More Exciting Racing With Tim Claiming Victory

Last Sunday 22 September Gunfleet Sailing Club held the last in its 3-in-1 events this season when the results of three short races, sailed back to back, combine to determine overall positions, and with two firsts and a second it was Tim Dye that took his RS Aero to victory.

A little bit of light rain prior to rigging-up did not deter the competitors, and with a force 2 to 3 north-easterly breeze and strong flood tide the sailors launched into a slightly murky north-sea.  With a clean start, the first race got underway, lead by Brian Allen, with Dye and Martin Chivers just behind him, all three in their RS Aeros.  It was clear to all the helms that, on the first leg, which was a beat up the coast to the Kingscliff buoy, the only way to maximise boat speed against the strong tide was to stay close to the shore; the advantage coming to those that could tack with little loss of boat speed and who best judged their layline as they made for the Kingscliff buoy.  First to round the mark was Dye, followed by Pedder and the two made the second buoy, at Preston Park, in one.  Unfortunately the wind then veered easterly and the rest of the fleet found themselves having to put in a further tack.  Slightly further back was Paul Jackson in his Laser, followed by the Comet of Chris Maloney, then Andy Stafford in his Lightning and Finley Taylor’s Topper.  The third leg was a broad reach down the coast to the Lilley Farm buoy and this gave the opportunity for John and Sarah Heath to hoist the asymmetric spinnaker on their RS200.  Following a quick gybe the craft headed in to the Eastcliff buoy and, by hardening-up, sailed close hauled back to the line where Dye came first, followed by Pedder and then Allen.

The second race saw Chivers leading the fleet at the start, with Allen close-by, and Paul Stanton next in his Laser.  Although having a poor start, Dye fought his way through the fleet and rounded the Kingscliff buoy first, Allen remaining second, and the Heaths third.  However, the angle of the wind didn’t favour the RS200 on the downwind leg and Pedder slipped by them; at the end of this race it was Dye first again, Allen second, and Stanton third.

The third and final race had the Heaths leading from the start, Allen and the Chivers close behind, but again the reach from Preston Park to Lilley farm did the RS200 no favours and allowed Dye and Pedder to get in front.  Sailing quietly into first place, at the end of the race, was Stanton, Dye second, and Pedder third; overall the trophy going to Dye.  

Hertford County Shield:
1.    RS Aero – Tim Dye
2.    Laser – Paul Stanton
3.    RS Aero – Derroll Pedder