3rd September Gillette Series Race 20
This was the final race of the Gillette Series and Ian C had already got the series in the bag. There was a light East wind which forced Mike A to set a Tektona start line coming down towards the clubhouse to X on the first beat.
25 boats started including the Toppers of Edward, Joe and Grace, our future champions !
Ian came through in 1st place followed by Newton (Laser), Steve P (505) and Curtis (Laser).
David C and Karen both in Lasers came next in very close company, then there was a slight gap to the Lasers of Dave I and Dave L. The next three boats were double handers led by Nev & Mike (Leader) then Angela & Paula (Comet Duo) followed by Sally & Stuart in another Leader with Bob L, who is often in his Leader but on this occasion was in a Laser chased by another Leader crewed by Tracey & Carol. (talk about follow my leader !). There was another gap until Mike T (Laser) crossed the line, closely followed by Paul H (Supernova), Sylvia (Radial), Hugh & Hadey (Sport 14) and Alistair J (Laser). Quite a bit further back came Dean (Laser) and Monica in her Europe, who is usually much further up the fleet until the last lap when she often retires to give everyone else a chance ! Towards the back Jess (Radial) was battling with Nick J (Laser), followed by the three intrepid Toppers.
By the end of the second lap Steve P had forged to the front pushing Ian down to 2nd and Newton to 3rd. Karen had squeezed past David C and Dave L had got past Dave I. The boats in the middle of the fleet were holding station, but Mike T had moved up two places from 14th to 12th and Hugh and Hadey had got past Sylvia.
Only one more lap as the wind was dropping fast and the first three across the line were the same as the previous lap. Karen had moved up one more place pushing Curtis down to 5th.
David C deliberately sailed round the outer pin to retire, moving Daves L and I, Nev & Mike and Angela & Paula up a place.
The final positions on the water were 1st Steve P, 2nd Ian C, 3rd Newton, however it is likely that Steve in his galleon will be pushed down the order on handicap with Ian taking the final race and the series.