25th June Summer Series 5
In contrast to last Sunday there was plenty of wind this Sunday. It was blowing about 13 – 15 mph from WSW with a few stronger squalls coming through. Mike A set the first beat down to 4 than 2p, 5s, 8p, 6s, 7s and back though the start.
Pursuit Race
There were 18 starters and the fresh wind had brought Julian B out to play! At the end of the first lap Dave P in his Mirror was still leading the fleet with Curtis (Radial) in 2nd place, but being rapidly caught by Julian B (OK) and Paul R (Aero). Then along came the first full rig Laser of James P who had just passed Hadey (sailing a 4.7 rig but taking a Radial handicap start).
The finish gun went as the leading boats were nearing No 4 on the second lap and Paul R had got through to take the victory with Julian B in 2nd place, Curtis 3rd, Adrian up to 4th, Gareth (Laser) 5th and Karen (Laser) 6th.
Handicap Race
Despite the freshening condition everyone opted to go in the second race and Paul R was first back though the line, but not far ahead of Newton & Ellen (RS200) with Julian B about a minute back in 3rd place. James was fourth across the line and then Hugh (Laser) led through a pack of boats who were all very close together consisting of Curtis(Radial), Karen (Laser), Adrian (Rooster), Richard S (Laser), Gareth (Laser) and Jon (Laser). There was then a slight gap before Hadey came through ahead of Rick (Laser), Dave & Ann (Leader) Dean & Nick (Vago) and Chris A (Solo). Then about a minute further back came Chris H in his Comet and Dave P in the Mirror.
There was no change in the leading five boats on the second lap, although Paul had increased his lead and Julian B had caught, but not passed Newton & Ellen, and they had a terrific scrap for the rest of the race for the 2nd spot. Adrian had gained two places to move to 6th and Jon was up four places to 7th and behind him the other Lasers were in a close battle for the 8th place. Further back Rick had got past Hadey to move to 12th, but the boats behind them had not changed position.
At the end of the third lap the first three remained the same, but Adrian had gained another two places to move up to 4th. Hugh who was lying in 5th place unfortunately capsized on the way to No 6, which allowed all the boats behind him to move up one place. Jon, Richard S and Gareth also gained another place by passing Curtis, so this was a bad lap for the Wargrave Nursery team ! Hadey regained 12th place by passing Rick, who was also passed by Dean & Nick and Dave & Ann (who had changed places in the Vago’s favour).
Are you a keen gardener Rick?
Chris H and Dave P who had been gamely battling on at the rear of the fleet received the finish gun at the end of the lap.
The finish gun at the end of the fourth lap saw Paul R cross the line over four minutes ahead of Julian B who had managed to snatch 2nd place from Newton & Ellen. Jon gained another two places to take 5th place. The only other mover in the right direction was Chris A who just managed to get past Rick (he must be a gardener).
The final positions on the water were –
1st Paul R; 2nd Julian B; 3rd Newton &Ellen; 4th Adrian; 5th Jon; 6th James.
On handicap Paul will retain first place, but Julian should leapfrog Newton & Ellen to take second.
Jon and James should move up to fourth and fifth with Curtis taking 6th place.
Thanks to Mike A and the OOD Team of Alistair J and Andrew M and especially Roland L, Alistair S and Jeremy T who although not on the rota stepped in to help.