12th July Gillette Series Race 13
Another pleasant sunny evening with a tricky ENE wind about 7- 8 mph, so Mike A used a CB start (level with Tektona but more in the middle of the lake) with a first beat to O (in the middle of the lake about level with No 8), then 5p, 2s, 4s and back through the start.
There were 20 starters and Karen (Laser) was first back through the line with Newton (Solo) in 2nd place, then the Lasers of Hugh, Mark, Ellen, Alistair S and Richard H occupying the next five places.
After a little gap Mike T in another Laser came through in 8th place closely followed by William (Radial), Chris S (Laser), Rick (Laser), Dean & Nick (Vago) and Paul H (Supernova) and this group was enjoying a close contest. Then 20 seconds later Jamie H (Laser) and Sally & Stuart crossed the line virtually abreast with Jeremy T (Laser) slightly further back. Ed in the first of the Toppers was next through the line some way ahead of Rhys in the second Topper and Carol M in a Radial. Julian W (Solo) who started did not make the first lap, so presumably retired, but reason unknown.
The same two leaders at the end of the second lap, but Ellen had moved up to 3rd with Hugh now 4th and Mark 5th. Alistair S and Richard H were still 6th and 7th, but Rick had gained three places to move to 8th and Paul H had moved up four places to 9th. Chris S was steady in 10th place and Jamie and Sally & Stuart had gained a place to move to 13th and 14th. In the Topper battle Ed had stretched his lead on Rhys, who had also been caught and passed by Carol.
Third lap and no change in the top five boats, but Richard H had got past Alistair to move up to 6th.
William and Jamie had both gained three places to move to 8th and 10th respectively and there were no other movers in the right direction!
Rhys and Carol received the finis gun at the end of this lap.
At the end of the last lap Karen crossed the line well ahead of Ellen, who had moved up to 2nd place pushing Newton down to 3rd. Mark and Richard H had both managed to get past Hugh to move up to 4th and 5th. Alistair S was still 7th and some way ahead of Mike T who had gained three places to move up to 8th and the only other movers were Sally & Stuart who gained three places to move up to 11th. The midfield fleet from 8th to 15th were changing places every lap and no single boat actually held 8th place for more than one lap!
The final order on the water was – 1st Karen; 2nd Ellen; 3rd Newton; 4th Mark; 5th Richard H; 6th Hugh.
On Handicap the only change in the top six finishers will be Newton leapfrogging Ellen, but Ed may pip the lot of them.
Thanks to Mike A and the OOD Team of Paula S and Mike C.