Reports 2024

Gunfleet Sailing Club held two races on Sunday 2 June 2024; one for faster handicapped boats, for the London Trophy, the other for slower handicapped boats, for the Potterers Pot.  The blue skies, sunshine and force three northerly wind attracted nineteen dinghies onto the water, and it was particularly pleasing to see six Toppers our there, all sailed by some of the Club’s Cadets.

This was definitely the calm after the storm, when Gunfleet Sailing Club members took part in the fifth race in the Tony Chadd Series last Wednesday evening, 29 May 2024; the previous Monday’s event having been disrupted by a sudden squall.

Gunfleet Sailing Club held the third race in its Class Points Series, on Bank-Holiday Monday 27 May 2024,, with each class of dinghy having its own start time, course and, on completion of the series, trophy.

After three successive Wednesday evening sails in almost perfect conditions, Gunfleet Sailing Club members were probably due for a slight change in the elements, and that is exactly what they got o 22 May 2024.  Plenty of cloud, some of which was dark and rain-threatening, plus a south westerly wind that gusted into a force six was what greeted the competitors as they launched into a grey and murky north-sea.

Gunfleet Sailing Club held the Ken Potts Pursuit Race on Sunday 19 May 2024 when seventeen dinghies took part; the race seeing staggered starts depending on the official RYA Portsmouth Yardstick.

For the third Wednesday running, the weather for evening racing on 15 May 2024 at Gunfleet Sailing Club proved just perfect; a force three east/north-easterly breeze, a slight sea, and the last of the day’s sunshine.

Gunfleet Sailing Club held one of its unique “3-in-1” races for the Wallet Trophy last Sunday 12 May; three short back to back races, with all three places counting to the overall result.

Another gorgeous Wednesday evening set the scene for the second race in the Gunfleet Sailing Club Tony Chadd Trophy Series on 8 May 2024.  A force two to three south-easterly wind, coupled with blue skies and the last of the day’s sunshine provided the backdrop for an enjoyable tussle.

Gunfleet Sailing Club held the race for the Coronation Trophy last Sunday 5 May, in glorious sunshine and blue skies but, sadly, very little wind.  It was Chris Maloney that got the best start in his Solo, followed By Robert Mitchell’s Laser, John Tappenden’s RS Aero, and Belle Hart’s Topper.  The fleet reached down the coast, very slowly, as they stemmed the strong ebb tide, and by the time they reached the first mark, at St. Michael’s, it was Dave Ingle leading in his RS Aero, followed by Tappenden, then Ken Potts in his Laser.

Fine weather greeted the start of the Wednesday evening racing, on 1 May, at Gunfleet Sailing Club and it was great to see twenty dinghies take to the water.  Such was the enthusiasm by the sailors that several found themselves on the wrong side of the line at the start and, immediately, the General Recall flag was hoisted.  Unfortunately, at the second start, one boat was still too eager and although the Individual Recall flag was broken out, the Laser sailor, Tim Dye, continued and was therefore disqualified.

Yet another day of unsettled weather greeted the members of Gunfleet Sailing Club on Sunday 28 April when they rigged-up for the final race of the Spring Series, and after a real battle round the buoys it was Simon Clarke that took his Europe to victory, both in the race itself and the series overall.

Gunfleet Sailing Club members were greeted by a flat sea and strong offshore winds, gusting up to force 6, last Sunday 21 April,  which meant it was going to be a lively sail.  Some members felt it might be a bit too much of a handful and decided to sit this one out, whilst others rigged-up with the appropriate sail to try and cope with the conditions.

Sunshine and a light breeze greeted members of the Gunfleet Sailing Club last Sunday, 14 April, as they rigged up their boats for the second race in the Spring Series.  Fifteen dinghies jostled for position on the line and at the start Martin Chivers was just over in his RS Aero but returned to correct his error in a matter of seconds.  John Heath led the fleet away, in his Laser, as they beat down the coast to the Eastcliff buoy, Simon Clarke alongside him in his Europe, whilst Tim Dye was marginally behind in his Laser.

Gunfleet Sailing Club burst into life, after its winter hibernation off the water.  Following a full Clubhouse for the traditional Fitting-Out Supper, it was up early the next morning for the first race of 2024, the appropriately named March Hare.  With a fresh force five, gusting six, north-easterly wind, a lot of sailors could only sit in the Clubhouse and watch; however, a few brave souls ignored the biting wind and rigged-up.

Gunfleet members sprung into life last Saturday and Sunday - 9 &10 March, eager to get the Club all ready for the start of the 2024 sailing season...which is just weeks away.  Saturday was bright and breezy, just right for creosoting the outside of the Clubhouse, whilst improvements were being made in the compound.  The water drainage system, from the Clubhouse roof, was given a complete upgrade, and the uneven boat space was brought on the level.