Racing begins at Southwold

Sailing:

Southwold Sailing Club held the first two races in their summer series on Sunday.

Conditions were lively with a gusty Force 3-5 Southerly breeze against the flood tide. Inshore the sea state was fairly flat but at the wing mark it was lumpy resulting in a number of capsizes, particularly in the asymmetric classes.

Richard Seppings and Dirk Bougard in their Laser 4000 won race 1 from Mike Gower in his Contender and Hugh Fielden and Richard Symes in their 505. Gower may well have won if it were not for trapeze harness problems resulting in him swimming on a couple of occasions, as he was sailing extremely fast in his favourite conditions.

The wing mark saw plenty of action as crews flew into the gybe at high speed in the rough water and many found themselves doing some swimming.

In Race 2 Seppings and Bougard once again showed superior boat handling to take first place this time from the 505's of Hugh Fielden and Richard Symes in 2nd and Greg Brown and Ian Whitehead in 3rd.

The wing mark was once again the place to be to watch the synchronised swimming event.

Results

Race 1: 1st Richard Seppings and Dirk Bougard Laser 4000, 2nd Mike Gower Contender, 3rd Hugh Fielden and Richard Symes 505.

Race 2: 1st Richard Seppings and Dirk Bougard Laser 4000, 2nd Hugh Fielden and Richard Symes 505, 3rd Greg Brown and Ian Whitehead 505,

This weekend the East Coast Asymmetric Series comes to Southwold with racing on Saturday and Sunday.

If conditions are similar to last weekend this could provide some excellent entertainment for spectators. Normal club racing begins again on Sunday June 30 with the Sizewell Buoy Race for both dinghies and cruisers.

Bookings are also being taken for the summer party on Saturday July 13.

For more details of these events or other club activities call (01986) 798855 or check out the club website www.southwoldsailingclub.co.uk