IT was the turn of the slow-handicapped boats to race at Gunfleet Sailing Club, with the honours going to commodore Richard Walker and cadet Henry Spooner.

The Potterer’s Pot race, specifically for Toppers, Topazes, Comets and Sea Rangers, saw all four classes represented in almost perfect conditions.

In a southerly force three to four, coupled with blue skies and sunshine, it was Walker and Spooner that led the fleet in their Sea Ranger at the start, although Peter Downer was snapping at their heels in his Comet.

Downer then decided to tack out to sea on this first leg and make the most of the last of the flood tide, as the competitors sailed close-hauled down the coast to the Eastcliff buoy.

On the following reach out to the Seaward mark, Downer pulled away while setting a perfect course in his Topper, Harry Swinbourne overtook Walker and Spooner.

The third leg was a run to the Kingscliff buoy but, unfortunately, Downer headed to the wrong mark and by the time he realised he had lost a lot of ground.

Leading the Topaz fleet were father and daughter Steve and Daisy Swinbourne and, despite a disappointing start, they were clearly gaining ground as the race went on.

Once round Kingscliff, it was a beat back to Seaward and this split the boats.

Some headed straight out to sea, aiming for the last of the flood tide to draw them onto the buoy, while others sailed parallel to the coast, convinced the tide had turned.

From the shore, it appeared the latter sailors had done wisely.

A second run back to Kingscliff and a fetch across the line saw a very tight finish and the end to an exciting race.

Results – Potterers’ Pot: 1 Sea Ranger – Richard Walker and Henry Spooner, 2 Topper – Harry Swinbourne, 3 Comet – Peter Downer.

Meanwhile, the club held the fourth race in their Summer Series.

It took place in very changeable conditions.

As the crews rigged, the offshore wind was blowing between 15 and 25mph but by the start it had fallen away to 5mph, dropping at times to just 2mph.

It was good to see the Hobie 405’s out but they failed to make the top three places.

Results – Summer Series 4: 1 Comet – Peter Downer, 2 Laser – Ken Potts, 3 Laser – Yvonne Gough.