Cadet Week 2023

Clevedon Sailing Club held their annual Cadet Week in August. The 15 cadets ranging from 11 to 16 years of age experienced varied conditions over the week which tested their skills. Light winds and sunshine on Wednesday and Thursday were ideal to develop their understanding of the effect of the large tides at Clevedon and how to use or minimise this. The highlight of the week was the sail to Ladye Bay for a picnic on the beach. With no wind on the Friday the cadets made the most of the day with a fun swim and rides in the safety boats. Unfortunately, the high winds and waves on Saturday meant that the competitive regatta had to be postponed until September but the cadets managed to sail on the Marine Lake in some very gusty conditions. The cadets meet on Friday evenings from April to July and a couple of evenings in September. It’s an opportunity to learn to sail in the marine lake and then on the sea, improving confidence and skills as well as having fun. Cadets start at 11 and follow the Royal Yachting Association Youth Development Syllabus.

If you would like to add your child’s name to the waiting list contact clevedonsailingclub@outlook.com.

Town Plate 2023

The Clevedon Sailing Club Annual Town Plate took place this year on 14th May. On a bright and particularly windy Sunday, six boats made it out for the pursuit race, and several Clevedon Town Councillors enjoyed the magnificent view from the sailing club. The nature of the pursuit race means that boats start in staggered times, slow boats getting a head start over the faster fleet. In theory all boats should cross the finish line at the same time however in this race the three fast Aeros all made excellent progress and were soon reeling in the slower boats.

After an exciting hour and a half of racing, the boats crossed the line in the following order:

1st - RS Aero - Robin Goff

2nd - RS Aero - Joe Hotchkiss

3rd - RS Aero - Stuart Turner

Cadet week 2022

This August we have been able to enjoy a hugely successful cadet week. Fourteen cadets and almost as many adult helpers took part; each day started with breakfast in the clubhouse, followed by sailing activities and then lunch and debriefing. The first day, Wednesday gave us some challenging conditions; some of the older cadets went out in the Hartleys, in theory to practice spinnaker sailing, although this proved to be pretty impossible! The younger cadets went out in double-handers with instructors and some even enjoyed a ride in the safety boat.

Thursday morning brought calm weather, so we started to prepare to head to Layde Bay for the traditional cadet picnic on the beach. Sandwiches were made, packed into cars and driven down there. Boats were launched, the older ones again in the Hartleys and the younger ones in a mixture of Toppers and double handers. Unfortunately, as is often the case in Clevedon, conditions deteriorated very rapidly, necessitating a change in plans. The picnic was driven back to Clevedon beach and after a couple of hours sailing was devoured by hungry cadets and helpers alike!

On Friday conditions were near perfect for our regatta. The oldest cadets went out in Lasers for the fast handicap, and the next group down were in Toppers for the slow handicap. Even the least experienced cadets went out in double handers with adult instructors and all had a fantastic sail. Three races were completed. For some this was by far the most sea sailing they have done this year.
Sadly the wind picked up on Saturday and it was not safe to launch any boats. All we could do was watch the cadets mess about in the waves for a long time, before having a barbecue and prize giving back at the club.

As always, none of this would have been possible without all the amazing help we had, with instructors, safety boat crew, beach party and help in the galley with all the food preparation. Thanks to everyone who took part.

Regatta results
Slow Handicap:
1st Sam Newell
2nd Elizabeth Summerell
3rd Eddie Knott

Fast Handicap
1st Rory Stretch
2nd Josh Warren-Cox
3rd Alex East

Regatta 2022

Glorious sunshine and a great sailing breeze set the scene for the 75th annual regatta weekend held on 9th and 10th of July. On day one Race officer Ian Hotchkiss set a course in the bay comprising a beat towards Wains Hill, a close reach to seaward and a long run back to the pier. The first race got away cleanly with 17 boats close tacking along the rocky shore to avoid the adverse tide. James and Anthony Willcocks (Fireball) quickly established a clear lead for the whole of the race with Robin Goff and Martin Gibson (Aero 7's) taking 2nd and 3rd positions. Josh Warren Cox and Evie Newell (Hartley 12.2) were quickest in the slow fleet followed by Sean Warren Cox (Mirror) and Evie and Andy Summerell (Hartley 12.2)

After a chaotic start to race two caused by the collision of Goff and Benedict Wybrow (Tasar) the Willcocks twins quickly took the lead once more followed by Andy and Andrea Willcocks (Fireball). Gibson again took 3rd place. Tom and Ester Knot were the quickest slow boat (Hartley 12.2) with Warren Cox/Newell 2nd and the Summerell’s 3rd.

By the start of the third race the tide had changed and the wind had increased. The race followed much the same pattern with the Fireballs being untouchable at the front of the fleet. Anthony Rees demonstrated that there still life in the Laser class taking 3rd place ahead of the Aero 7's. The Knots took 1st again followed by Sean Warren Cox and  the Summerell’s.

Sunday dawned even sunnier and hotter but with little wind. As the afternoon start time approached what wind there was disappeared and racing was abandoned

Overall Results (Fast Handicap):

1st Anthony and James Willcocks (Fireball)

2nd Andy and Andrea Willcocks (Fireball)

3rd Robin Goff (Aero 7)

Overall Results (Slow Handicap):

1st Tom and Ester Knot (Hartley 12.2)

2nd J Warren Cox and E Newell (Hartley 12.2)

3rd Evie and Andy Summerell (Hartley 12.2)

Start line action - Photo C Slater

TOWN PLATE 2022

For a while it very much looked like this year's Town Plate Pursuit Race wasn't going to happen. There were sailors with their boats, safety boat crew and race officers and even glorious sunshine: but there wasn't any wind! At 10.30 am, decision time, a light breeze kicked in and after a quick briefing boats took to the water. First away were the slowest handicap boats, Hartley 12.2's, sailed by Cadet members of the club. Eventually all faster boats followed with the quickest boat, a 505 starting last. In the light and patchy conditions it didn't take long for the Aero's of Robin Goff and Stuart Turner to get to the front of the fleet. Turner, sailing a larger 9sq rig was well positioned to overtake Goff as the 100 minute race drew to the end but the wind dropped suddenly leaving both boats struggling but with Goff clear ahead.

Prizes were awarded after the race by David Shopland representing N Somerset Council who provided the original trophy in 1963.

Overall Results

1st - Robin Goff (Aero 7)

2nd - Stuart Turner (Aero 9)

3rd - Rory Stretch and Paul Hield (505)

First Cadet - Elizabeth Summerall

2021 Town Plate

Clevedon Sailing Club’s Town Plate pursuit race was held on 9th May, a week later than scheduled due to insufficient winds.  Conditions were trying with a gusty wind from the South testing the 11 crews all rusty following the Covid lay-up. Race Officer Chris Cooper set a triangular course in the bay with the first leg to Wains Hill.

The first starters were the Laser Radials with Robin Goff taking an early lead from Rhys Davis. Faster handicap boats started according to their handicap but none could make any impression on the 2 leading boats gradually increasing their gap at the front. Eventually the full rig Lasers managed to overtake the slower 420 sailed by Amy Turner and Rachael Elliott and Vision of Martin and Alison White whilst keeping the faster RS 200's behind them.

Prizes were awarded outside the clubhouse following the race.

1st Robin Goff (Laser Radial)

2nd Rhys Davis (Laser Radial)

3rd Jon Summers (Laser)

4th Mark Elliott and Andy Preston (RS200)

Cadets Back on the Water 2021

After a whole season lost to Covid 19 restrictions, Clevedon Sailing Club Cadets were back on the marine lake again on Wednesday 7th April. While a
little cold, sailing conditions were perfect, with a light north westerly breeze, allowing the cadets to reacquaint themselves with the boats without too much drama. The marine lake is the perfect place to start to learn to sail, safely enclosed by the sea wall and with a shallow depth should anybody capsize. Cadet sailing normally takes place on a Friday evening during the spring and summer, sailing on the sea when the tide times and weather conditions allow. The cadet programme starts in earnest on Friday 16th April when the tides will allow the cadets to sail on the sea. Cadets start at 10 or 11 years old and progress through the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) syllabus including training as Assistant Instructors as they get older and more experienced.

Laying Up Supper 2019

Traditionally the Laying Up Supper celebrates the end of the sailing season when boats are 'laid up' ashore due to cold weather, dark nights and winter storms. With the advent of lighter, stronger boats and much improved sports clothing sailing now continues until Christmas but in line with tradition this year's Supper was held on Saturday evening at the Club's seafront venue. More than fifty members and guests enjoyed a delicious 4 course meal thanks to 'Julie and her team' followed by the Commodore's speech and the presentation of trophies for this year's race series.

Rachael Elliott did particularly well sailing with Amy Turner wining the Slow Handicap Spring and Summer Series and was also awarded the Powder Monkey Trophy for best Cadet. Fast Handicap silverware was awarded to Robin Goff for the Fast Handicap Spring and Summer Series and Chris Cooper for the Evening Series. New member Bruno Tinel took the Rudderless Trophy for putting the Commodore's boat on the rocks during the Town Plate event early in the season but was also awarded the 'Best Improver' award.

For outstanding commitment to the club over the years Des and Daphne Challice were presented with the Elton Cup and Mike Batchelor the Velindra Trophy. Commodore Robin Goff was also pleased to announce that Ian, Sue, Sarah and Joe Hotchkiss are to be the first recipients of the RYA 'Family Award' to be presented by Princess Anne in London on 22 Nov.

Dying Breeze for 2019 John Ashley - Willcocks family sweep the board

A gentle North to North Easterly breeze greeted the 13 mixed-handicap competitors for Clevedon Sailing Club’s annual John Ashley long-distance race. The course tests the crews’ abilities far out into the channel, where the tidal stream is greater, and even more so in light winds. Apart from needing boat speed; good timing, applying local tide knowledge and sometimes a dose of luck are what each crew is striving for. None such for Warren-Cox’s single-handed attempt in a Mirror, unfortunately suffering gear failure on the slip.

The wind direction meant race officer Sarah Hotchkiss set a windward first leg to Avon Buoy, the familiar green shipping channel marker opposite Walton Castle. The next two legs would be downwind; via Clevedon Buoy, the black and yellow cardinal mark about 2 miles out from Clevedon and then to the finish of the 7 mile course in the bay.

The Clevedon start line in this wind direction needs precise timing so that tide does not carry you over before the start gun. This fate befell the Willcocks twins’ 29xx and the Wayfarer of Turner/Turner/Elliott. Both had to return so as to start and thread their way through a beleaguered second wave of starters, who had suffered bad air and poor positioning and were still struggling to get going. Even before the end of the pier had been reached, the fleet had been split into two distinct groups, an initially subtle but later painfully felt gap. The ‘lucky’ early wave now cashed in on the last bit of breeze, to get most of the way around the counter-tide legs of the course before it became very light. This left the second wave between Avon and Clevedon buoys with much less pressure and sailing against the more swiftly moving current with some boats eventually going backwards.

Among the front-runners were Elliott/Fairhurst in an RS200, who had started impeccably, now finished fourth. Credit to the two visiting crews from Portishead YSC; a family affair, with twins Anthony and James taking first place and parents Andrea and Andy the second in a Fireball. The twins recovered their position, despite effectively starting later with the second wave . Third place went to the ever-consistent Martin Gibson in a Laser, whose well-judged start line position meant he was in with the very much advantaged head starters.

1st - Anthony & James Willcocks (29erXX)

2nd - Andy & Andrea Willcocks (Fireball)

3rd - Martin Gibson (Laser)

Laser Open 2019

Six brave competitors took part in this years Laser Open meeting at Clevedon SC comprising of four visitors and two local sailors, in the challenging westerly force 5 gusting 6 wind.

Race officer Ian Hotchkiss set an M shaped course in Clevedon bay which gave two beats, two exciting beam reaches with two gybe marks and a Broad reach back across the bay.

In the lead up to Race one Safety boat skipper Mike Batchelor and Crew Gary Buffery and Andy Summerell were kept busy dealing with multiple capsizes, but all the racers managed to stay upright for the start. John Ling from Bartley Sailing Club quickly established a good lead followed by local sailors Rhys Davies and Martin Gibson. At the end of the first lap Davies elected to tack round at the second gybe mark which allowed Gibson to move into second. Not far behind were Mike Dyer and Graham Royce from Bowmoor Sailing Club. On lap two Davies Suffered a broken toe strap and Tiller extension and was forced to retire. Ling won the race followed by Gibson Dyer and Royce.

In Race two Royce decided he’d had enough fun for one day and came ashore. Leaving the rest to battle it out in the now increasing Force 6 breeze. Once again Ling got off to a good start closely followed by Gibson and Dyer these positions remained unchanged for the rest of the race.

Dyer decided he’d had enough after Race two, which left Ling and Gibson to contest the final race. Ling again quickly established a good lead which he held to the finish.

Overall results

1st John Ling Bartley SC.

2nd Martin Gibson Clevedon SC.

3rd Mike Dyer Bowmoor SC.

John Ling enjoying the Clevedon Chop

Regatta - Sunday 12 May 2019

Fortunately the weather forecast for this year's Regatta turned out to be incorrect and instead of the windless day expected conditions were good with a force 3 North Easterly wind and bright sunshine. 14 crews turned out to take part including one visitor from Portishead sailing club.

Race Officer Andy Black set a rectangular course in the bay with a short beat to the Pier mark followed by a reach out to sea, a run against the tide before reaching back to the shore and beating back to the start line. Mark Elliot and Andy Preston (RS200) got off to flying start to the first mark but was quickly overhauled on the first reach by visitor Andy Willcocks (Solo) and Martin Gibson (Laser). Conditions suited the Laser and Gibson was clear ahead by the first seamark and remained in pole position until the end of the 3 lap race. Willcocks made good speed up the beats but was unable to close the gap sufficiently to take first place on corrected time. The Lasers of Stuart Turner and George Knight (Radial) took 3rd and 4th places.

Race 2 followed a similar pattern with Gibson narrowly beating Willcocks by 18 seconds per lap and Turner and Knight once again in 3rd and 4th.

By the start of race 3 the tide had just changed and the wind was beginning to decrease. The course had been changed to a triangle omitting one of the reaches. Willcock once again got off to a cracking start closely followed by Robin Goff and Evie Gribbon (Graduate). The first reach enabled Gibson to catch Willcocks overtaking him at the gybe mark. With the tide now ebbing the favoured course for the beat back to the start line was no longer tacking out to sea and instead keeping close inshore out of the tide. After 2 laps Gibson was unable to pull out enough lead to stay ahead of Willcocks on corrected time, Goff and Gribbin took 3rd with Turner relegated to 4th and Knight to 5th.

Overall results were:

Slow Handicap

1st - Amie Turner and Rachael Elliot (RS Feva)

Fast Handicap

1st - Martin Gibson (Laser), 2nd - Andy Willcocks (Solo), 3rd - Stuart Turner (Laser)

First Cadets - (Slow fleet) Amie Turner and Rachael Elliot, (Fast fleet) George Knight

George Knight

Rachael Elliot & Amy Turner

Stuart Turner

Andy Willcocks

Martin Gibson

RYA Volunteer Awards

Benedict Whybrow receiving his Outstanding Contribution Award and Mike Batchelor his Lifetime Commitment Award from HRH Princess Anne. Well done and congratulations to both of them

Commodores Evening - Friday 9th November 2018

Thank you to all those that attended the Commodores evening last night and made your suggestions to changes that can be made to improve the future of the club. All of these points will be taken on board and changes will be made going forward.

It is everybody’s club, please do continue to make any suggestions that you have.

Autumn Trophy - Sunday 16th September 2018

Despite the forecast for very strong winds and heavy rain, eleven boats lined up at the start line for this years Autumn Trophy at Clevedon Sailing Club on Sunday 16th September. Conditions proved to be challenging with a gusty southerly force 4 wind, but the rain held off to make for a great day of sailing.

Race Officer Cordelia Twigge set a large figure of eight course in the bay. Unusually the first two legs were off wind starting towards the pier but with a long beat from the first seamark to the Pumphouse mark off the lake. Two reaching legs followed back to the start of the next lap with some fast and furious planning once the wind had picked up for the final 2 races. The fleet consisted of five laser radials and six double handed dinghies including a rare appearance from messers Hotchkiss and Black in the 505.

A total of three races were run with close competition between between Martin Gibson in his Laser and the Tasar sailed by Anthony Rees with Kevin Watts, Rachel Elliot with Stuart Turner did well in the Club’s training Vision but unfortunately lost out on the planning legs. However at least they stayed upright leaving the safety boat free to attend various capsizes by other competitors.

At the end of the three races, and with handicaps taken into account, the results were -

1st Martin Gibson 2nd Anthony Rees and Kevin Watts 3rd Rachel Elliot and Stuart Turner

Channel Race - Saturday 21st July 2018

The annual tradition of sailing up channel to Denny Island (just off Avonmouth) managed to take place despite a very light wind forecast. This race is a test of the sailors skill at judging the time it takes to round Denny Isalnd as the tide turns therefore taking advantage of the flood tide on the way and ebb tide on the way back, and being able to sail in changing conditions as the race can take between 3 to 4 hours.

With sailors choosing when to start, the RS200 of Mark Elliot and Andy Preston was first away followed 5 minutes later by Martin and Ella Gibson in their Tasar. With the light NE wind building a little they soon disappeared up channel out of sight. The 3 Lasers of Stuart Turner, Trevor Baker and Chris Parry were next away delaying slightly longer and finally the RS Vision helmed by Seamus Ryan with his wife Gill and Nathan Compton on board.

The light winds on the trip to Denny Island meant that little advantage was gained by anyone as all were taken by the tide, and with the wind dying to nothing off Portishead there was a risk that the Lasers would not get to Denny Island before the tide turned. The RS200 rounded Denny first before the tide turned meaning that they had to punch some tide returning for a while in the light winds. So the rounding of Denny was a procession in the same order as started except for the RS Vision which was not able to make it in time and the last Laser of Chris Parry just getting round.

The wind started to pick up and changed direction through 180° to SW and ended up at about F3. This meant that the sailors now could really affect their position as the wind over tide condition produces a short steep wave in the Bristol Channel requiring some skill to keep the boat moving. The Gibson’s Tasar was soon passed The RS200 of Elliot and Preston and was the first boat back through the finish line just on 3 hours duration. The Lasers couldn’t catch either the Tasar or RS200 on the water but did close the gap sufficiently to be quicker on corrected handicap.

The final Result - Stuart Turner (Laser) first; Trevor Baker (Laser) second and Martin & Ella Gibson (Tasar) third.

Regatta - Saturday 9th June 2018

The sun shone for this year's Clevedon Regatta and after a run of weekends with too little or too much wind there was a reasonable NE light breeze. Race Officer Tony Cherry set a figure of eight course for the first race and the boats got away with a clean start towards the Pier before a long broad reach to the first seamark. Robin Goff (D Zero) took the lead from the start closely followed by Martin Gibson (Laser). The long offwind legs suited Ian Hotchkiss and Andy Black (505) with their large spinnaker eventually overtaking Gibson to finish second over the water but well down the fleet on handicap. The course was changed for race 2 to a 'P' shape with a dead run along the shore from the Bandstand to Pumphouse marks before beating back towards the Pier. Once again Goff, Hotchkiss/Black and Gibson lead the fleet followed Chris cooper (Laser), Mark and Rachael Elliott (RS200) and Stuart and Amy Turner and Mike Mcgloughlin and Trevor Baker (Visions). The wind picked up towards the end of the race 2 but unfortunately dropped during race 3 which saw another course change to a rectangular in the bay. Once again Goff and Gibson lead the fleet but with long beats back along the shore against the tide, which had changed, the D Zero steadily pulled away to open up commanding lead.

Overall results on corrected time -

1st - Robin Goff (D Zero) 2nd Martin Gibson (Laser) 3rd - Chris Cooper (Laser)

Winners from left to right: Martin Gibson, Robin Goff and Chris Cooper

Easter Bonnet - Sunday 8th April 2018

Ten sailors took part in this year’s Easter Bonnet in still wintery feeling weather. It is nice that three of these were Cadets.

The 2 - 5 Knots of wind did not look inviting but the flat seas with minimal neap tide enabled racing to start and the wind filled in a little more so 3 races were completed.

Some close racing took place with the Vision of Amy and father Stuart swapping places for 1st or 2nd over the water with Chris’ Laser. The rest of the fleet were having similar fun between other Lasers a 420 and the 2nd Club Vision sailed by Cadets George and Monty - taking 3rd place in the 1st race - just to show that the Visons can be competitive. 

Easter eggs for prizes went to:

1st - Amy and Stuart Turner (Vision)

2nd - Chris Cooper (Laser)

3rd Seamus Ryan (Laser)

Channel Race 2017

Another year, another classic Clevedon Channel Race!  Race Officer Andy Black set the usual course but with a short beat to the Bandstand before heading for the Avon buoy, Denny Isle, Newcombe buoy and back to the finish. Approx 12 miles in a straight line but  longer given the return leg was a beat. Competitors choose their own start time aiming to  round of the rocky outcrop at high water. First away was Seamus Ryan sailing the race for the first time in a Laser followed by two 420's and a visiting Kestrel. Last to leave was the Tasar of Benedict Whybrow.

Most of the boats took about an hour to complete the run to Denny; that was the easy bit. Rounding Denny most of the fleet began the long beat back with the first tack heading for Avonmouth. The backmarkers were split at Newcombe due to the arrival of a large car carrier negotiating the buoy in the opposite direction and the wind increased in excess of force 4 sat the same time. It was a very long beat back with a steep choppy sea taking at least an hour and a half for most boats.

Crews were glad to retire to clubhouse to relieve their aching legs while the final results were worked out on handicap.

Results

1st Martin Gibson (Laser Radial)

2nd Stuart Turner (Laser Radial)

3rd Robin Goff (D Zero)

Boats approaching Denny Island

John Ashley - Sunday 2nd July 2017

The 2017 John Ashley Long Distance race took place on Sunday 2nd July. The weather was bright and sunny with wind speeds of 4 knots. Race officer Mark Houle set a challenging course, heading first to the Bandstand buoy, then out to the Clevedon buoy, up the channel to the Avon buoy and back to the Pier.  A total of 13 boats were at the start line, with visitors from other clubs taking on the challenge of sailing at Clevedon.

Immediately the Willcocks twins in their Fireball took a 720 penalty for hitting another boat, although they quickly raced to catch up with the fleet. Heading out towards the Clevedon mark, the fleet initially stayed together but several capsized in the difficult conditions. Offshore the wind was picking up, and large waves were making life tough for the sailors. Both of the rescue boats were kept busy responding to capsizes. The three race leaders, a Contender, a Tasar and the Fireball surged ahead, and after the first lap the decision was made to allow only these boats to complete a second lap. In total 6 boats completed a single lap, as the others were forced to retire. 

The building wind speeds meant that the boats that completed a second lap benefited from improved average lap times. The race was won for the second year running by James and Anthony Willcocks, in their Fireball. Although Paul Hield crossed the line second in his Contender, he was pipped to second on the handicap by Anthony Rees and Kevin Watts in the Tasar.

Winners - James and Anthony Willcocks (Fireball)

2nd - Anthony Rees and Kevin Watts (Tasar)

3rd - Paul Hield (Contender)

D Zero/Laser Open - Saturday 3rd June 2017

Champagne sailing conditions greeted visitors who travelled from Netley, Cransley, Emsworth, Hitchin, Bartley, Bowmoor and as far away as Yorkshire. OOD Ian Hotchkiss set an Olympic style triangle sausage course in the bay, with a beat along the shore to Wains Hill against a South Westerly force 2 - 3 increasing to 3-4 breeze.

D Zero race one saw current National Champion Ian Morgan and local sailor Robin Goff get off the line well, short tacking inshore to stay out of the tide. Goff’s good start was short lived however as by the windward mark he’d dropped to 5th and it was Morgan, David Valentine, Tom Southwell and Steve Bolland who lead the way to the gybe mark, with Gordon Stewart and Nigel Austin bringing up the rear. Lap two saw Valentine drop to 4th but he was passed on the last run by Goff. Up front it was Morgan who took the gun with Southwell 2nd and Bolland 3rd.

By the start of race two the wind strength had increased to 4 gusting 5 and again Morgan showed the rest of the fleet a clean pair of heels up the first beat, opening up a sizeable lead by the windward mark, with Bolland & Southwell in 2nd & 3rd. These positions remained unchanged for the rest of the race, followed by Goff, Valantine, Stewart & Austin.

Goff decided he’d had enough excitement for one day and decided to sit out race 3, but was soon joined by Morgan who retired just after the start with a broken Cunningham line. This left Southwell and Bolland to fight it out for the win, with Southwell doing just enough in what was a very close race to claim line honours. Austin sailed well in the testing conditions to come in 3rd with Valentine close behind and Stewart 5th following a capsize.

The Laser fleet of 12 boats got away to a clean start first time and saw some close tacking up the shore to stay out of the adverse tide. This inevitably led to 'close encounters' as boats passed ahead of each other. Local sailor Martin Gibson lead at the first mark closely followed by John Lapes. These 2 led for the rest of the lap but Lapes slowly fell back and was overtaken by Tim Keighley and John Ling. Gibsonled to the end of the 2 lap Olympic course with Ling second and Keigley third.

The wind had increased by the start of race 2 and after a good start Ling established a good lead on Keighley and the rest of the fleet. Lapes managed the increased wind strength and large waves without difficulty to take third place.

The tide had changed by race 3 with the advantage out to sea rather than hugging the coastline. The bigwaves and force 4 wind saw some exciting off wind sailing and a few capsizes. Ling once again led away from the start line followed by Keighley and Stuart Turner sailing with the smaller but more manageable Radial rig. With the tide change many of the leading boats overstood the first windward mark allowing Gibson to slip into fourth place and eventual overhaul Turner on the last run before the finish.

D Zero Results

1st Ian Morgan (Hillhead SC)  

2nd Tom Southwell (Hillhead SC) 

3rd Steve Bolland (BC YC)

Laser Results

1st John Ling (Bartley SC)

2nd Martin Gibson (Clevedon SC)

3rd Tim Keighley (West Riding SC)