Clevedon Sailing Club Regatta 2015
by Martin Gibson 27 Jul 2015 13:08 BST
26 July 2015
Clevedon Sailing Club Regatta prize winners © Paul Sheldon & Pete Barker
Clevedon Sailing Club's 57th regatta was held on Sunday 26th July. Although the wind was howling the sea was dead flat sheltered from the southerly wind. A course large course was set offshore, hopefully in stronger, less gusty winds.
Race 1 saw the faster handicap boats of Phil Isaac (Phantom), Robin Goff (D Zero) and Alex East (Phantom) breaking away from the slower boats with Ian Hotchkiss and Andy Black (505) eventually catching them up. The slower boats struggled in the fickle conditions with much place changing. Goff finished 1st on handicap with Isaac 2nd and Martin Gibson (Laser) 3rd.
By the start of race 2 the sky and blackened as a strong rain squall passed through and the wind slowly swung towards the west. The faster handicap boats once again led from the start but were unable to establish a significant lead on Lasers of Gibson and Stuart Turner. Goff retired with gear failure leaving Gibson to finish first on handicap with Turner 2nd and Isaac 3rd.
By the start of race 3 the wind strength had increased further and large waves had built up. Several boats retired to the safety of the shore. Once again Isaac led the fleet around the course but with very little lead on Gibson and a capsize at the last gybe finished 2nd with Paul Sheldon (Laser) 3rd. Turner capsized and lost his rudder and Sarah Hotchkiss (Solo) capsized on the run and was unable to right the boat. Both helm and boat were recovered after the end of the race with the RNLI standing by.
Overall Results:
1st Martin Gibson (Laser Radial)
2nd Stuart Turner (Laser Radial)
3rd Phil Isaac (Phantom)