Autumn Series A
Race 1
28th August 2016
In very gusty conditions 14 boats went afloat for the first race of the Autumn Series, it was a mixture of Lasers, Laser 4.7's, Laser Radials, a Laser 2000 and a 29er.

In the lead up to the start of the race there had been three capsizes already.  At the start of the race the Laser 2000 had an escort of five Lasers on the way up the first mark SP1, on rounding SP1, two Lasers went past the Laser 2000. However, this was not for long with blue kite aflying caught up with the two lead boats.

In some quite vicious gusts there have been a number of capsizes amongst the Lasers. The 29er is clearly revelling in these conditions and is making its way up through the fleet, there have been a few problems with the Red Spinnaker, whilst the other boats favour a course further out, the 29er is sailing further in and parallel to the shore before tacking out to SP1.

The fleet are quite well spread out and there have been more capsizes and a series of retirements from the race.  The 29er on sailing up to SP2 (the gybe mark) where there are a number of capsized boats, it is here that the 29er capsized also, the 29er once again has had few problems with the spinnaker which is not surprising in these conditions.

Out of the fourteen boats who started this race, there were only four finishers.
1st 29er 1026 Michael Dyer and Samuel Dyer
2nd Laser 130727 Tony Herhily
3rd Laser Radial 172009 James Woodward
4th Laser Radial 182262 Jonathan Dunn

Autumn Series A
Race 2
28th August 2016
As Race One came to a close the starting sequence for the second race began, there were three boats milling around for the start of this Race, one 29er and two Lasers.
The 29er got a cracking start and was flying down the first leg, rounded SP1 and on i's way up to SP2, when the two Lasers crossed the start line, having successfully rounded SP2 and on its way to SP3 the 29er is flying down this leg.  Stop Press, the Lasers have retired from the Race and returned to shore, this however, does not deter the two Dyer Boys, who carry on sailing the race, with a few capsizes during this race.
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1st 29er 1026 Michael Dyer and Samuel Dyer.

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James Bennett has posted his footage taken from the 59er during the Paul Smith pursuit race during the Memorial Weekend here.

It's time to put a date in your diary for the Herne Bay Sailing Club's annual dinner dance. It's booked at the Walpole Hotel, Margate on the evening of the 26th November. Tickets are priced at £35 per person. A coach ticket from Herne Bay costs £9 return. 

All are welcome. The dinner is followed by presentation of some of the major club trophies then it's time to head downstairs in the Walpole's elegant lift to dance the night away to the live band, or if you prefer to relax in the bar.   

Details to follow as to how to reserve your tickets.  

Twelve dinghies and three safety boats headed out to somewhere beyond the pier on Saturday the 13th August to watch the Thames Barges and other classic yachts round the jibe mark before their long beat back to the Swale. Bill Phillips took some photographs from the shore of HBSC keeping out of the way of the bigger boats. Joanne Whiteoak and Ian Moore have posted several more photographs of the boats close up on Facebook.  

Be ready and rigged for launching at 10am on Saturday 13th August if you are joining us to watch the barges rounding the Herne Bay pier. 

Day 2 was rather more exciting, both for the sailors and safety teams. The shore crew also had a lot of fun during their down time. 

A calm day on the water on day 1 of the Hornet Europeans.