Lloyd Fryer Memorial Race at Portishead Yacht & Sailing Club

Portishead Yacht and Sailing Club hosted the Lloyd Fryer Memorial Pursuit Race on Sunday 6th September. The annual event is in memory of a well-loved, long standing member, whose family and friends were very much engaged in competitive dinghy racing on the Bristol Channel and the UK circuit during the '70s and '80s. Lloyd raced at many leading UK venues, focussing on Ospreys, 505s, International 14s and Fireballs. Lloyd's life was cut short in 1993 at the age of 37. 22 year on the memorial trophy is one of PYSC's most prestigious trophies.

The fleet was greeted with an extremely light wind from the West that built just enough by lunch time to enable a half pursuit to be held before the tide turned. Officer of the Day, Steve Gill, set a course in Kilkenny Bay where the wind and current were most consistent.

Christine Jarvis in her Pico Sport led the fleet, starting first, closely followed by Christine Slater in her Europe who led for the first lap in their single-handers. The rest of the fleet were sure to start quickly thereafter, with the medium handicapped starters trying to make the most of the favourable conditions before the faster dinghies took to the course. Leading this charge were the RS Vareo of Daniel Van Luttmer, Steve Hunt in his Phantom and Steve Pascoe in his Contender just ahead of an eager Fireball fleet.

Anthony & James Willcocks gained the first advantage leading the Fireballs at the first mark and who progressed quickly down the bay through the fleet ahead to the leeward mark at Battery Point. Here the fleet jostled for position and it was Chris and Jon Gill who gained the inside edge to round the leeward mark ahead of the pack.

The Fireball of Colin and Derek Jarvis quickly pulled through on the upwind leg but it was the two Fireballs of the Willcocks's and Gill's which lead the battle of the 'Brothers' as they led the charge for the remaining two leading slower boats. Places changed until the end of the pursuit where the Gill brothers gybed inshore downwind, leaving the Willcocks's sailing offshore to gain more tide, the Jarvis brothers also headed offshore seeking a little more wind but it was not enough to gain an advantage over the leading two Fireballs. Chris & Jon Gill found a little more pace inshore passing Christine Slater's Europe and swapping places with the Willcocks's again leaving a tight finish for the first 6 boats.

Many thanks to the race committee for their management and safety provision on the day and to all the competitors whose entry and donations will contribute to the club's defibrillator fund. Joan Herbert the club's longest serving Honorary Member presented the prizes as follows;

Overall Results:

1st Chris & Jon Gill – Fireball
2nd Anthony & James Willcocks - Fireball
3rd Colin & Derek Jarvis – Fireball
4th Christine Slater – Europe
5th Steve Hunt - Phantom