May Day Pennant
It was a bit frisky this morning with a strong 15-16 mph wind from the SSW with stronger gusts coming through. Mike A set a beat down to 2 and then a slalom course back down the lake using 4s, 9P, 5s, 8p, 6s, 7s and back through the start, which was not universally appreciated by the 12 bold starters.
Welcome to Julian B who was sailing his first race at RSC in his OK.
Richard S (Radial) started the capsize ball rolling by dipping in the first mark, which pushed him to the back of the fleet. Paul R (Aero 7) got a flyer and pulled out a good lead and came flying towards 6 at the end of the first lap but capsized gybing round. Unfortunately his boom stuck up in the air and he got blown into the bushes and by the time he extricated himself the whole of the fleet had come through. The leader at the end of the lap was newcomer Julian (OK), Newton & Ellen (RS200) were 2nd, just ahead of the Lasers of Jon and David C. Adrian (Laser) was 5th being chased by Ian (Supernova) and Ken (Laser). Then there was a gap back to Hugh & Hadey (Leader) who were some way ahead of the recovering Richard S and Paul R. Plugging away at the back was Rick (Radial) and unsurprisingly Franz on his flying trapeze (Contender) had decided to stay out and play rather than risk getting wrapped around the mast doing multiple gybes !
At the end of the second lap Julian was still in front but there was little change behind him apart from Ian getting past Adrian.
Coming to the end of the third lap it was Jon’s turn to capsize at 6, but he got going again quickly and only dropped two places rounding in 5th place. Ian moved up to 3rd pushing David C down to 4th and Paul and Richard had caught Hugh & Hadey to move up to 7th and 8th respectively. Ken decided to retire after rounding 7.
The same three led at the end of the fourth lap, but Jon had regained 4th place. Paul R had moved up another place to 6th. David C had crossed the line in 5th but decided to retire shortly after and Hugh and Hadey received the finish gun. Rick was still persevering and at one stage had become completely separated from his Laser which had to be captured by a rescue boat !
Julian was well ahead at the finish and Newton & Ellen looked to be a safe second but then capsized at 8, it looked as if they had saved it as they partially got the mast up but then it slowly rolled over.
Jon who had got past Ian came charging through on the inside but then collided with the RS 200 and capsized himself being ejected from his boat. He got underway again but then had difficulty rounding 6 and decided to go and inspect the buoy line and wash off his boat. Meanwhile Newton & Ellen had just managed to get going in enough time to cross the line in 2nd place ahead of Ian. Paul came through in 4th with Adrian 5th and Jon 6th.
On handicap the positions were –
1st Julian B; 2nd Newton & Ellen; 3rd Ian; 4th Paul; 5th Adrian; 6th Richard.
Congratulations to Julian on his win in his first race at RSC.
Thanks (perhaps) to Mike A and thanks to the OOD Team, Jerry, Bill, Chris H, Al and Roland L (who stepped in to help again)