13 May Gillette Series 6
With a 9 mph NE wind Chris A used a Tektona start with a first beat to X, up to 5 on the buoy line, down to 9 and then back up to 4 and onto 3 across to 2 and back through the buoy line.
Karen started on starboard at the pin end but tacked onto port in front of Mike A and consequently had to do penalty turns (is that the third race in a row that Karen has had some issues at the start ?)
There were 20 starters and Ian C (Supernova) was first back through the start followed by Karen (Laser), Mark B (Laser) and Newton (Solo). In 5th place was Sylvia (Laser) with Peter S (Byte) 6th, Hugh & Stuart (Leader) 7th and Mike C (Solo) 8th. It was good to see another Supernova out in the hands of Paul H and just behind him was Tracey in her Comet then Mike A (Lightning). The next through the line were Paula and Ellen in Radials followed by Chris S in another Laser (good to see you back on the water Chris).
It was also good to see Roz & Paul out in the Laser 2000 and they were followed by Chris & Carol (420), Mike T (Laser), Dean & Monica (Laser II) and Colum, Rob & Craig (Leader) – a real mixed fleet out on the water tonight!
At the end of the second lap Ian and Karen were still 1st and 2nd, but Curtis had moved up to 3rd with Mark in 4th. Paul H had moved up two places from 9th to 7th and Paul and Mike T had both moved up a place.
Lap 3 saw the leading seven boats holding position, but Peter S had moved up one place to 8th, Ellen had moved up four places to 14th and Mike T and Dean & Monica had gained another place. Dean was obviously getting some intensive race coaching from Monica !
At the end of the fourth lap the first 10 boats had not changed position, and the only mover was Mike C who had moved up one place to 11th.
The end of the fleet was finished after four laps but the leaders went on for one more lap.
Mike C made up another place and Tracey two places on this last lap and at the finish Ian C crossed the line in 1st place with Karen 2nd, Curtis 3rd, Mark 4th, Sylvia 5th and Newton 6th.