First Race Of 2019 Sees Victory For Ken

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.

The first race, last Sunday 7 April, was for the March Hare Trophy and the rather disappointing weather did not dampen the enthusiasm of the competitors.  The boats drifted to the start line in a very light offshore wind, the grey overcast sky and low mist painting a rather drab picture.  Sitting right on the line was John Tappenden in his Laser, and he lead the fleet up the coast towards the first mark, Andy Dunnett, also in a Laser, alongside him, with Sonny Hart in his Blaze just behind.  The first leg, fighting a flood tide, was a tortuous affair but as they got nearer the mark so Rob Lockett slipped into the lead in his Blaze, holding this position as the fleet headed out to the Seaward buoy.  By now the rain was falling, reducing still further what little wind there was.  It wasn’t long though before three of the Lasers slipped ahead, only to be taken by Lockett as he rounded the offshore mark; disaster was to follow though and, in an unexpected gust, Lockett promptly capsized.  By now the rain had stopped and the wind suddenly picked up, catching Hart out, who also capsized his Blaze.  Skilfully Ken Potts had worked his way through the fleet in his Laser and was first to round the AWS buoy.  The beat from Seaward to AWS also gave a chance to Paul Stanton who, after a rather disappointing start, slowly picked-off his competitors in his Laser and was now laying in fourth place.  Behind them all were Dave Fowell and Mark Hayes in their GP14.

After a run out to sea, and a second beat to the line, it appeared that Potts had established a reasonable lead in the first lap.  A force three wind proved far more agreeable to the sailors, but try as the others might, they were unable to stop Potts from taking the top spot on the second and final lap. 

Results – March Hare Trophy:
1.    Laser – Ken Potts
2.    Laser – John Tappenden
3.    Laser – Andy Dunnett