2nd August Summer Series 8
Well it was a lot pleasanter than pouring rain of last week with a bit of sun and a SE 8-10 mph wind.
Because of the wind direction James P set the start out at No 5 with the first mark as 1, then 4, 2, 3, 9 and back round 5.
There were 24 starters for the Pursuit Race and David C (Laser) was first back through the start line followed by the Lasers of Karen, Richard S, Dave L, Jon, Mark B and at last a boat other than a Laser the Supernova of Ian C. There were only two Solos out this morning and Newton came through in 10th with Chris A 13th. No Leaders at all today so Sally was out in her Comet in 15th place. Towards the back of the fleet the last starter Adrian (Vago) was just catching William in his Topper and Gordon and Pat were having their own battle in the Mirrors. Paul R (Aero) decided to call it a day after one lap because of persistent problems with weed.
The wind held up round most of the course but Marks 1 and 2 were a bit of a problem as the wind died when you got about 5 yards from the marks. At the finish gun David was still leading but remarkably there were no changes in position right down the fleet !
Final positions were 1st, David; 2nd Karen; 3rd Richard S; 4th Dave L; 5th Jon; 6th Mark
Gordon and Pat decided not to contest the Handicap Race, but Mike C started in Paul H’s Laser having tried Paul’s Supernova previously. Ralph & his lad (Feva) also decided to join the fray.
David C was again 1st through the line at the end of the first lap, but this time was followed by Ian in 2nd place and then the Lasers of Dave L, Richard S, Karen and Mark, with Newton 7th in his Solo. Then there were another gaggle of Lasers in 8th to 12th places with Alistair S (fresh back from a sailing holiday) going well in the middle of this group in 10th place. Behind these Adrian was battling with Steve P (Laser) and Chris A was battling with Paul W (Radial) and David M (Laser). Sally was just ahead of Mike C who was trying to get to grips with a slow Laser (at the end of the race he discovered that there was no bung in the transom ! – no wonder he thought Lasers were slow boats). Bringing up the rear of the fleet was the ever persistent William.
After two laps Dave L had taken the lead with Ian still 2nd and Karen 3rd. Newton had gained one place and the other movers were Curtis, Paul W and Steve P up two places, Chris A and Mike C up three places. Sally and William were given the finish gun at the end of this lap.
At the end of the third and last lap Dave L was first across the finish line with Ian and Karen behind him. David C and Newton both gained a place to move up to 4th and 5th respectively. There was a close battle for 7th place with the Lasers of Rod, Mark, Curtis and Mike A approaching the last mark line abreast. Curtis managed to get the inside line on the buoy but just touched rounding and had to do penalty turns and Rod managed to draw ahead to take the 7th spot. There were no other movers (in the right direction), so the final positions on the water were –
1st Dave L; 2nd Ian; 3rd Karen; 4th David C; 5th Newton; 6th Richard S.
On handicap Dave should keep his victory but Newton will move up to 2nd pushing Ian down to 3rd.
Thanks to James P and the OOD Team of Brian and Richard M and Robbie H