Reports 2022

Jubilee celebrations at the Gunfleet Sailing Club on Friday 3 June were a twin hatted affair as the members raised a glass to both the Queen’s Platinum Year, and the Gunfleet’s Diamond anniversary.  Despite strong north-easterly winds, gusting to force six, the race for the Jubilee Trophy was held, with Ken Potts taking the winning gun in his Laser.

The weather had an almost winter feel to it when Gunfleet Sailing Club held two races last Sunday 29 May 2022.  Dark skies and a cold northerly wind greeted the competitors as they rigged their boats, coupled with a smattering of light showers.  The dinghies in the medium and fast fleet were first away, in the race for the London Trophy, and John Tappenden lead the way up the coast to the Kingscliff buoy, in his RS Aero, followed by father and son Andy and Jono Dunnett, both sailing Lasers; just behind them was the Laser of Robert Mitchell, and then Simon Clarke in his Solo.

Gunfleet Sailing Club’s race for the Bill Geddes, Trophy, on Sunday 22 May, saw sixteen dinghies taking part and, after an hour and a half on the water, it was Andy Cornforth that claimed victory in his Laser.

Following two Wednesday evenings of no sailing, due firstly to no wind, and secondly to too much, but like all good Goldilock stories this Wednesday, 18 May, was just right for Gunfleet Sailing Club to hold its race in the Tony Chadd Series.

Gunfleet Sailing Club saw eighteen dinghies take to the water for the Kern Potts Pursuit Race Trophy on Sunday 15 May which, after a hard-fought battle, was won by John Tappenden in his RS Aero.

Gunfleet Sailing Club held the first of its 3 in 1 races, for the Wallet Trophy, on Sunday 8 May, when three short back to back races were held and the final positions then determined by the individual results of each race.

Gunfleet Sailing Club held the final race in its Spring Series on Sunday 1 May with Ken Potts winning the race, and the series overall, in his Laser.

It was a busy Easter Bank Holiday for members of the Gunfleet Sailing Club, with Sunday seeing the third race in the Spring Series.  A light onshore breeze, as the helms rigged their boats, freshened just in time to provide a force three, gusting four, east/south-easterly for the event, coupled with sunshine and blue skies.  Carefully running down the line on starboard tack was Robert Mitchell, who got his Laser into a good lead when he sheeted in and pointed up at the very start, leaving his competitors in his wake.

Gunfleet Sailing Club started the second race in its Spring Series, on Sunday 10 April, against a backdrop of blue skies, unbroken sunshine, and a light easterly breeze.

Gunfleet Sailing Club kicked-off its Spring Series of races with fifteen dinghies taking part, the winner being Ken Potts in his Laser.

Gunfleet Sailing Club opened its 2022 sailing season this Sunday 27 March with the race for the March Hare Trophy.  There was no sign of the previous days’ sunshine, and a fresh force three, gusting four, north-easterly wind provided a distinct chill in the air, but this didn’t deter nine dinghies taking part in the event.  Six of the fleet were the Laser class and all but one helm decided to rig a full sail whilst odd-man out Andy Dunnett, having weighed-up the conditions, opted for his radial sail; a decision that paid dividends for him.

WoW – Work Weekend at Gunfleet proved a great success last Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 March with not only a lot of routine maintenance being undertaken, but also some bigger projects that have resulted in real improvements to the Club.

Members were out in force last Saturday 19 February to cut back the Tamarisk on the cliff around the Club and start to prepare the place for the up and coming sailing season.  Hedge trimmers, loppers, secateurs, bow saws and chain saws soon had the overgrowth brought down to size; hot refreshment being supplied throughout the event.  Lunchtime there was beans on toast for all, but before work could recommence, down came the rain, and the wind started howling.  So, with a heavy heart, the workforce packed up for the day but looked back at a job well done.