North West Norfolk Week 2023 Day 2

North West Norfolk Week 2023 Day 2 © Duncan Ellis

North West Norfolk Week enjoyed (which may not be the right term!) windier conditions at Snettisham Beach SC for day two of the 2023 event, described as a 'lively affair' by Duncan Ellis.

National 12 fleet:

18-26kts breeze, plenty of choppy waves - A reduced number of N12s launched, with the strong breeze howling through the dinghy park it was no surprise!

Race 1 today was a triangle again and Steve and Jo Sallis (N3531) agin continued to show their breezy sailing dominance in the N12 fleet and promptly rounded the windward mark first. Following in their wake was Ian Gore & Zoe Ballantyne (N3525) and then George Finch & Toby Hunt (N3551).

Thankfully Steve & Jo opted to tack round at the gybe mark and the rest of the fleet followed! Graham & Anya Camm (N3530) overhauled George & Toby on the second reach, only for George & Toby to then overtake upwind (which set the theme for the rest of the race).

On the 2nd lap Steve & Jo tested the water temperature just after the windward mark, propelling Ian & Zoe into first, George & Toby into 2nd and Graham & Anya into third. It wasn’t that long until Steve & Jo had pulled back into second place though, and crossed the line behind Ian & Zoe, with Graham & Anya behind.

A slight lull in-between races was well received from those who were still out on the water and the 2nd course of the day was triangle/sausage. Again, Steve & Jo led, followed by Ian & Zoe. George & Toby maintained 3rd for nearly three laps, until an unfortunate drop of the tiller during a reach ended in a capsize. Only three boats made it to the finish, with Steve & Jo winning, Ian & Zoe in second and Graham & Anya third.

That concludes our weekend Dinghy Shack event at Snettisham Beach Sailing Club but plenty more to come as North West Norfolk Sailing Week continues !

North West Norfolk Week 2023 Day 2 - photo © Duncan Ellis

Allcomers fleet:

Day 2 at Snettisham Beach for the Allcomers Fleet was a lively affair!!

The breeze was pretty full on all afternoon with 2 races sailed. The first race saw the fleet do 3 triangles with a solid beat to give the hikers some pain sailing upwind! Then when you turned the corner it was 2 lively reaches with a gybe if you were feeling brave thrown in for good measure. Many of the fleet checked their centreboards on the way round!

Race 2 was similar to race 1 except the course was set as a triangle/sausage course. The fleet was smaller this time after a few of the sensible sailors had decided 1 race was enough! Still a very breezy affair although dropped a little midway through to help get down the run upright! The fleet were very pleased to see the shorten course flag as the breeze started to build again!

The fleet now moves on for two days of racing at Brancaster Staithe SC, racing on the evening tide on Monday and the morning tide on Tuesday. There’s rumours of a mud walk on Monday morning and many of the fleet will be looking forward to enjoying supper in the clubhouse at BSSC.

The overall results for the weekend are:

National 12
1st Steve and Joanne Sallis
2nd Ian Gore/Zoe Ballantyne
3rd Graham and Anya Camm

Allcomers
1st Richard Major (ILCA 6)
2nd Duncan Ellis (OK)
3rd Jasper Barnham/Lily Dixon (Laser 2000)

The fleet now moves on to Brancaster Staithe SC for racing on Monday evening and Tuesday morning.

Find out more at www.norfolkweek.co.uk