Lex Cup Bank Holiday Monday August 2016

The only member of the OOD Team to turn up was Steve P, but Paul R stepped up as SOOD and was ably assisted by James P. It was a light tricky wind which kept changing direction and strength. In the end Paul moved No 5 down towards 6 and made that the first mark, so the course was 5p, 8s, 4p, 2p, 9p, Xp.
Steve S (Solo) was first back through the line followed by Monica (Europe), Peter R (Enterprise), Ralph (Laser), Mike A (Lightning) and Franz (Laser). Adrian was next through sailing his Vago single handed again (he does like a challenge!) and close behind him was Phil M (Solo) and Rick and Alistair in Lasers. Nick T was giving his Finn an airing, the first time for a while, and at the back of the fleet William and Rhys were having their own battle in Toppers.
On the second lap there was no change in position for any of the boats in the fleet, but on the third lap the first four boats had pulled clear of the rest and Peter R had come through to the lead. Further back Phil had gained two places and Rick one place. 
In the Topper battle William had led for the first two laps, but on the third (and last lap for them) Rhys managed to cross the line ahead. Nick T retired on this lap.
At the finish gun Steve had regained the lead with Ralph coming up to 2nd place, but it was a very close finish between the leading four boats. The back half of the fleet came to a complete halt between 4 and 2 for about 5 minutes before a light breeze got up and they managed to move again. Adrian got his spinnaker up and regained the two places he had lost the lap before  and Alistair managed to get past Rick.
The final positions on the water were –
1st Steve S; 2nd Ralph; 3rd Peter R; 4th Monica; 5th Mike A; 6th Franz.
 
On handicap Steve will retain the victory and the LEX Cup, but Monica should move up to 2nd with Peter R 3rd, Mike A 4th, Ralph 5th and Phil M 6th.
 
Thanks to Paul R, James P and Steve P for ensuring the cup race actually took place.
 
1 2