THE conditions were almost ideal for Gunfleet Sailing Club’s race for the Toppo Single Helm Trophy, which was won by long-time member Andy Dunnett.

With just a minute to go before the race commenced, it looked like there could be a general recall, with several dinghies over the line.

However, within seconds, they had sorted themselves out and, as the start flag fell from the yardarm, there was a tight and exciting bunch of dinghies heading up the coast to the Kingscliff buoy.

A north-easterly wind provided the perfect beat and the freshly ebbing tide hurried the competitors on their way.

At this early stage, it was difficult to determine who the front runner was as some craft sailed towards the shore on starboard tack while others, on port, headed out to sea.

It was only as they rounded the first mark and headed out to the Seaward buoy on a broad reach that early positions became clear.

Leading the pack was Dunnett, in his Laser, followed very closely by Harry Swinbourne, also in a Laser, and then Andy Cornforth, in his Laser.

Eddie White was caught out and did a death role in his Laser.

While he soon had the boat upright, he decided to retire closer to shore and enjoy some more relaxed sailing.

For the rest of the competitors, the gybe round Seaward proved uneventful and the boats then pounded in towards the AWS buoy, then round it and back out to Seaward.

The fifth leg was a broad reach down the coast to the St Michael’s buoy, a run to the Pier buoy and a long beat back through the line.

In the very dominant Laser fleet, Rob Lockett was constantly challenging Tom Philpot, while struggling to shake-off Clare Williams in the Solo.

Further back, the Toppers were having their own battle with Harrison Smith holding back nearest rival Alfie Searles.

Having not had the best of starts, Paul Stanton had been quietly picking off his rivals and, at the end of the first lap, he had moved up to second place in his Laser.

Dunnett maintained a good lead and Swinbourne was now in third place.

A second lap saw further changes and the most exciting moment was as the boats went through the line to finish, when Cornforth literally shot past Stanton to take second.

Results: Toppo Single Helm: 1 Laser – Andy Dunnett, 2 Laser – Andy Cornforth, 3 Laser – Paul Stanton.

For those under 18, the race was also for the Cadet Single Helm Trophy.

Taking the honours, and coming fourth overall in the main race, was cadet commodore Harry Swinbourne.

Cadet Single Helm: 1 Laser – Harry Swinbourne, 2 Laser – Tom Philpot, 3 Topper – Harrison Smith.