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.

1st R Goff (D Zero)

2nd M Gibson and A Cherry (Tasar)

3rd B Mclaughlin (Topper)

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.

1st Phil Isaac (Phantom)

2nd Robin Goff (Laser)

3rd Alex Knight and Lorna Graham (Lark)

News