Channel Race

Nine boats turned out for this year’s Channel Race. Competitors choose their own start time aiming to round the half way mark, Denny Isle off Portishead, at high tide. Although light winds were predicted the race was held in fairly steady force 3 to 4 breeze from the North East. First away, almost 2 hours before HW was Martin White and Tony Cherry (Vision) followed after by the Firefly of Richard White and his daughter Kelly. They were soon joined by the faster Phantom of Phil Isaac and the Taser of Ian and Sarah Hotchkiss.

After long beat against the wind the Firefly was first to round the Isle about 30 mins

earlier than anticipated. Isaac and Paul Hield (Contender) overhauled slower boats starting before them round the Isle next. Stuart and Jack Butter (Lark) were last to start and last to round just behind visitors Mike Burke and Lou (Kestrel) from Sutton Bingham SC

The return leg was a long run enabling the faster boats to surf down the waves. Despite 2 capsizes conditions suited the Laser of Martin Gibson who completed the course in 2 hours 30mins, slightly slower than Isaac at 2 hours 24mins and Hield at 2 hours 28mins. The slowest boat took 3 hours 6mins to complete the course.

Results

(corrected to handicaps)

1st - Martin Gibson

2nd - Richard and Kelly White

3rd (joint) - Stuart Turner and Trevor Baker

3rd (joint) - Phil Isaac

Race Rules Night - 24 April 2015

The Sailing Committee has great pleasure in inviting all sailing club members and guests to attend a talk on RACE RULES by renowned ISAF rules specialist JON NAPIER.

Jon is the Competitions Manager and In-House Counsel at the International Sailing Federation and a highly respected expert on the ISAF racing rules.  He regularly attends events worldwide.  His talk will begin with ‘the basics’, which he then develops and illustrates with various common scenarios. His style is entertaining and informal and questions can be asked at any time. 

Jon is a lawyer by profession specialising in Sports Resolution and Arbitration. His expertise and clarity on racing is both compelling and understandable and will appeal to everyone from regular and occasional racers, cadets and ‘experts’.

Please note: The bar will be open from 7.00 pm but is likely to be closed at 7.30 pm in order not to disturb the presentation. Please arrive in time to get a drink and settle down for what is likely to be a very enjoyable and informative event!

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE!

The Sailing Committee

Easter Bonnet - 12 April 2015

Clevedon Sailing Club’s 2015 season opened last weekend with the Easter Bonnet held on Sunday. Only 6 boats turned out on the day, probably due the gale warning forecast the previous evening. Competitors were not disappointed and the 3 races were held in strong south westerly winds. Race 1 saw Stuart Turner in the Laser Radial not far behind the faster Phantom of Phil Isaac and D-Zero of Robin Goff beating them both on handicap. Both Isaac and Goff capsized at the gybe mark in race 2 and after difficulties righting the boats decided to join the Vision of Martin and Monty White ashore. Turner went on to win with Gibson, who had also capsized, just behind him. Only the 3 Laser Radials of Turner, Baker and Gibson were left for race 3 with Gibson leading from start to finish.

Results

1st - Stuart Turner (Laser Radial)

2nd - Martin Gibson (Laser Radial)

3rd - Trevor Baker (Laser Radial)

Phil Issac (Phantom)

Sailing - 29 March 2015

Due to the high winds, sadly the first races of the season have been cancelled.  

Autumn Trophy - 5 October 2014

Deterred by the strong winds only 7 boats launched for this year’s Autumn Trophy open meeting. However the forecasted gale never appeared and those that did take part had exciting sailing with a course set with 2 good reaching legs. Robin Goff sailing his D Zero for the first time took the lead  from the start of the first race but was overtaken by the Tasar of Martin Gibson and Tony Cherry when he got into ‘irons’ at the sea mark. Gibson and Cherry held the lead until the end of the race.

Race 2 saw several boats finding the high winds and big waves not to their liking and going ashore. Gibson and Cherry again led to the finish but the D Zero proved to as fast off wind and was never far behind. The Visions of Trevor Baker crewed by Mike Mclaughlin and Benedict Wybrow crewed by another novice didn’t find conditions too difficult with their heavy hulls and Ben Mclaughlin showed great determination sailing one of the club’s Toppers.

By race 3 the wind had increased slightly and everyone was tired so OOD Anthony Rees decided to limit it to1 lap. After taking the lead from the start Gibson and Cherry capsized at the first mark leaving Goff little competition for the rest of the race.

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1st  R Goff (D Zero)

2nd  M Gibson and A Cherry (Tasar)

3rd  B Mclaughlin (Topper)

Town Plate - 6 September 2014

After several windless days Clevedon S.C. were concerned that there would be sufficient wind to run this year’s Town Plate Open event rescheduled from earlier in the season when there was too much wind. However, Saturday dawned with a very light breeze and the race started after a 30 minute delay as a handicap rather than the traditional pursuit type race. Race officer Stuart Butter set a small figure of eight course in the bay.

Richard White sailing his newly acquired RS 400 with his daughter Kelly took the lead from the start closely followed by Martin Gibson in his Laser. His decision to fly his spinnaker on the 3rd leg cost him dearly in the strong tide and Gibson took the lead at the 2nd sea mark until overtaken by the faster Phantom of Phil Isaac near the end of the first lap.

By the time the leading boats rounded the sea mark for the 2nd time Gibson had been overhauled by the Lark of Alex Knight crewed by Lorna Graham and again by the RS 400. The wind died at this point leaving Gibson struggling to avoid going under the pier whilst the Lasers of Robin Goff and Chris Cooper managed to go straight to the next mark. This left Isaac clear ahead with the Lark and the RS400 battling out behind with Goff following and Gibson playing catch up. Slower handicap boats were unable to make ground over the tide and  most retired.

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1st Phil Isaac (Phantom)

2nd Robin Goff (Laser)

3rd Alex Knight and Lorna Graham (Lark)