Light Winds But Strong Racing

Gunfleet Sailing Club held the race for the John Venables Trophy on Sunday 3 September with Ken Potts claiming victory in his Laser.

The race required the sailors to circumnavigate a set number of buoys, returning to a turning mark between each buoy, but the order of completing the leg was up to each helm.  A very light north-easterly breeze greeted the competitors, along with a flat sea and at an easterly start boats headed in various directions.  A few aimed for the Kingscliff mark, whilst others, lead by John Tappenden in his RS Aero, chose to tackle the Preston Park Buoy; John Heath took his Blaze out to the AWS buoy but Peter Downer tacked his Comet back on himself and ran down to the Lilley Farm mark.  Whilst all this was going on the Race Officer was busy ticking off boats to buoys and making sure they took all the marks to starboard.  Everyone was very pleased to see Mark and George Venables taking part in the race in their Dart 18 for their father and grandfather’s trophy.

Results – John Venables Trophy:
1.    Laser – Ken Potts
2.    Blaze – John Heath
3.    Laser – Jono Dunnett

The Club subsequently held the first race in the Autumn Series, albeit the weather had more of a summer feel about it.  Such was the eagerness of the competitors that there were two false starts, despite both wind and tide holding everyone back at the line.  The black flag then came into operation which meant anyone the wrong side of the line a minute before the start would be automatically disqualified.  Suffice to say it was a clean start for everyone with Jono Dunnett leading, Brian Allen just behind in his Laser, then Peter Downer, and Ken Potts, all four bunched by the Outer Distance Mark.  However, John Heath, starting to leeward, immediately sailed past in his Blaze and made the windward buoy, Preston Park, first.  Not far behind him were Paul Jackson and Lucy Powell in their GP14 and they were quick to hoist the spinnaker on run down the coat to the Lilley Farm mark.  Meanwhile Andy Dunnett retired in his Laser, frustrated by the very light airs, as did Ian Barker and Vince Crabtree, and Simon and Nicky Kedge, both in GP14s; the strength of the flood tide having made progress very slow.  After Lilley Farm it was a beat out to Seaward, the wind now being more onshore, with Heath extending his lead, followed by Allen, Potts, and then Dave Ingle in his RS Aero.  Jono Dunnett lost time carrying out penalty turns, having glanced against Potts and Downer, but everyone was relieved to see the shorten course flag as they ran down the last leg to home.

Results – Autumn Series - 1:
1.    Blaze – John Heath
2.    Laser – Ken Potts
3.    Comet – Peter Downer