 SX some 44 minutes later.

Members of the Gunfleet Sailing Club enjoyed some exciting sailing, in the single-handed race for the Toppo Trophy last Sunday 23 June, with John Tappenden taking the honours in his RS Aero.

Lively conditions did not deter members of the Gunfleet Sailing Club from entering the race for the London Trophy last Sunday 16 June which, after a well fought battle, was won by Ken Potts.

Gunfleet Sailing Club’s Ken Potts took the winning gun in his Laser when taking part in race five of the Tony Chadd Trophy Series.

Gunfleet Sailing Club held its 2019 Regatta on Sunday 2 June with a full day of racing and many visiting sailors.

Gunfleet Sailing Club held the race for the Jubilee Cup with Yvonne Gough taking her Laser to victory.

Gunfleet Sailing Club welcomed over 50 visitors on Saturday 18 May when it held its “Push The Boat Out” taster day.  In absolutely ideal weather conditions the public had a chance to take to the water and discover the fun to be had from sailing dinghies off the coast of Holland on Sea.  All ages took part and the day was heralded a great success by the members and visitors alike.

The weather conditions were practically perfect, last Sunday 12 May, for Gunfleet Sailing Club holding the fifth and final race of its Spring Series.  A force three east-north easterly breeze, sunshine, clear skies and blue seas greeted the eager competitors as they jostled for position on the line.  The whole fleet started on starboard tack, with a tight bunch at the Outer Distance Mark; Clare Giles leading the dinghies in her Europe.

Gunfleet Sailing Club held the race for the Wallet Trophy over the May Bank-Holiday with Andy Cornforth taking his Laser to victory.

Gunfleet Sailing Club members were doubtful that they would be getting on the water, with Storm Hannah pushing winds up to 47 mph last Saturday 27 April, but by Sunday morning things had calmed down sufficiently for the third race in the Spring Series to take place.  There was still a strong, and gusty, westerly wind blowing and the Officer of the Day laid a temporary buoy to ensure the competitors had all points of sailing and, in particular, a beat.

Gunfleet Sailing Club held the second race in the Spring Series last Sunday 21 April, in almost perfect conditions.  With unbroken sunshine and a force four north-easterly breeze, the competitors set off up the coast to the Kingscliff buoy.  Leading the fleet was Andy Cornforth in his Laser, with Paul Stanton, also in a Laser, just behind and closing the gap.  The two Comets found the freshening wind a bit too much and both helms called it a day.

Gunfleet Sailing Club’s first race in its Spring Series got off to a flying start last Sunday 14 April with a convincing win for Ken Potts in his Laser.

Gunfleet Sailing Club celebrated the start of the 2019 sailing season when it held the Fitting-Out Supper in a packed Clubhouse.  Following the traditional meal of Fish and Chips and chocolate gateau the Commodore Richard Walker thanked all those members that had helped at cliff clearance and during the Work Weekend.  The members then raised a glass to a successful 2019.

Gunfleet Sailing Club toasted the start of the 2019 Sailing Season with its annual Fitting-Out Supper last Saturday 30 March.  Commodore Richard Walker welcomed over 40 members to the traditional fish and chip meal, plus a calorie-busting gateau and cream as sweet.  He went on to thank those members that had helped get the Club ready for the coming season, either at the Cliff Clearance Day or the Work Weekend, and looked forward to some fine sailing in the months to come.  A big thanks went to the House and Wines Committee for organising the event, and the merriment

The Gunfleet Sailing Club was full last Saturday 2 February evening when members celebrated the Chinese New Year in style, with a lavish Chinese meal.  The Clubhouse was decorated for the occasion, with a strong oriental theme, and everyone was presented with details of the animal of the year they were born; for 2019 it is the Year of the Pig.