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[Chris]

A commited fleet of 12 boats turned out at Gt. Yarmouth & Gorleston SC for the 4th round of the East Coast Series.  Despite some heavy surf in the launch area and BIG confused seas the fleet headed out for the first race.  Conditions can only be described as fresh to frightening with a strong north easter against an ebbing tide.  Simon Fielden & Chris Sallis had the best of the first beat with Rod Thorpe, Darren Pike & James Jarvey (at his first meeting) chasing.  Serious surfing was the order of the day on the down wind legs.  Simon was first through the jibe with Chris rolling it in.  The chasing pack negotiated the jibe and set-off on a wild & scary reach to the leeward mark.  Simon had the hammer down and started to pull away into a good lead meanwhile Daren, Rod, James and Chris battled it out.  The conditions were starting to decimate the rest off the fleet with only Tim Travis hanging on.  Starting the last lap Fielden lead with Sallis & Pike srapping over second, Pike tripped in rounding the top mark and Sallis scurried off downwind. Simon went for his last jibe in a monster wave set and was flipped in giving Sallis the chance he needed.  Rod Thorpe had kept it dry all the way round and came through to take second with the recovering Pike 3rd.  All in all a day to be remembered for many years to come with everyone enjoying the experience and only some minor damage. 
Results:
1st Chris Sallis
2nd Rod Thorpe
3rd Daren Pike
4th James Jarvey
5th Tim Travis