Jono And Finley Claim Victory in the Single Handed Races

Last Sunday 1 October, Gunfleet Sailing Club held two races, one for the Toppo Single Helm, and the other for the Cadet Single Helm, in a force four to five south/south-westerly wind and lumpy sea.

First away were the adult sailors and on a tight start line it was Dave Ingle who lead the fleet in his RS Aero, with Brian Allen and Jono Dunnett, both sailing Lasers, and the RS Aero of John Tappenden all windward of him and very bunched.  The first leg was a beat down the coast to the St. Michael’s buoy and with tide flooding it paid to be out at sea to gain the full benefit of this extra lift.  The tacking that then took place saw some places changing and, as the lead boats reached the first mark it appeared that Dunnett and Tappenden were practically neck and neck.  The second leg was a broad reach back to the Outer Distance Mark followed by a beat to the Lilley Farm buoy.  By now Dunnett had pulled away from Tappenden and, as the competitors beam reached out to The Seaward mark, the gap began to open.  At this point Eddie White retired in his Comet whilst Ingle found himself tussling with Paul Jackson sailing solo in his GP14.  The penultimate leg was a run from Seaward to Kingscliff buoy before hardening up and heading for the line.  At the end of the first lap it was clear that Dunnett had a comfortable lead, and during the second lap he just strengthened his position.  

Results – Toppo Single Helm:
1.    Laser – Jono Dunnett
2.    RS Aero – John Tappenden
3.    Laser – Brian Allen

Ten minutes after the race for the Toppo Trophy it was the turn of the Cadets and it was good to see Charlie and Izzie Heath out, having both just acquired Topper dinghies.  Belle Hart got off to a flying start in her Topper and lead the fleet to the windward mark at Eastcliff, before fetching out to the Lilley Farm buoy.  From there it was a reach to AWS and it was on rounding this that Finley Taylor slipped past Hart in his Topper to take the lead.  After a close tussle to the Preston Park buoy, Taylor began to pull away as the competitors reached in to the Kingscliff mark, but Hart closed the gap as they beat back to the line.  On the second lap Taylor, once again, pulled away and sailed home to a clean victory.

Results – Cadet Single Helm:
1.    Topper – Finley Taylor
2.    Topper – Belle Hart