Town Plate 2017 - Sunday 21st May 2017

Clevedon Sailing Club’s Town Plate race was held in glorious sunshine but light winds with twelve competitors. The annual event‘s sponsors are the town council, who engrave the names of the winners on the handsome silver platters. The structure of the day is a two hour long pursuit race where faster boats start times are staggered according to their handicap and would theoretically have caught everyone else up by the time has elapsed.  Therefore, after two hours, the boat that is leading has won. 

The first starters of Laser Radials and Solos enjoyed sufficient breeze on the first leg past Wains Hill. By the time they had turned out towards the middle of the estuary and the distant sea-mark, the later starters were struggling in wind that had turned light and patchy. However, last starters East in a Phantom and the Willcocks’ in a Fireball, patiently ‘picked off’ the boats that lay ahead of them. Meanwhile Goff in his D-Zero was doing the same from a mid-fleet start and was eventually ahead of all the other boats at the finish to take the title. The efforts of East were rewarded with second place and Andy & Andrea Willcocks of Portishead YSC came third.

1st Robin Goff (D-Zero)

2nd Alex East (Phantom)

3rd Andy & Andrea Willcocks (Fireball)

Easter Bonnet 2017

After 4 dismal weekends of either too much or too little wind Clevedon Sailing Club's season finally got under way on Easter Monday although conditions once again turned out to be far from ideal. 16 boats started the first race with a light northerly wind and sunshine. At the end of the first lap the slower handicap boats of Sarah Hotchkiss (Solo) and Paul Sheldon (Laser) were not far behind the faster handicap boats and looked well set up to take the leading places. However as the wind strength continued to drop they struggled to complete lap 2 while the faster boats of Robin Goff (D Zero) and Martin and Ella Gibson (Tasar) managed to reach the finishing line.

OOD Paul Hield reversed the course direction for race 2 so that if necessary boats could take advantage of the lesser tide along the shore once the tide turned. The race started in very little wind and most of the fleet retired at the first mark while Goff and Gibson crawled slowly out to the sea mark followed by Sheldon and Hotchkiss. The faster boats managed to reach the Pump house mark before the now ebbing tide built up much speed but the slow boats, now becalmed out at sea, gave up and also retired. The race was finished after 1 lap with Goff taking the gun.

Overall Results

1st R Goff (D Zero)

2nd Martin and Ella Gibson (Tasar)

3rd Paul Sheldon (Laser)

Boats struggle to make progress during Clevedon's Easter Bonnet Race

Christmas Events at Clevedon Sailing Club

The aptly named Lunatics Races are the last sailing event in Clevedon SC's 2016 racing programme. With the imminent threat of a gale most competitors were put off taking part but 5 boats lined up to launch although only 3 braved the testing launching conditions. Race officer Sarah Hotchkiss set a small triangular course with the first upwind leg towards Wains Hill. The strong winds suited Martin and Ella Gibson (Tasar) who took first place over the water in both short races. A capsize in the first race put Phil Isaac (Phantom) behind Stuart Turner (Laser Radial) overall. After some drama on the slip recovering dinghies and the safety boat in big waves competitors retreated to clubhouse for warmth and sustenance.

Prizes were also awarded for the Winter Series which was completed the weekend before.

1st - Robin Goff (D Zero)

2nd - Martin Gibson (Laser)

3rd - Phil Isaac (Phantom)

To round off the festivities the annual Paper Boat Race was held on Boxing Day. Conditions were ideal with a stiff westerly breeze and sunshine. Nine boats started but most capsized or sank shortly after the start. One boat was disqualified for outside assistance from a passing seagull looking for food leaving only one boat which finished in fine style crossing the marine lake in record time. For the second year running Billy Summers took the prize; with a little help from dad, Jon.

Autumn Trophy - Sunday 23rd October 2016

Sunday morning and the rerun of the Autumn Trophy a series of 3 races back to back. The conditions were challenging with a gusty easterly wind. Race 1 saw the Phantom of Phil Isaac get away in the lead only to capsize on the gybe mark, letting Martin and Ella Gibson in the Tasar take the lead, with the D-Zero of Robin Goff and the Laser of Stuart Turner hot on their heels. A few of the old sea dogs decided that the shifty gusty conditions were not for them and came ashore. Abi Ruffle in her Laser decided to come in and put the more manageable 4.7 rig on for the next races.

Race 2 and the Tasar got away in front, the Phantom unfortunately broke its kicker and had to come in for repairs leaving the Tasar and Laser an easy 1,2 with Abi Ruffle in her Laser coming in 3rd. The third race saw the Phantom back out and a good head to head race between the Phantom and Tasar took place with the Tasar coming out the victor on handicap.

Overall Results

1st Tasar – Martin and Ella Gibson

2nd Laser Radial – Stuart Turner

3rd Phantom – Phil Isaac

1st - Martin & Ella Gibson (Tasar)

2nd - Stuart Turner (Laser Radial)

3rd - Phil Isaac (Phantom)

Town Plate 2016

In Pursuit of Victory

Clevedon Sailing Club welcomed over fifteen members of the Clevedon Town Council to their annual Town Plate pursuit race last Saturday (16 July).

The event saw 10 sailors face odd conditions with an inconsistent force 3 (7-10 knots/8-12 mph) and a choppy sea in this 90 minute race.

In pursuit races, boats start according to their handicap, i.e. slow boats earlier, fast boats later, with the prospect of all boats finishing at the same time. However, this is generally unlikely due to conditions on the day and the skill of the sailors, therefore the boat leading the fleet at the end of the set time is the declared the winner.

After the starting gun, Grace Cherry (Topper) was the first to cross the start line after 3 minutes however she did not fare well up the beat in this class of boat with the strong incoming tide. Shortly after, Paul Sheldon (Laser Radial) and Stuart Turner (Laser) made a better start up the beat over taking Cherry by the second mark. At 23 minutes, the three Tasars (Martin & Ella Gibson, Benedict Whybrow & Jon Summers, Richard White & Sarah Hotchkiss) started the race although the Gibsons made a quick detour to pick up their jib pole after dropping it in a tack. Phil Isaac was the last boat to start but had a difficult task ahead of him after capsizing on the start line.

Positions remained fixed for the first lap however things started to change when the wind picked up and the Tasars over took the Lasers at the start of the second. Isaac also managed to pick off White & Hotchkiss and the trailing Lasers.

The third lap started with only 18 minutes of racing remaining and the Gibsons holding a big lead over the rest of the fleet. There was however stiff competition between the Phantom and Tasar (Whybrow & Summers) sailing hard for second place when the final horn sounded.

Overall results

1st – Martin & Ella Gibson (Tasar)
2nd – Phil Isaac (Phantom)
3rd – Benedict Whybrow & Jon Summers (Tasar)

1st Cadet – Grace Cherry (Topper)

Thanks are owed to Jane Geldart, Chair of the Town Council, who presented the trophies alongside Sarah Hotchkiss (Commodore), as well as the Council for their continued support.

Ella Gibson

Tasars make a quick start around the first buoy.

Ella Gibson, Jane Geldart, Martin Gibson and Sarah Hotchkiss.

Phil Isaac - 2nd

Benedict Whybrow & Jon Summers - 3rd

Tasar’s Windy Nationals at Whitstable

8th, 9th and 10th July 2016

Strong winds and gusts of up to 35 knots proved challenging for the 52 sailors who braved the water for the 2016 Tasar National at Whitstable Yacht Club last weekend (8-10 July). However, a little determination and a lot of impromptu on the water repairs saw 26 boats battle it out in a fast and furious weekend of sailing.

The first day of racing saw the least wind of the series and a good start for Liz and Roger Pescod who won the first race after starting 3rd off the line. Whilst Constantijn Udo and Jan Slotemaker, one of the two Dutch crews to sail in this year’s competition, managed to secure an easy win with a lead from the start in the second race.

On the second day, despite starting in 6th and lying only 3rd around the last gybe mark, strong gusts causing the two leading boats to capsize allowed Rod and Maureen Porteous time to wear round before heading down the reach to steal the win in the 3rd race. Although being one of the boats hit by the gust, impressively, Neil Spagagna and Steve Gustice managed to limp over the line to 9th position with a 45o bend in the top 3 foot of their mast.

With only 11 boats still out on the water (some without full rigs) and the wind speed continuing to increase, racing for the day was abandoned.

On the final day, the first start was brought forward to take advantage of lighter winds and the Porteous crew continued their success to take the next two races. Unfortunately, the final race had to be called off due to the repeated deterioration in conditions.

Overall results, after 5 out of the 8 races were sailed with one discard, were:

1st – Rod & Maureen Porteous

2nd - Constantijn Udo & Jan Slotemaker

3rd –Neil Spracanga & Steve Gustice

4th – Liz & Roger Pesdoc

5th – Stephen Nation & Julie Puckett

Junior Cup – Luna Schutte

Ladies Cup – Liz Pescod

Rolling Pin and Masters Plate - Rod & Maureen Porteous

Grand Masters Plate - Constantijn Udo & Jan Slotemaker

Black Horse Trophy (Club Team) - WSC

In his winner’s speech, Rod said that in spite of the tough conditions, the good courses, stiff competition and great sportsmanship from the rest of the Tasar fleet made for brilliant racing as always. Big thanks are owed to Race Officer, Tom Bruton and the rescue boat crew as well as the food and catering team and event organisers.

Sailors are now looking forward to the Tasar Nationals at Pothpean, Cornwall next year and the World Championships taking place in Gamagori, Japan in 2018.

Ella Gibson (CSC)

Race Night - Saturday 18th June 2016

The first ever race night took place last month, which was a huge success and highly enjoyable evening. Eight races took place during the night where there was the opportunity to back a horse. Be a jockey or owner, tables enjoyed a glass of Prosecco on arrival and food whilst watching the racing.

D Zero and Laser Open 2016

The Bristol channel looked like a mill pond when competitors arrived for Clevedon Sailing Club’s 2016 D Zero and Laser open race meeting. Sailors had travelled from as far away as Southampton and Northampton and were looking forward to similar challenging conditions as experienced for the 2015 meeting.

However, after a delayed start time, a gentle south westerly 5 knot breeze filled in and race officer Ian Hotchkiss set a figure of eight course in the bay. After the competitors took to the water and the preparatory signal was sounded there was a 180 degree wind shift so a running start ensued.

In the De Zero class local sailor Robin Goff made an excellent start sailing in shore to stay out of the tide. Meanwhile, Ian Morgan and Graham Cooper found extra breeze further out in the tide and led the fleet to the first mark. Goff left his transit to the first mark too late and ended up rounding last, but using his experience of the tide managed to pull back to third by the end of the first lap. Up at the front the battle for first place between Morgan and Cooper continued with multiple place changing. Cooper eventually broke away and went on to take first place with Ian close behind him. Further back in the fleet the battle for third place started. Goff had elected to stay inshore again and once more was passed by the rest of the fleet. Toby Peacock then broke away from the pack and remained unchallenged for third place. Using his skills over the tide Goff finished fourth as the wind dropped and the rest of the fleet were forced to retire.

Only nine Lasers turned out for this year’s open, less than previous years, possibly due the forecast of rain and little wind. Starting after the D Zeros the light breeze that had developed vanished and the fleet struggled against the incoming tide eventually making the windward mark set out to sea. John Ling steadily increased his lead in the trying conditions putting a considerable distance between him and the rest of the fleet. The occasional light patches of wind faded altogether leaving the majority of the fleet stationary as they approached the windward mark for the second lap. With the tide about to change there was no hope of the fleet completing the course and all boats with the exception of Ling retired. Unfortunately, Ling had been over the line at the start and was disqualified, consequently there were no finishers in the Laser class.

No other races took place due to the prevailing conditions. The results from race one therefore completed the open series.

Channel Race 2016 - Sunday 29th May

Clevedon Sailing Club’s annual channel race was held in glorious sunshine on the bank holiday Sunday with good sailing wind. The long-distance race is from Clevedon to Denny Island and back. The aim for competitors is to time their departure to achieve the rounding of the rocky outcrop near Avonmouth to coincide with high water. This way they get the benefit of the flood tide on the way there and the ebbing tide sailing home.

The fleet of nine dinghies started according to their skippers’ best estimate of how long the passage would take. All the boats reached Denny before the tide had turned so that earlier starters were most compromised by sailing against the current. Amongst the group who delayed their departure for longest and reached the turning point as the tide was close to turning were Martin Gibson (Laser) and Robin Goff (D-Zero) who took first and second places respectively. One early starter was the 420 of Baker/Turner, who sailed at a splendid pace to take third place despite the disadvantage of having the current against them for a quarter of the race.

Results

1st - Martin Gibson (Laser)

2nd - Robin Goff (D-Zero)

3rd - Trevor Baker & Stuart Turner (420)

Robin and Martin rounding Deny Island

1st - Martin Gibson

2nd - Robin Goff

Robin in D-Zero

Trevor and Stuart heading off

3rd - Trevor Baker and Stuart Turner

John Ashley - Sunday 15th May 2016

The 2016 John Ashley Long Distance race took place on Sunday 15th May with a steady force 4 building to force 5 on shore breeze.

15 boats started of which there were a number of visitors who used to sail at Clevedon many years ago. The potential for carnage along the rocky shore immediately after the start was avoided (as always) by good seamanship and shouting of relevant rights of way – always a good spectacle for those stood on the cliff watching the race. At the first mark, set at the far end of the recently refurbished Marine Lake, the 505 of Pickering and Priddle was just ahead of James and Anthony Willcocks in their 29er closely followed by a pair of tussling Phantoms of Phil Isaacs and Andy Willcocks along with the D Zero sailed by Robin Goff and 3 Tasars of which 2 would end up finishing in the top 4.  In the mix was another 505 of Hotchkiss and Black and a number of Lasers; a 420; Firefly and a RS Vision.

The long close reach out to the Clevedon Buoy, which took the back markers over 30 minutes to get to, saw the 29er overtake the leading 505 and then steadily pull away on the run to the Avon Buoy. With 2 Tasars hot on their heels we had a decent handicap race on. Thanks to OOD Howard East the leading fast boats were given the opportunity of a second lap – always interesting as the tide had turned in the process. Whilst the 2nd lap was easier going, the Lasers were grateful to be finished at a single lap so our thoughts should go out to the Phantom sailors who ended up doing 2 laps as well.

Apart from a delightful display of gybing capsizes just at the finish from one of the Lasers, there were no other casualties, so a quiet day for the 2 Safety Boats deployed.

The winners by 15 seconds (after handicap) were the visiting Willcocks Twins in their 29er, with 2nd place going to the Tasar of Martin and Ella Gibson and another visiting pair gaining third spot was Mike Pickering and Mike Priddle in their 505. Thanks and appreciation to The Mission to Seaman who have provided this Trophy.

Report by Chris Cooper

Results

1st - James & Anthony Willcocks (29er)

2nd - Martin & Ella Gibson (Tasar)

3rd - Mike Pickering & Mike Priddle (505)

Prize Winners

Regatta 2016

Clevedon Sailing Club's 58th Regatta was held on Monday 2 May 2016.  A 20 knot building to 30 knot south-westerly plus rain, kept visitors and club sailors alike away.  6 boats, each of a different class, braved the elements and left the slipway.  Before the 1st race, Paul Sheldon (Laser) suffered a broken mast on a training beat.  Swiftly towed off the course, he assisted with the Beach Party, which later proved essential.

Race 1 saw the faster handicap boats and club stalwarts unfettered by the worsening conditions.  This included, Martin & Ella Gibson (Tasar), Robin Goff (D-Zero), Stuart Turner and Trevor Baker (420) and Phil Isaac (Phantom).  The conditions proved too much for father and daughter team, Mark and Rachel Elliott (RS200) who retired and returned to the slipway.  At the same time, Phil Isaac's dagger board found a rocky outcrop and he ended up beached precariously below the rocks.  His quick thinking, nimbleness and lightweight boat saved his Phantom from serious damage as he swiftly jumped out, set his boat on the opposite tack and headed off in pursuit of the leaders.   As the boats neared the pier mark they found that it had completely submerged by the rising tide which made for some interesting decisions by the helms on how and where to sail the proper course.

The next sailor to find the conditions too much was Paul Hield (Contender).  Overwhelmed and struggling to control his gybes he capsized several times being simply overpowered.  He retired and was towed home by the Safety Boat who by now were having a busy time of it.   Race 1 saw Martin & Ella Gibson 1st, Robin Goff 2nd, Stuart Turner & Trevor Baker 3rd and Phil Isaac 4th.

The 2nd race, now reduced to just 3 boats saw the wind strength had increased further with large waves now breaking on the shore.  The competitors raced in the deteriorating conditions and it was decided shorten the course.  Race 2 results: Martin & Ella Gibson 1st, Robin Goff 2nd, Phil Isaac 3rd.  Race 3 was abandoned to the comfort of the Clubhouse.

Overall Results

1st: Martin & Ella Gibson (Tasar)

2nd: Phil Isaac (Phanton)

3rd: Robin Goff (D-Zero)

4th: Stuart Turner & Trevor Baker (420)

Overall winners - Martin and Ella Gibson

Overall winners - Martin and Ella Gibson

Easter Bonnet 2016

Five boats took to the water for this year’s Easter Bonnet. Although windy, that did not stop many getting their boats wet for the first time this year. Martin Gibson continued his winning ways, but this time with the help of daughter Ella in the Tasar. Abbi selected a good sized sail for her Laser, being able to comfortably handle the windy conditions. Securing 2nd place.

Phil took 3rd place before suffering boat failure, which saw him take a swim. Paul was travelling well in his Contender taking 4th place and although also went swimming a few times. Is perfecting the art of righting his boat in a super quick time! A slightly fragile Stuart and Trevor were out in their newly purchased 420. Despite having the mast fall, they had just managed to complete the first race.

Day 2 was not able to happen due to storm Katie making it too windy!

 

Results

1st - Martin & Ella Gibson (Tasar)

2nd - Abbi Ruffle (Laser 4.7)

3rd - Phil Isaac (Phantom)

4th - Paul Heild (Contender)

5th - Stuart Turner & Trevor Baker (420)

Sailing Season has Started!

The new sailing season got underway on Sunday 20th March 2016, with six boats taking to the water. The conditions were nice for the first day back, in normal Clevedon fashion slightly changeable. Starting with more wind then forecast in the first race, to dropping off to nearly nothing by the end of the last race.

Martin Gibson got a good start in both, making it difficult to catch him! While the Solo and other Lasers battled it out behind, not far behind having a great race, was Grace Cherry in the Topper who took 2nd place in the first race.

The sun came out and it was a lovely way to start what we hope to be another successful sailing season. Easter weekend has two days of sailing for the Easter Bonnet on Sunday 27th and Monday 28th March 2016 both days’ first race starting at 9am.

Burn's Night - Saturday 23rd January 2016

7.30pm for 8pm

This event is a black tie dinner followed by Clevedon Sailing Club's infamous box auction. And of course Blue (piper) will join us once again to play a jig or two to celebrate the birthday of the famous Scottish poet.

If you would like to attend the social event please let us know your menu choices (please see choices below), by emailing clevedonsailingclub@outlook.com by Monday 18th January.

Christmas Prize Draw

The Christmas draw took place last Friday with a slightly different way of picking the winners. Darts where thrown at the board to hit the baubles, here are a few snaps from the evening...

Thank-you to all those who purchased a bauble



Paper Boat Race 2015

 

Congratulations to this years winner of the Paper Boat Race which took place on Boxing Day. Despite many starters, there were only a select few boats that made it to the other end of the lake, and only one which made it all the way across, this was Jon Summers.

1st

Jon Summers

Lunatics Race - 20th December 2015

Yesterday was the last race of our season, despite quite challenging conditions, there were four 'lunatics' who took to the water.

The wind varied throughout the race, from very strong to easing off and then back strong, which did mean a few swims for Phil! But this did not stop him taking 1st place, followed by Benedict and Rory Whybrow (Tasar) in 2nd and Chris Copper (Laser Radial) 3rd.

Here's to next season - Next years Programme and Open Events schedule to follow.

Race Winner - Phil Isaac (Phantom)

Christmas is coming...

Club looking festive for the Christmas period,

Christmas Party next weekend!

Saturday 19th December 2015 - 8pm