29 July Gillette Series Race 17

With the wind veering around and anything from 5 mph to 10 mph, Paul R decided to set an unusual start line using the pin and a rescue boat as a Committee Boat. The first mark was X which was moved from the buoy line to somewhere NW of No 8 just before the start. The next mark was 8, then up to 5, back down to 9 and then up to an Orange buoy positioned between 3 and 4 and then there was a long (boring) run back to 7 and the start line.
There were 23 starters including brave Jemima in her Oppie and the three Toppers of Edward, Joe and William (good to see the young sailors joining in the racing).
At the start a number of boats set off for the buoy line not realising the first mark had been moved !
 
David C (Laser) was first back through the line followed by the Lasers of Jon and Sylvia, then Ian C (Supernova) and the Lasers of Karen, Dave L and James P. Chris A came through next just in front of Newton, both in Solos with Sally & Stuart (Leader) slightly further back. Jemima decided to retire on this lap, but well done to her for turning out.
By the second lap Ian had moved into the lead and Karen had moved up to 2nd, Newton had moved up two places to 7th. Paul H (Supernova) had got past Sally & Stuart, but Steve S (Laser) had passed both of them.  Luke (Radial) was trying to catch Sally & Stuart with Chris S (Laser) and Julian (Solo) trying to catch Luke. Behind them Neville & Anne L (good to see Anne out on the water) in the Leader were having a good battle with Mike A (Lightning).  David M (Radial) was plugging along behind them and Angela (Comet Duo) was trying to stay ahead of the Topper fleet.
Angela and the Toppers (sounds like a 70s pop group) received the gun at the end of this lap. In the Topper battle Joe just beat Edward with William in 3rd place.
Ian crossed the finish line in 1st but David and Sylvia (just) managed to get ahead of Karen. The final positions on the water were 1st Ian; 2nd David C; 3rd Sylvia; 4th Karen; 5th Dave L; 6th Newton, but on handicap Newton should take the win with David C taking 2nd pushing Ian down to 3rd.
 
Thanks to Paul and the OOD Team Mike C, Ellen, Sophie and Clare.