April - May

The last races of September at Downs SC provided difficult conditions for the competitors with light winds, large waves and a strong tide. The race officer set a windward/leeward course to keep the boats inshore out of the tide, with a beat towards Ramsgate to start. Simon Cory crewed by Clare Hansell and the RS400 of Chris Stubbs and Rick Clemence pulled out a lead ahead of the other Buzzes. Eric Styles, sailing single-handed in his Hornet was also in contention. At the finish, Simon took the honours ahead of Ed Styles and Chris Dutton. Steve Restall was the only slow handicap boat to finish. For the second race the wind increased slightly, but the waves also grew in size, requiring good teamwork at the end to land the boats. Simon took the honours again, but John Cass finished ahead of Ed Styles.

Results Sunday Points 1st Simon Cory and Clare Hansell (Buzz) 2nd Ed and Sarah Styles (Buzz) 3rd Chris Dutton and Martin Wyman (Buzz) 4th John Cass and Julia Brazil (Buzz) 5th Chris Stubbs and Rick Clemence (RS400) Autumn Points 1st Simon Cory and Clare Hansell (Buzz) 2nd John Cass and Julia Brazil (Buzz) 3rd Ed and Sarah Styles (Buzz) 4th Chris Dutton and Martin Wyman (Buzz) 5th Chris Stubbs and Rick Clemence (RS400)

Excellent conditions attracted 18 boats for the Sunday races at Downs SC. The wind was a moderate, but gusty, Southerly with warm Autumn sunshine. The race officer set a large triangle with a beat towards Dover, against the tide to start. In the fast handicap, Nigel Cureton pulled out a lead over Simon Cory crewed by Annie Smith and Ed and Sarah Styles. In the Slow Handicap it was the battle of the single handers, with Chris Catt winning out over Chris Shelton with Roger Phillips and Phil Hallpron close behind. In the 2^nd race, the RS400 of Richard White and Martyn Styles joined the fray. The wind had increased and swung more to the West which led to a few capsizes including both Nigel Cureton and Simon Cory which let Ed Styles and John Cass through to take the 1^st two places. In the slow handicap, the singlehanders continued to dominate with the same results for the top 3, with Frank Catt in 4^th place.

Results Sunday Points Fast Handicap 1^st Nigel Cureton (Contender) 2^nd Simon Cory and Annie Smith (Buzz) 3^rd Ed and Sarah Styles (Buzz) 4^th John Cass and Julia Brazil (Buzz) 5^th Chris Dutton and Martin Wyman (Buzz) 6^th Eric Styles (Hornet) Slow Handicap 1^st Chris Catt (Europe) 2^nd Chris Shelton (Phantom) 3^rd Roger Phillips and Phil Hallpron (Laser 2000) 4^th Frank Catt (Solo) 5^th Nathan Brazil (Topper) 6^th James Blackman (Radial)

Results Autumn Points Fast Handicap 1^st Ed and Sarah Styles (Buzz) 2^nd John Cass and Julia Brazil (Buzz) 3^rd Simon Cory and Henri Giboin (Buzz) 4^th Richard White and Martyn Styles (RS400) 5^th Nigel Cureton (Contender) 6^thChris Dutton and Martin Wyman (Buzz) Slow Handicap 1^st Chris Catt (Europe) 2^nd Chris Shelton (Phantom) 3^rd Roger Phillips and Phil Hallpron (Laser 2000) 4^th Frank Catt (Solo) 5^th Stuart Bradbeer (Laser) 6^th Rosie Lord (Topper)

In contrast to the light winds of the past few weeks, increasing wind conditions which reached Force 6 by lunchtime provided testing conditions for the 22 boats competing for the Norman Atkins trophy at Downs SC. The race officer set a trapezoidal course using two of the club buoys, with a run towards Ramsgate to start. The format of the competition was three short races held back to back. In the 1st race, Simon Cory crewed by Clare Hansell and the RS400 of Richard White and Martyn Styles pulled out a good lead ahead of the other Buzzes. Chris Shelton was keeping in touch with the faster boats and Tony Cook and Nigel Cureton were having a close battle in their Contenders. But it was the Buzz of Simon Cory which took the first race, followed by John Cass then Richard White. The second race followed a similar pattern, but Roger Phillips did well to achieve a fifth place in the increasing wind strength. By the third race the wind was reaching Force 6 with the occasional gust up to 7. This led to a number of retirements including Simon Cory with a broken boom. The rescue boats were kept busy ensuring that capsized boats were not swept down to the pier. John Cass revelled in the conditions to take first position ahead of Richard White. The overall positions were decided on the best 2 results which meant that the trophy winners were Simon Cory and Clare Hansell with John Cass and Julia Brazil in 2nd place.

Results Norman Atkins Trophy 1st Simon Cory and Clare Hansell (Buzz) 2nd John Cass and Julia Brazil (Buzz) 3rd Richard White and Martyn Styles (RS400) 4th Chris Shelton (Phantom) 5th Nigel Cureton (Contender) 6th Tony Cook (Contender)

On 9^th September Downs SC members travelled to Herne Bay SC for the annual Man of Kent competition which is open to all dinghy sailors in East Kent. Three races were planned, but the wind failed to cooperate and the title was decided on a single race. A large fleet of 70 boats took part and Downs SC teams performed well taking 4 out of the top 10 positions and also winning the ladies trophy. The breeze, which initially was a promising Force 2-3 before the race dropped away to Force 1-2 for the start. Chris and Nikki Catt, last year’s winners, rounded the windward mark ahead of many faster boats. Next Downs boat round was Chris Dutton and Martin Wyman followed closely by Richard White and Martyn Styles. Simon Cory and Annie Smith made up ground on the run and on the subsequent beat pulled ahead of Chris and Martin. Although the fleet sailed another lap, with the wind dying, they ran out of time and so the title was decided on the positions at the end of the 1^st lap. The winners were Mark Barnes and Peter Nicholson in a B14 from Whitstable YC, just ahead of Chris and Nikki Catt from Downs SC in an RS200.

Man of Kent Results (Downs SC boats) 2^nd Chris and Nikki Catt (RS200) 6^th Simon Cory and Annie Smith (Buzz) 7^th Richard White and Martyn Styles (RS400) 8^th Chris Dutton and Martin Wyman (Buzz) Ladies Trophy Clare Stubbs (RS200)

Excellent conditions attracted 18 boats for the Sunday races at Downs SC. The wind was a moderate, but gusty, Westerly with warm Autumn sunshine. The race officer set a large triangle using two of the club buoys, with a reach towards Ramsgate to start. In the fast handicap, Ed and Sarah Styles pulled out a lead over Simon Cory crewed by Henry Giboin and Chris Dutton with Nathan Brazil who had a close battle throughout. In the Slow Handicap it was the battle of the single handers, with Chris Shelton winning out over Chris Catt and Jeremy Daniels. In the 2nd race, the B14 of Richard White and Martyn Styles joined the fray. The International 14 of Tony Cook and Nigel Cureton suffered from the gusty conditions with the odd capsize. But it was the Buzz of Simon Cory which pulled away, followed by Ed Styles and Chris Dutton with John Cass close behind. In the slow handicap, the singlehanders continued to dominate with the same results for the top 3, however Roger Phillips pulled up into 4th place.

Results Sunday Points Fast Handicap 1st Ed and Sarah Styles (Buzz) 2nd Simon Cory and Henri Giboin (Buzz) 3rd Chris Dutton and Nathan Brazil (Buzz) 4th John Cass and Julia Brazil (Buzz) 5th Tony Cook and Nigel Cureton (International 14) Slow Handicap 1st Chris Shelton (Phantom) 2nd Chris Catt (Europe) 3rd Jeremy Daniels (Streaker) 4th Frank Catt (Solo) 5th Annie Smith (Byte) 6th James Blackman (Radial) Results Autumn Points Fast Handicap 1st Simon Cory and Henri Giboin (Buzz) 2nd Ed and Sarah Styles (Buzz) 3rd Chris Dutton and Nathan Brazil (Buzz) 4th John Cass and Julia Brazil (Buzz) 5th Chris and Helen Stubbs (RS400) 6th Richard White and Martyn Styles (B14) Slow Handicap 1st Chris Shelton (Phantom 2nd Chris Catt (Europe) 3rd Jeremy Daniels (Streaker) 4th Roger Phillips and Atticus Hansell (Laser 2000) 5th Frank Catt (Solo) 6th Annie Smith (Byte)

The commodore’s cup was raced in Topper dinghies in perfect conditions on Bank Holiday Monday at the Downs SC. 22 took part and after having 8 heats the best 10 went through into to semi finals. From these 6 were selected for the final.

After being over the line in the final Rob Waite had to restart and go to the back of the fleet which turned out to be an advantage as a huge wind shift ment that he could then make the first mark in one ahead of the rest of the fleet. From that point on he was never rearly challenged. The battle taking place for 2nd place between Mitch Webb and James Blackman but Mitch's experience put him in good stead despite being challenged by James to cross the line a couple of boat lengths ahead.

1st Rob Waite

2nd Mitch Webb

3rd James Blackman

On Saturday Downs Sailing club had a trip out to the Goodwin Sands. Winds gusting up to force 5 led to some exhilarating sailing for the 28 participants. On the sands the sport continued with cricket and beach volleyball before another fast and exciting trip back to the mainland.

Elsewhere, Herne Bay SC provided excellent organization and warm hospitality for the Buzz National Championship which consisted of 9 races held over 3 days.

On Day 1, the wind was light and variable which led to the abandonment of race 1 after the wind died on the first beat. Two further races were held after a wait for the wind to fill in and Simon Cory and Annie Smith from Downs SC showed their intentions by winning both, ahead of Paul Clements and Andy Holmes from Chew Valley SC. Behind them Stuart Bailey and Ed Styles took 3rd and 4th places respectively.

Day 2 dawned with slightly more wind, again from a Northerly direction which swung to North-East and increased slightly in the afternoon. There were some new faces at the front, with Chris Dutton and Nathan Brazil taking a second place in race 5 but Simon Cory remained firmly in control posting three further wins and a fourth. Paul Clements and Stuart Bailey continued to fight for second place overall, with Paul slightly ahead after taking a win in race 5. Further back, Ed Styles, John Cass and Chris Dutton continued to have a close battle with Ed gaining the upper hand with a 3rd and two 4ths. In the rerun of race 1 a collision at the leeward mark resulted in a slight injury to John Cass when he was forced to gybe, however he gained redress from the protest committee when the offender accepted a 20% penalty. The crews got to stretch their legs at last in this race when the wind freshened enough to allow trapezing.

On the final day, the fleet was greeted by a moderate breeze and some large waves for the first race which allowed some good surfing on the downwind leg. Stuart Bailey and Zoe Noble revelled in the conditions to take 1st place keeping them neck and neck with Paul Clements in the hunt for 2nd place. Simon Cory and Annie Smith scored a 1st and a 2nd which allowed them to retire from the final race knowing that the Championship was theirs. However for the rest of the fleet there was everything to play for and the final race proved to be the most dramatic of the series. After a restart for a large windshift, Paul Clements and Chris Dutton both stayed close to the shore whilst the rest of the fleet went out to sea looking for more wind, this gave them a big lead at the windward mark and after the run they continued with the same tactics for the final beat. The wind began to die away and in the strong tide the boats had to go almost to remains of Herne Bay pier before turning downtide for the windward mark. But then a large windshift allowed John Cass and Julia Brazil, who had gone out to sea, to lay the windward mark ahead of the leaders. They rounded with a comfortable lead to win the race ahead of Ed Styles and Chris Dutton. This race determined the final results, with Paul Clements taking 2nd place overall ahead of Stuart Bailey, who retired and John Cass taking 5th place overall by dint of his win. Credit must go to Herne Bay SC and Race Officer John Bennett, who ran an excellent Championship, both on and off-shore in difficult wind conditions. Buzz National Championship Results 1st Simon Cory and Annie Smith (Downs SC) 2nd Paul Clements and Andy Holmes (Chew Valley SC) 3rd Stuart Bailey and Zoe Noble (Medway YC) 4th Ed and Sarah Styles (Downs SC) 5th John Cass and Julia Brazil (Downs SC) 6th Chris Dutton and Nathan Brazil (Downs SC)

Light rain and grey skies did not look promising for the start of racing at the Downs SC, but once out on the water, the conditions improved with a steady Force 4 from the South which increased slightly for the second race. The course was a large triangle using the club buoys, with a beat towards Dover to start. In the fast handicap, Simon Cory pulled out a lead over Chris Dutton and Ed Styles who had a close battle throughout with Ed just ahead on the finish line. Steve and Judy Restall, equipped with a new mast, took the honours in the Slow Handicap ahead of Phil and Dave Spicer in a Laser 2000. In the 2^nd race, the Laser 4000 of Rick Clemence and Mitch Webb joined the fray, along with Richard White in an RS400. But it was the Buzz of Ed Styles which pulled away, followed by Simon Cory and Chris Dutton, the latter dropped back after a capsize on the final reach. In the slow handicap, the Laser 2000s dominated, with Phil Spicer finishing ahead of Roger Phillips.

Results Sunday Points Fast Handicap 1^st Simon Cory and Annie Smith (Buzz) 2^nd Ed and Sarah Styles (Buzz) 3^rd Chris Dutton and Henri Giboin (Buzz) 4^th Chris Stubbs and John Sharvill (RS400) 5^th Eric Styles and Sebastian Hansell (Hornet) 6^th Stuart Wilson and Guy Askew (RS400) Slow Handicap 1^st Steve and Judy Restall (RS200) 2^nd Phil and Dave Spicer (Laser 2000) 3^rd Pete Lindley (Byte) 4^th Atticus Hansell and Roger Phillips (Laser 2000) 5^th Phil Halldron (Topper).

Results Summer Points Fast Handicap 1^st Ed and Sarah Styles (Buzz) 2^nd Simon Cory and Annie Smith (Buzz) 3^rd Richard White and Dave Webb (RS400) 4^th Mitch Webb and Rick Clemence (Laser 4000) 5^th Nigel Cureton (Contender) 6^th Chris Dutton and Henri Giboin (Buzz) Slow Handicap 1^st Phil and Dave Spicer (Laser 2000) 2^nd Roger Phillips and Atticus Hansell (Laser 2000) 3^rd Steve and Judy Restall (RS200) 4^th Pete Lindley (Byte) 5^th Tim Waite and John Sharvill (Laser 2000)

There was still a good breeze blowing for both Tuesday and Thursday evening points races at the Downs, Richard White and Martyn Styles in a RS400 winning again in the fast Handicap fleet from Ed and Sarah Styles in a Buzz a repeat of last weeks Tuesday regatta race positions. On Thursday evening the Slow handicap fleet saw a much larger number of competitors than the fast handicap fleet which is not normally the case. The race was hotly contested with positions changing frequently through out the race. Eventually the two youngsters of Nathan Brazil in his Topper and James Blackman in his Laser Radial taking first and second position respectively. Roger Philips had been out in front but his spinnaker became jammed on the final lap which lost him valuable time and the race finishing in third.

Sunday saw the hottest day of the year but despite the forecast what little breeze there was died completely during the first race and only Chris and Nikki and Catt managed to finish the race in their RS200 and racing was abandoned for the day.

August - September 2007 5/8/07 22/8/07 27/8/07 2/9/07 9/9/07 16/9/07 23/9/07 30/9/07