Ken Takes The First Race In Spring Series

Almost summer-like conditions greeted the members of Gunfleet Sailing Club on Sunday 16 April when they competed in the first race of the Spring Series; victory going to Ken Potts in his Laser.

The east/south-easterly wind was just a little bit light, the force two breeze gently edging its way into a force three during the race, and at the start it was the two RS Aeros of John Tappenden and Dave Ingle that lead the way.  Meanwhile the rest of the fleet were tightly bunched round the Outer Distance Mark on starboard tack, with one exception; Peter Downer who gleefully headed, on port tack, along the line and out to sea in order to make the most of the freshly ebbing tide.  His tactic was soon picked-up by his fellow sailors who also went about and headed out into the strengthening tide as they beat up the coast to the Kingscliff mark.  As they rounded the buoy it was Tappenden leading, with Potts now hot on his heels, followed by Robert Mitchell in his Laser, then Ingle.  The second leg was a broad reach back to the ODM and it was good to see the two GP14s, of Paul Jackson, and Dave Fowell and Vince Crabtree literally neck and neck, whilst Chris Maloney was making-up for lost time after a close encounter with a race mark in his Solo, whilst Downer also had a similar experience; both helms losing valuable time carrying out a 360 degree penalty turn.  Meanwhile Eddie White had his Comet champing at the GP14s’ sterns and as the three boats rounded the ODM, White slipped very tightly round the mark and was away.  By now, Ingle had got ahead of Mitchell, whilst at the other end of the fleet Simon Kedge, in the Topaz, had the lead on Cadet Finley Taylor in the Topper.  After a beat to the Preston Park buoy it was a reach out to Seaward before running down the coast and towards the shore, to the Lilley Farm mark, hardening up a little to then make the Eastcliff buoy, from which they sailed close-hauled back to the line.  Places continued to change but at the end of the first lap it was Potts in the lead, followed by Tappenden and then Mitchell.  During the second lap, Ingle closed the gap and had clearly picked up speed but was unable to break the top three positions, and found himself squeezed out of fourth place by some smart sailing by Downer.

Results:  Spring Series 1
1.    Laser – Ken Potts
2.    RS Aero – John Tappenden
3.    Laser – Robert Mitchell