April - May

April – May 2009

5th April 12th April 26th April 4th May 10th May 17th May 24th May 31st May

31st May
Twenty four booats took part in the 'Fred Herbert ' cup race on Sunday 24th May. There were three short races and all had to count. Fred Herbert himself would have no doubt been in the thick of the action whether casting his eye from the beach or the bridge. He might not have guessed a race in his memory though. Like invaders from another planet the Johnson duo, son-in-law and daughter of the club treasurer Mike Heeley, took the race by storm in an RS800 finishing 1st twice and 2nd once. There were few crumbs for the others to fight for, but Simon Cory and Claire Hansell took second and new faces in the top three Hamish.W. and Claire .S. took third in an RS200. Notable however in race 3 was a cheeky win for Brian Cory in his Mirror and Seb Hansell 3rd in his Topper. In relation to cars Mirror aka Austin A30, RS800 aka Ferrari.

The Stour race on the bank holiday Monday took boats in a fierce northerly and high seas to the quay at Sandwich. Threee rescue boats accompanied the ' task force' and were kept very busy with constant capsizes. As per usual the wind dropped up the narrow river to make life more awkward, but did not stop Simon Cory and Claire Hansell finishing 1st with the excitement of John Cass and Julia Blackman beating the Styles duo by just seconds.

Sunday the 31st May saw the 'Lets get racing' race cancelled due to high waves for the launch a F4 northerly but hot sun. However for the points race 22 boats nervously prepared inspired by the awesome sight of Nigel Cureton in his Contender going like a 'bat out of hell'! This could only bring him third place though behind the Styles duo and yes you guessed it Simon Cory and Claire Hansell 1st. Half way through the year should get the covers off for the more sedate members, see you there.

24th May
A supine series of evening sails started on Tuesday 19th of May, with winds dying as hulls hit the water. However at least 19 boats got out and took in the fresh evening air and sunset. Third on Tuesday evening was John Wilkinson and Will Hardy in an Albacore, 2nd was Eric Styles in a laser, and first was the Restall duo in their RS200. The third spot in the fast race was taken by Ed and Sarah Styles, who are clocking up the points , Chris Stubbs and Frank Catt were 2nd in an RS400, and 1st was Simon Cory and Seb Hansell in the gleaming new Buzz.

Thursday suffered a limp wind and a strong tide with 18 boats. The slow race saw Paul and Deb Harris finish 3rd in an Laser2000, 2nd was Phil and Dave Spicer also in a Laser2000, and you've guessed it the winning boat was also the same class with Roger Philips and Atticus Hansell on board. Heike has recorded two finishes in a week in her Laser, and is cranking up her season, however the Restalls in their RS200 did not finish, could this be a slippery slope? For the fast result see Tuesday , except change Seb for his mother. Spare a thought for the beefy 'A Cat' in the hands of Brian Cory which beat all other boats but was placed last due to handicap, its a cruel world sailing.

17th May

Alas ! a poor last week for club events due to the 'cruel sea'. Last Tuesday the 12th was wrecked with a vicious NE gale, yet the Thursday was be-calmed. Most boats got onto the water yet were unable to cross the start line and had to be towed to shore.This of course was not a problem for the 'big guns' who persevered. Simon Cory and Claire Hansell first in their Buzz, Richard White and Martyn Styles second in their RS400, with the Restalls third in their RS200.

With that excitement over all eyes were on the weekend events, with its training day for single handers on Saturday, and the Kent Topper races held on Sunday.Only around twenty boats turned up but this indicated weather forbodings! A vicious SW gale persisted for the whole weekend, including squalls of rain.Youngsters however who did muster for the first race, were delighted it seemed, to be in such problematic conditions and didn't mind capsizing and sustaining damage before everything was abandoned in good spirits. Thanks to all who manned the two days. Let's hope that the evening sails begin to have more luck and match last years consistant winds.

10th May
It's that time again folks for the evening sailing and dispel the goggle box ! Last weeks races were 7p.m starts but will be 7.30 p.m from now on. The first Tuesday was cancelled, probably just as well following two days of solid racing including the bank holiday.
Thursday saw only 10 boats go out in SW gusts and an ominous light. Simon Cory and Claire Hansell came first in their Buzz, followed by Ed and Sarah Styles in their Buzz. Nathan Brasil brought the slow fleet home in a Topper. Sunday,s 'Lets get racing' started with the prompt lecture at 9a.m then onto the water for tutored racing. There were 6 Toppers and no less than 5 Laser 2000's. Seb Hansell took his mother's place next to Simon Cory to claim 1st in the new Buzz. Alec Church was 2nd in his unstoppable Topper, Martyn Wyman and Chris Dutton third in their not so new Buzz. The Spring points that followed had 28 boats of 11 different classes including the more unusual RS500 and a '14'. Light and variable winds gave a gentle race won by Richard White and Frank Catt in an RS400, Chris and Nicki Catt 2nd in the RS500 and Simon Cory and Claire Hansell third in their Buzz. Spare a thought for the rescue boat crews who were on the water for nearly 4 hours. Though dozes were snatched, a dead fish spotted and a large log avoided. Due to technical difficulties the spring 'Making Waves' has been delayed but should be with members imminently we apologise for that. Saturday the 16th of May see's single hander training and Sunday the 17th the points race if defered to host a Topper/Laser open meeting.

4th May
There was a cornucopia of sailing at the club over the bank holiday weekend with fair, gusty at times mainly SW
winds.
The first activity to attend was the 'Lets get Racing' course run by Chris Shelton and John Cass on Sunday at 9.am.
20 boats took part in this well planned course, for beginners and experienced who might have gone rusty around the edges.
The race that followed the tuition was won by Alec church in a Topper.

The 5th Spring points of the season soon followed with 21 boats taking part. The normal 'big three' at the moment took the top places. Simon Cory and Claire Hansell 1st in their Buzz, Chris Shelton 2nd in his Phantom, and Richard White and Frank Catt 3rd in an RS400.

The two events so far had used 30 different boats, and this Spring there seems to be a sailing frenzy in the air.
The two long distance cup races on the Monday were for fast and slow handicaps with a single start. The fast was won by Simon Cory and Claire Hansell in their Buzz, 2nd Ed and Sarah Styles Buzz, and Richard White and Martyn Styles 3rd in thie RS 400.

The slow race was far more interesting with new member D. Jibb from the Seasalter club winning in his Enterprise, Chris Shelton 2nd in his Phantom and Jeremy Blackman in his Laser, a well earned third, though he did capsize on the way in !

Talking point however of the day was Rosie Lord, who has finally ditched Toppers and entered the water for the first time in a sleek and sexy Byte. Hooray!

26th April
A very warm Southerly but with a strong North flowing tide made life difficult for the single handers on Sunday. This produced short tacking close to the beach and the bigger boats grabbing the first 4 places. Richard White and Dave Webb were first in an RS400, Chris Stubbs and 'Ian' were 2nd in the same class, Mark and Clinton Styles 3rd in a Hornet. No doubt the Buzz fleet would have had something to say about the lead positions, but were otherwise engaged in competition at Herne Bay! Of the 15 boats that started the race it would seem many more were being prepared on the beach for a later spring start. The beach was littered with tool boxes and new faces working on amongst others Mirrors, Laser 2000's and Bytes. Amongst all this melee the powerboat racing course was being conducted an excuse for some to let their hair down for others the essential duty of running the rescue boats

12th April
A hazy slight N.W. was enough to provide Easter Sunday with a decent competition.

The single start provided rich pickings for the single handers with Chris Catt 1st in his "Europe" with Chris Shelton 2nd in his "Phantom" with Steve and Julie Restall in their RS200 flying the flag for the two handers in 3rd.

To the casual observer the RS400 of Richard White and Martyn Styles was 1st around everything but were reduced to 6th through handicap. It is clear though that there will be fierce rivalry with Simon Cory and Clare Hansell all year in their "Bizz", which is so new it doesn`t even have sail numbers!

Eleven types of craft were on show, unusual amongst these was a welcome return to Jeremy Dan in his "Streaker" after injury.

Also of note was a top 5 finish for Seb Hansell in a "topper", but the lazer fleet are not firing on all cylinders yet.

These are early days with most wet suits yet to be dusted down.

5th April

Greetings for the start of the new seasons racing !
The fitting out supper on the 4th was a packed affair with a delicious buffet, with thanks to the highly efficient organisers.

Warmth and limped seas greeted the first race of the Downs sailing club calender on Sunday.
Perhaps the genteel start suited the nervous, with brand new boats and untested rigs were put through their paces for the first time.
There was no holding back for Simon Cory and Clare Hansell though, in a brand new bespoke Buzz, with the well tested RS400 of Richard White and Martyn Styles in second with stalwarts Ed and Sarah Styles in 3rd.
The single handers faired poorly with the strong tides and lack of winds .
A sinister mist crept over the beach as the last boat returned to shore, but the talk was all about losing weight not the weather !

Don't forget for the non starters so far, there are two races for the Easter weekend, with the medallion race on Easter Monday , get out there !