08 July Gillette Series 14
It was a brisk NW wind this evening about 14 – 15 mph, but quite gusty. Steve S set the first beat up to 5, back down to 9, up to 4 and on to 3, a gybe round 3 down to 2 and then a great reach right to 6 with the usual 6, 7 and back through the start.
There were only 12 starters tonight, perhaps some had been deterred by the gusty conditions.
The first lap was a bit of a learning curve as the helms tried to adjust to the conditions. Curtis (Laser) came to grief gybing round 3 and Mike T (Laser) impaled his mast in the mud. Ian C (Supernova) was in the lead coming back towards the clubhouse, but he misjudged the gybe round 6 and capsized letting both Karen and David C (Lasers) through. Ian recovered in time to stay ahead of Newton (Solo) who came through in 4th place. Mike A (Radial) was next in 5th place closely pursued by Peter S (Byte) and Curtis who had managed to get going again. Sally & Stuart were next in a reefed Leader ahead of Paul H in another Supernova who was followed by Dean & Nick (Vago) who were just in front of Laser 148201 (sorry no name entered on the signing-in sheet). Mike T was still trying to extricate his mast !
At the end of the second lap David had taken the lead from Karen with Ian 3rd and Newton still 4th. The only other mover in the fleet was Laser 148201 who had moved up two places to 8th and Mike T was still battling with the mud.
On the third lap Mike A capsized on the reach from 2 to 6, but managed to get going before Peter could overtake him and Dean & Nick decided to retire. Mike T had now managed to free his mast and was sailing again but decided to retire. David was still in 1st place at the end of the lap but Ian had nipped past Karen into 2nd, but there were no other changes in position. Sally & Stuart and Paul H received the finish gun at the end of this lap.
The fourth and last lap saw Ian cross the line in 1st with David 2nd, Karen 3rd, Newton 4th, Mike A 5th and Peter S 6th. On handicap David should take the victory with Newton moving up to 2nd and Karen 3rd.
Thanks to Steve S and the OOD Team, Mike C, John M, Ian M, Julian, Hugh and Ellen.