16 July Gillette Series 12
As Dave L, SOOD, put on the race sheet it was warm, windy and weedy !
Probably about a 9-10 mph westerly with a beat up to No 5 for the first leg. Curtis got a cracking start and led at the end of the first lap with Karen 2nd, Dave C 3rd and Newton 4th, all in Lasers, with Monica in her Europe 5th and Steve S, Solo, 6th.
At the end of the second lap, the first five were in the same order but Simon B had edged in front of Steve S. Behind these there was a really tight battle led by Sally & Stuart, Leader, but very closely followed by Andrew B, Laser; Paul R, Europe and Steve & Lynne in the 505.
By the end of the third lap Karen and Dave C had managed to get past Curtis with Newton in a safe 4th place. Monica had retired, which was a pity as she had been in a steady 5th place and probably beating boats ahead of her on handicap. There was still less than one minute between 5th place Andy B and 10th place Sally & Stuart and there was a good scrap behind this group between Chris A, Solo; Mike T, Laser and Mike A, Lightning.
Julian, Solo, who had been going really well in recent weeks, was part of this battle until he went for a swim halfway through the lap. Apparently he had a problem with his rudder and then his toe strap broke. Not sure if he went in the water as a result of the breakage or he just tossed himself over the side in despair!
Dean, Laser, was ploughing a lonely furrow with Paul H, Supernova; Phil M, Solo and Angela & Paula, Comet Duo, battling behind him. Further back were three men in a boat (another Leader) manned by Rob, Craig & Calm. These were followed by Chris S in his newly acquired Laser (good to see you back on the water Chris) who was having his own battle with Nick J, Laser and Tracey T in her Comet ET.
At the end of the fifth and final lap, the first four were the same, but Steve and Lynne had moved up to 5th pushing Andy down to 6th with Simon B moving up to 7th.
The final placings on the water were 1st Karen, 2nd Dave C, 3rd Curtis and these should remain unchanged on handicap. Curtis seems to have moved up a gear and is now playing with the big boys and girls at the front of the fleet (big as in performance not big as in build!)
However it is likely that Steve S and Sally & Stuart will leapfrog the three boats ahead of them on the water, when the handicaps are applied.