Bank Holiday Packed With Fun At Gunfleet

The May Bank Holiday Weekend saw victory for both John Tappenden and Andy Dunnett, both sailing Lasers, as Gunfleet Sailing Club had a full and varied programme of events.

The planned cruise for Saturday 26 May was cancelled with steady rain and a sea mist, but by the afternoon the skies had brightened and sunshine took control.  However, the wind had increased to a force 5 plus, with white caps providing a lovely picture, but from onshore.

On Sunday 27 May it was good to see so many entries for the Ken Potts Pursuit Challenge; a tricky race to run for the Officer of the Day as each class of dinghy sets off at different times, depending on their handicap and, at a set time the race concludes.

The force 4 to 5 North-Easterly wind and freshly ebbing tide kept everyone on their toes and with each lap taking-in the Kingscliff buoy, Seaward mark, AWS, and St. Michael’s buoy it was a fair course to power round.  For almost the whole of the first lap it was “girl-power” as Yvonne Gough lead all the competitors in her Laser, but just as the boats went through the line she had given way to Ken Potts and John Tappenden, also sailing Lasers.  In fact Lasers seemed to dominate with helms Andy Dunnett, Robert Lockett, and Eddie White all streaming behind; White hanging on in after an earlier capsize.  Positions changed in the second lap with Derroll Pedder and Michael Gutteridge nudging their GP14 in amongst the Lasers but Potts remained the lead boat, and apparently unstoppable.  But the old saying of never give up proved fortuitous for Tappenden when, in the third lap, he defied all logic and headed close to shore, so losing the beneficial lift of the tide.  Puzzling though this seemed it did allow Tappenden to slip around the Kingscliff buoy ahead of Potts and give him a two-boat length lead.  Try as he might, Potts was unable to regain top position, although an interesting game of constant tacking on the final leg kept Tappenden following suit in order to shadow his opponent. 

Results:  Ken Potts Pursuit Challenge:
1.    Laser – John Tappenden
2.    Laser – Ken Potts
3.    Laser – Andy Dunnett

On the Monday it was a chance for the Gunfleet to rerun the last race in its Spring Series, cancelled previously due to fog.  A very light onshore breeze made the sail a sedate affair although every ounce of effort was used to try and gain a good position.  A total of seventeen dinghies had entered one or more of the races and this time it was Peter Downer that sailed his Comet into the top position in the race, with Potts second in his Laser and Dave Fowell third in his Solo.  Unfortunately these results were not sufficient for Downer to take the overall top-spot and, despite coming fourth on the day, Dunnett took the Trophy overall.

Results:  Spring Series Overall:
1.    Laser – Andy Dunnett
2.    Comet – Peter Downer
3.    Laser – Tom Philpot

In the afternoon it was good to see so many of our female members down the Club for Ladies Who Launch.  The sun shone, there was a light breeze and a good time was had by all; the event made even better by scones, jam and thick cream, washed down with cafetiere coffee, all served on the Club veranda.