Event #6 of the RS400 Gul Grand Prix saw the 400’s visit Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club on the 17th & 18th July.

The forecast was for a breezy event, which seemed to deter some of the boat heading off to Garda the following week.  12 boats did however compete in this fantastic event.

The 400’s were made to feel very welcome at Felixstowe. After some negotiation out of the river mouth on a flooding tide, through the channel, dodging sandbanks, the race started without any hesitation in a breezy, and choppy sea. Out the blocks early was 1351 (Ian Robson and Sandy Johnson), 1051 (Andy Narn and Alex Park) and 615 (Willcox and Willcox) all making a bee line for the left of the course to get into the stronger tide. This was the order round the first mark. The front boats pulled away, but an unfortunate capsize on the last run put Andy and Alex back into fifth giving Graeme and Tiff second and Fulford and Fulford third. The next two races were sailed in a building breeze, with gust approaching 30 knots at times and large wind shifts off the shore allowing gains to be made or lost on the windward/ leeward course. 

Although the large shifts gave the mark layers headaches at times, the races were run smartly and credit to the race officer and his team for this.

The sailors enjoyed a lovely dinner and many stayed around the table discussing the days sailing as well as many other interesting topics, such as gardening. Roger Lewis hosted a pub quiz to round off the evening’s entertainment.

Sunday dawned and the wind had died down and the sun was out. A hearty breakfast was supplied by the FFSC catering staff and enjoyed by the fleet in preparation for the hard days sailing which lay ahead.

During the course of the morning the wind had increased and with a flooding tide, the majority of the racing was held in slightly less choppy conditions than the previous day. Although with a more onshore wind, there was a little more ground swell to contend with. 

The first race got under way and beating into the tide meant staying out of the deeper water. Ian and Sandy again show the way with Graeme & Tiff and Andy & Alex chasing hard followed by 779 James Bottoms and Anne Hulbert. A poor drop by Graeme & Tiff left the door open for Andy & Alex and this is how the race finished. With the tide slaing off the sea started to get choppier. This gave the fleet the opportunity for some great downwind surfing and some unfortunate swims on the gybes. The second race of the day Ian & Sandy were getting into their stride and lead from the beginning, with the rest of the fleet chasing hard, with Fiona & Ian Lewis getting into the groove and getting themselves a 3^rd followed by Bob & Maria Peak. The final race of the day was held with seven of the fleet still left out on the course. The final race was won by Graeme & Tiff followed by Andy and Alex and Simon Scammel and Matt Read finishing off with a third.

A big thank you to Felixstowe Ferry Sailing club for the hard work put into the event, a professionally run regatta coupled with great weather meant this was a great event.