Sunday 14th July dawned with bright blue skies and a light wind. Preparations started early for the regatta with everyone rigging in the compound. The breeze built as the helms and crews started to move their boats to the beach. The RNLI Pennant was contested by 18 boats with guest sailors from W&FYC and Gunfleet Sailing Club adding to the Clacton Sailors. There was a mix of Catamarans and Dinghies, as is often the case the Laser (ILCA) Class was the best represented with sailors using each rig variant. There were two capsizes before the start and unfortunately Russell Sole sailing in his Pico had to retire from the race. The race was keenly contested throughout the fleet over a number of laps. The Catamarans revelling in the sunny champagne conditions with crews trapezing or double trapezing. The A Class Cats and F18 quickly stretched away into a lead. With tight racing between Peter Boxer and Tim Dye. The F18 with Brian Allen and Rob Mitchell looked impressive with its asymmetric spinnaker set for large portions of the course took Line Honours.. Paul Stanton visiting form Gunfleet sailing a full rig Laser came across the line some 13 minutes later but on Handicap won the RNLI Pennant from Pete Boxer in 2nd and Tim dye in 3rd. This race is unusual as the entry fees are a generous donation to the RNLI which raised £160.51
In the afternoon the CUDC and Cadet cups were raced for, the fleet was slightly smaller as some of the sailors had returned to Gunfleet after the morning race. Again the A Class and F18 were the pathfinders and led from the first buoy. The F18 capsized on the reaching leg out to seaward buoy. Peter Boxer and Tim Dye were in a tussle for the lead initially with Pete slowly extending this over the 4 laps. In this Race Pete Boxer took the line honours and a overall win from Tim Dye, followed by Tim Woods and Sarah Elliott in their Wayfarer in third place. So at the end of the day we had representatives from all three clubs on the podium. In the Cadet race within the race the main contenders were sailing different types of Laser with Harry, Arlo and Drew all in contention. Harry Baldwin was the eventual winner sailing his Laser Radial. The sailing was followed by a BBQ and prize giving. Many thanks to all the sailors, guests and as ever the volunteers that made this a such an enjoyable and memorable day.
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