Clevedon SC Archives - Devoti Zero

D-Zeros at Clevedon – Morgan Sails/Zhik Southern Circuit

On July 10, 2018

Due to the clash with the England/Sweden World Cup game the usual suspects stayed away from this year’s D Zero event and the fleet was much depleted from previous years. A shame because once the sea breeze established itself conditions by midday were ideal with a steady force 2 wind, brilliant sunshine and a neap tide. None the less visitors travelled from Emsworth and Porthpean to join the local sailors from Clevedon.

OOD Andy Black set an P style course in the bay, with a beat out to the first mark set off the end of Clevedon’s grade 1 listed Pier.

Race 1 for the D Zeros saw current local sailor Robin Goff get off the line well, followed closely by David Valentine Stacy Bray and Chris Cooper with Scott Derham bringing up the rear. Bray managed to pass Valentine on the run back to shore, but was unable to catch Goff who lead to the finish to take the first bullet.

By the start of race two a sea breeze had started to develop with direction shifting round to the SW and increasing to a 3 gusting 4. The course was therefore changed to starboard triangle.

Valentine and Goff got off to a great start followed by Bray and Derham, but by the time Valentine reached the windward mark, Bray showing superior boat speed had passed Goff, and continued to catch Valentine down the reach and run to take the lead by the start of the second beat, and remained unchallenged for the rest of the race.

Race 3 saw local sailor Stuart Turner join the fleet in the HowWhatWhere Demo boat. At the start the out going tide pushed Valentine and Bray over the line early, who had to go back, leaving Turner and Goff to fight it out up the first beat. Turner got the better of Goff, but it was short lived as Bray and Valentine passed him and Goff down the run. The wind had decreased however at the start of lap 2, and local knowledge of the tide helped Goff get back in contention, who managed to pass Valentine on the final lap to take 2nd after Turner decided to retire to watch the football!!

After 3 short races competitors were able to get ashore in time to view the World Cup match in the comfort of the clubhouse with presentations awarded at half time.

Results
1st Stacey Bray (Porthpean)
2nd Robin Goff (Clevedon)
3rd David Valentine (Emsworth)
4th Scott Derham (Emsworth)

Clevedon SC D-Zero Open 2016 Report and Results

By Paul Jefferies

On June 13, 2016

In Events, Open Meetings

In search of wind at the Clevedon D-Zero Open. Photo Copyright Robin Goff

Robin Goff from the host club reports:

The Bristol channel looked like a mill pond when the 8 competitors arrived for Clevedon Sailing Club’s 2016 D Zero open race meeting. Sailors had travelled from as far away as Southampton and Northampton and were looking forward to similar challenging conditions as experienced for the 2015 meeting.

However, as it got nearer to the published start time, a gentle south westerly 5 knot breeze filled in and race officer Ian Hotchkiss set a figure of eight course in the bay. After the competitors took to the water and the preparatory signal was sounded there was a 180 degree wind shift so a running start ensued. Local sailor Robin Goff made an excellent start sailing in shore to stay out of the tide. Meanwhile, Ian Morgan and Graham Cooper found extra breeze further out in the tide and led the fleet to the first mark. Goff left his transit to the first mark too late and ended up rounding last, but using his experience of the tide managed to pull back to third by the end of the first lap. Up at the front the battle for first place between Morgan and Cooper continued with multiple place changing. Cooper eventually broke away and went on to take first place with Ian close behind him. Further back in the fleet the battle for third place started. Goff had elected to stay inshore again and once more was passed by the rest of the fleet. Toby Peacock then broke away from the pack and remained unchallenged for third place. Using his skills over the tide Goff finished fourth as the wind dropped and the rest of the fleet were forced to retire.

No other races took place due to the outgoing tide and the lack of wind. The results from race one therefore completed the open series.

Clevedon Open 2016 – Preview

By Paul Jefferies

On May 22, 2016

In Events, Open Meetings

D-Zeros Racing at Clevedon in 2015. Photo Copyright Martin Gibson

The 11th June will see the D-Zero fleet heading to Clevedon SC for the last Open Meeting prior to the 2016 Nationals at Highcliffe. This will also give the ‘pondies’ in the fleet some final (and probably much needed) salt water practice.

Tentative enquiries show that entry could be heading easily in to double figures and with local D-Zero sailor Robin Goff organising the event it should be a great day out.

The plan for the day is 3 races back to back with the first start at 10:00am. Entry fee is £10/boat.

Upcoming events May and June 2016

By Paul Jefferies

On May 11, 2016

In Events, News, Open Meetings

With the 2016 season moving on at a pace please see below the D-Zero events for May and June 2016. Early May see’s the fleet travelling to Paignton for the POSH regatta followed by event 2 of the Northern Tour at Largs SC (with bottles on single malt on offer as prizes). Then we move to Clevedon for the last bit of bumpy water practice (for the pond sailors in the class) before the 2016 Suntouched National Championships at Highcliffe SC.

7th/8th May 2015 – POSH Regatta – Paignton SC

21st/22nd May 2016 – D-Zero Open (Northern Tour) – Largs SC More details here

11th June 2016 – D-Zero Open – Clevedon SC

24th – 26th June 2016 – D-Zero National Championships – Highcliffe SC – More details here – Enter Here