Reports 2018
Saturday 15 December saw onshore winds gusting up to 51 mph and freezing rain lashing down, but that didn't deter the members of Gunfleet Sailing Club from joining the Gunfleet Christmas Party. The decorated Clubhouse was warm and cosy, the festive food was fabulous and the Prosecco corks popped and a wide array of drinks flowed as everyone had a great time. A seasonal table quiz kept people scratching their heads, and the selection of Christmas jumpers was a sight to behold.
Gunfleet Sailing Club held its Annual General Meeting last Sunday, at the Clubhouse, when Commodore Richard Walker looked back at another busy and successful year for the Club.
Gunfleet Sailing Club celebrated the end of the 2018 sailing season last Saturday with its Laying-Up Dinner and Dance at Clacton on Sea Golf Club. Club Commodore Richard Walker welcomed everyone and looked back at another very successful year for the Club, with its mix of racing and cruising, including the Comet Class Association Championship, the two-day Gunfleet Regatta, sponsored by Discount Windows and Conservatories of Clacton, and the Gunfleet Cadet Week, sponsored by Orsted Energy. The Club’s Cadet and Otter sail training had also proved very popular.
Gunfleet Sailing Club’s race for the Tee Dee Challenge Trophy on Sunday 4 November saw Ken Potts claim victory in his Laser.
Gunfleet Sailing Club members enjoyed summer-like conditions when they took part in the race for the Bill Clarke Shield last Sunday 21 October; the event being won by John Tappenden in his Laser.
Gunfleet Sailing Club members played catch-up last Sunday 7 October on a backlog of races previously postponed due to bad weather. The race, this time, was for the Bill Geddes Trophy and, for the second week running, the winner was Ken Potts in his Laser.
Gunfleet Sailing Club’s final race in its Autumn Series saw Ken Potts claiming victory in both the race and the series overall.
Gunfleet Sailing Club’s second race of its Autumn Series was held last Sunday 16 September in blustery conditions with the eventual winner being Laser sailor Yvonne Gough.
A force five, gusting six south/south-westerly wind greeted the competitors and the main discussion, particularly for the Laser sailors, was which rig to use. The end decision was a mix of radial and 4.7 sails, whilst for a number of other helms there was no choice, except the standard sail provided with the class.
It was a busy weekend for Gunfleet Sailing Club, Saturday 8 September being the turn of the Cadets and Otters when some 20 young members took part in the Gunfleet Splash; an all day event for Toppers, Topazes and 405 dinghies.
Gunfleet Sailing Club held its Fleet Championship race, on Sunday 2 September, against a summer’s day backdrop with Andy Dunnett winning the event in his Laser.
The Bank-Holiday weather caused quite a bit of disruption to the Gunfleet Sailing Club’s programme but it still managed to hold a couple of races over the three days. On Monday the previously postponed race for the March Hare Trophy got underway in lively conditions, with a good force five, gusting six, westerly wind blowing. As the boats jockeyed for position prior to “the off” it looked like Robert Gutteridge in his Laser was going to lead the fleet, but he was just seconds too early and found himself the wrong side of the line.
Gunfleet Sailing Club held the first race in its Cadet SOS – Sailing On Saturday Class Points Series with some very impressive sailing by the young members. Toppers were first to class away and it was Lauren Hooper that appeared to have the perfect start but being ahead of everyone else, and right on the line as the final second counted down, convinced her to tack back, just in case. Alfie Searles then lead the fleet of seven Toppers, with Harry Swinbourne and Jess McLean-Wright both level pegging just behind him.
Gunfleet Sailing Club members made the most of the evening breeze to take part in the race for the Tony Chadd Trophy, with John Tappenden taking his new RS Aero into the top place.
Gunfleet Sailing Club’s 2018 Regatta, sponsored by Clacton Discount Windows and Conservatories, was hailed a total success by all those taking part, with a wide selection of Trophy winners following a weekend of very enjoyable sailing and fun and games, both on and off the water.