Spring Series 9 – 15th May 2016

The forecast was for a NW about 7 mph, but in reality the wind kept veering and then picking up and then dropping again. This made Rod’s job of setting a start line and a course quite tricky. In the end he settled for a normal flagpole start but brought the pin down to just above 7 with a first beat to X on the buoy line then 8s,5p,9s, 4s, 6s, 7s.  
Welcome to Josephine and Chris K who were joining us for their first races at RSC and welcome back to Andy B who teamed up with Steve P in the galleon (505).
 
Pursuit Race
There were 25 starters for the Pursuit Race and in the absence of any Oppies or Toppers, Josephine led off the line in a Pico followed by John C (Topaz), Chris H (Comet) and Hadey (4.7).However although the wind was fickle there was enough of it around to allow the later starting fast boats to come through and Julian B (OK) led at the end of the first lap followed by Karen (Laser) and Ian (Supernova). Chris H was still hanging on to 4th, but being caught by Richard S and David C in their Lasers.
At the finish gun the first three, Julian, Karen and Ian were in the same positions, but David C had moved up to 4th with Richard 5th and Ellen & Newton (RS200) 6th.  
 
Handicap Race
Dave I (Radial), Julian W (Solo) and John C decided to sit this one out so the field was down to 22 for the second race of the day.
 
At the end of the first lap Ian led from Julian B followed by Richard S, Newton & Ellen, Karen and Hugh (Laser). Adrian (Rooster) was just ahead of David C and Dave L (Laser) who had the 505 breathing down his neck. Towards the back of the fleet there were the six boats of Mike A (Lightning), Rick (Laser),Dean & Nick (Vago), Hadey (4.7), Chris A (Solo), Alistair S (Laser) battling away. This lot enjoyed themselves for the three laps of the race constantly swapping places, but never looking like catching any of the fleet ahead of them ! Stuck between the two fleets was Chris K (Radial) in a lonely 14th place and bringing up the rear were Gareth (Radial) and Josephine (Pico).
 
Julian B retired on the second lap, but not sure of the reason, unless he was finding it too easy !
Mark B who was out solo in his Enterprise also retired after the first lap (too many ropes for too few hands).
Ian still led but Richard moved up to 2nd with Julian’s retirement. David C had moved up three places to 4th,  Steve P & Andy B were up two places to 7th and James (Laser) was up three places to 9th.
In the second fleet it was difficult to know who was doing what, although Chris A seemed to be coming further forwards.
 
At the gun Ian had established a clear lead to cross the line in 1st place, but Newton & Ellen had just squeezed past Richard S to take 2nd from him. The other movers on the last lap were Adrian (Rooster) and Steve P & Andy B (505) up one place to 5th and 6th respectively, James was up another place to 8th and Chris A up two places to 12th.
 
The final positions on the water were –
1st Ian; 2nd Newton & Ellen; 3rd Richard S; 4th David C; 5th Adrian; 6th Steve P & Andy B.
 
On handicap the first two should remain the same, but Richard could just loose 3rd position to Chris H (Comet)
 
Thanks to Rod and the OOD Team of Rachel, John W, John H and Simon.