Yachting World Dayboat Open at Gravesend Sailing Club
by Steve Davies 16 Oct 2021 12:19 BST
11-12 September 2021
Finally, on the weekend of 11th and 12th September, Gravesend Sailing Club held an extremely successful Open Event - the first since lockdown restrictions were removed - with a record number of visiting boats, and even visiting spectators.
On Saturday the fleet of twelve Yachting World Day Boats raced upriver to Greenhithe in a pleasantly fresh wind; testing their skills in making best use of the tide and avoiding wind shadows, as well as avoiding warships and other craft heading upriver, in an effort to take the lead. The fleet rounded a mark close to Greenhithe slipway before heading back to Gravesend for a home-cooked meal and social evening in the Clubhouse.
On Sunday racing was off the Gordon Promenade; fortunate because the wind was very light. Progress against the tide was difficult, and sometimes backwards, with dinghies anchoring rather than getting swept upriver, a good test of their seamanship skills! Ultimately racing was abandoned for the day.
Overall Results:
1st - Michael Hewitt (Visitor from the Royal Yachting Association)
2nd - Richard Twyman (Gravesend Sailing Club)
3rd - Tim Parkinson (Visitor from Thornbury Sailing Club) - a regular visitor to Gravesend, and the oldest competitor in the event by a good margin.
Gravesend SC welcomes new members of all ages and experience levels; we offer a variety of RYA training courses, as well as informal and friendly mentoring from members. For more information, see our website, www.gravesendsailingclub.org.uk, drop in at the clubhouse, or contact our Membership Secretary, Val -