GUNFLEET Sailing Club’s 2018 Regatta, sponsored by Clacton Discount Windows and Conservatories, was hailed a total success by all those taking part, with a wide selection of trophy winners following a weekend of very enjoyable sailing.

On Saturday it was Cadet Day, which started with an all-in handicap race for the Cadet Day Cup.

In an impressively close start, it was good to see Harrison Smith forge ahead in his Topper, while just behind him were Harry Swinbourne and Jessica McLean-Wright in their Topaz.

Several other Topazes and Toppers followed and bringing-up the rear were Ed Philpot and Henry Spooner in their 405, this being the first time the two had paired-up together.

The light onshore breeze aided the fleet on its way to the Kingscliff buoy, as well as helping the craft to combat the flooding tide.

The second leg proved toughest as the boats headed out to the Seaward mark for however high they pointed they found themselves being swept towards Clacton Pier.

Owen and Lauren Hooper, realising the problem, soon headed towards Frinton and it was at this point that Philpot and Spooner settled down and started to pick off their rivals, one by one.

The course was quickly shortened and the boats slowly made their way to the finish line.

Results: Cadet Day Trophy: 1 405 – Ed Philpot and Henry Spooner, 2 Topper – Ted Newson, 3 Topaz – George Smith and Tom Philpot.

After a free lunch for all the competitors, it was on with the water-based games, arranged by cadet commodore Harry Swinbourne and cadet vice-commodore Tom Philpot.

Sunday was the Gunfleet Regatta’s main race day, open to visiting sailors, and it was good to welcome dinghies from West Mersea, North Herts and East Beds, as well as neighbouring Clacton Sailing Club.

The very light south-easterly breeze proved insufficient for the foiling Moth to be able to rise out of the water, much to the disappointment of the very many onlookers, but the first race, for the RNLI Charity Shield, still made a fine sight. First across the start line was Andy Cornforth in his Laser, with Dave Fowell and Amy Hart just behind in their GP14, but it was just seconds before Pete Boxer powered his A Class catamaran into a strong lead.

Bunched closely behind was a “gaggle” of Lasers, an RS200, Peter Downer’s Comet, and a couple of Hurricane catamarans.

It proved a pleasant fetch to the Kingscliff buoy and then a beat out to Seaward, before a run to Eastcliff, beat back to Seaward and a very broad reach down the coast to St Michael’s buoy, the flood tide assisting all competitors on the way. After that it was simply make your way back to the line with another long fetch. On the downwind legs it was good to see so many spinnakers flying, on both dinghies and catamarans, the extra power helping to push the craft forward.

The biggest battle raged between the Laser class with places swapping constantly.

At the end of the first lap it was Sonny Hart in first position in his Blaze, Pete Boxer second in his A Class and John Tappenden third in his Laser.

Further down the fleet the positions kept changing, particularly as the second lap progressed, with the light winds getting even lighter at times.

With the end in sight, it was clear that nothing was set in stone and as the race concluded it was Tappenden that just clinched the race.

Results: RNLI Charity Shield: 1 Laser – John Tappenden, 2 Blaze – Sonny Hart, 3 RS200 – Harry Swinbourne and Jessica McLean-Wright.

First Cadet: RS200 – Harry Swinbourne and Jessica McLean-Wright.

In the afternoon there was class racing, starting with the catamarans and then, at five minute intervals, it was the turn of the Toppers, Topazes, Comets, GP14s, 405s, Lasers, and, finally, the menagerie fleet.

With courses set to suit each class, it led to some super sailing with exciting tussles between competitors.

The biggest disappointment was in the 405 fleet when disqualifications and retirements meant nobody actually completed the race in their class.

Results – Class Racing Winners: David Foster Catamaran Challenge Trophy: A Class – Pete Boxer; Mad Hatter Trophy – Toppers: Harrison Smith; Tim Webster Tankard – Comets: Peter Downer; Bell Trophy – GP14s: Dave Fowell and Amy Hart; Helmsdale Trophy – 405s: No finishers; Paxton Trophy – Lasers: Andy Cornforth; 1893 Regatta Trophy – Menagerie: Blaze – Sonny Hart.