12th July Summer Series 5
Another windy Sunday morning with a SW wind about 13 mph but stronger gusts coming through (usually just when you did not want them !)
Richard S set a long beat down to a gybe round 3, back to 2 and a gybe up to 4, another gybe round 4 then off on a run to 8 with yes another gybe round 8 ! Up to 6 and the usual gybe round 6 and finally round 7 (only sheeting in !) before going back through the start line.
Steve P and Andy Burr (welcome back Andy) seemed to be doing a major refit to the 505 on its side on the bank and David M seemed to have acquired a new sail. Karen and Sylvia opted for Radial rigs but sailed off the full handicap (probably a wise choice – the Radials for them and the full handicap for everyone else). Mike C had chosen a nice calm morning to try an outing in Paul H’s Supernova ! Adrian went for his Vago, when any wise man would have gone for his Laser (without the Rooster sail).
There were 20 starters for the Pursuit Race and Chris A (Solo) was first back through the start line. This makes a change from William in his Topper but the stronger winds enabled some of the other boats to catch him earlier. The high wind maestro Jon (Laser) came through in 2nd with son David C (Laser) in 3rd and John W (Laser) in 4th. James P (Laser) was going well in 5th and had just caught and passed Hugh in his Byte. Further down the fleet it was good to see yet another new entry into the series with Chris M in his Laser. Karen disappeared somewhere on this lap but not sure what happened to her.
At the finish gun Jon had moved into 1st with David 2nd and Dave L (Laser) 3rd, Ian C (Supernova) 4th, James P 5th and John W 6th. There were only two double handers out this morning and Ellen & Newton (RS200) finished 7th and Mike & Sally (Leader) were 11th.
There were 18 starters for the following Handicap Race, it may have been 19, but not sure if Hugh retired before the start or shortly afterwards. Mike & Sally had decided one race was enough, but Sally joined the rescue boat teams. Steve & Andy decided to join the race eventually but not before making a thorough recce of the rowing strip and giving everyone else a lap start. Mike A (Laser) capsized just before the 5 minute gun but did make the start (after a fashion).
Newton & Ellen came back through the start line in 1st place with Ian C 2nd, then the Laser train led by Jon followed by Karen, David C, James P, Dave L, Sylvia, John W, Mike A and Curtis, then finally another boat – the Solo of Chris A. Then there was Chris M in yet another Laser, but a bit of variety behind him with Peter S (Byte), Mike C (Supernova), Adrian (Vago) and nearly a lap later Steve & Andy in the coxless pairs. William decide to retire before the end of the lap.
By the second lap Ian had just taken the lead from Newton & Ellen. The other movers on this lap were Dave L up two places to 5th, and Mike A, Chris A, Chris M, Peter S, Mike C and Adrian all up one place. John W got caught by a gust on the way down to 2 and capsized, later to retire. Mike C, Adrian and Steve & Andy received the finish gun at the end of this lap.
At the finish the first three boats had maintained their positions, but Dave L had moved up another place to 4th. Chris A moved up one place to 9th, Curtis moved up two places to 10th and Peter S moved up a place to 12th. Mike A rounded 6 and then capsized gybing on the way to 7.
The final positions on the water were 1st Ian; 2nd, Newton & Ellen; 3rd Jon; 4th Dave L; 5th Karen; 6th David C.
Thanks to Richard S and the OOD Team of Jessica W, Ian S, Dean, John W and Sally.