19th July Gillette Series Race 14

The SW wind got quite frisky before the race but dropped down to about 14 mph at the start and continued to drop throughout the race. David C (fresh from the Triathlon circuits, if fresh is the right descriptor for someone doing triathlons!) set the first beat to 4 then 2, 9, X (which was in the middle of the lake just further up from Tektona), 5, 8, 6, 7 and back through the start.
 
There were 23 starters and first back through the start was Mark (Laser) followed by Curtis (Radial) and Richard H (Laser). Then there was a slight gap back to Ellen (Laser) who was just ahead of the two Solos of Newton and Steve S and then another gap back to Joe (4.7). Some 30 seconds later Dean & Nick (Vago) crossed the line in 8th place just ahead of Rick (Laser), William (Radial) and Nev & Mike (Leader). Next along were Mike A (Lightning), Dave & Ann (Leader) and Paul H (Supernova) who all crossed the line together. Chasing these was Alistair S (Laser) who was followed by another close group consisting of Jeremy (Laser), Sally & Suzi (Leader) and Ed (Topper). Then a minute and a half behind Ed came Paula & Angela (Comet Duo) who were comfortably clear of a Mirror battle between Ron V and Dave P. Then two more minutes back there was another great tussle between the Oppies of Jemima and Rhys.
 
At the end of the second lap there was no change in the order of the first six boats, but William had gained three places to move up to 7th place with Joe slipping down to 8th. Paul H gained two places to move up to 12th position and Sally & Suzi moved up three places to 14th with Jeremy gaining one place to move up to 15th. Further back Paula & Angela gained two places up to 19th and Rhys had passed Jemima in the Oppie battle.
Rhys and Jemima received the finish gun at the end of this lap.
 
At the end of the final lap Mark had increases his lead at the front and Richard H had got past Curtis to take 2nd place on the water, but that was the only change in the top seven boats. Mike A gained five places to move up to 8th and Nev & Mike and Paul H gained one place to move up to 10th and 11th. Jeremy and Paula & Angela gained two places to 13th and 15th respectively and Dave P took the honours in the Mirror battle finishing just ahead of Ron.
 
The final positions on the water were –
1st; Mark; 2nd Richard H; 3rd Curtis; 4th Ellen; 5th Newton; 6th Steve S
 
On handicap the position becomes less clear as there is some talk of splitting the Juniors’ results away from the Seniors so that they have their own series within the Summer Series, as last year.
 
In a combined fleet Mark should hold onto 1st place, but Rhys should be 2nd with Curtis 3rd, Richard H 4th, Jemima 5th and Newton 6th
 
In a Seniors only fleet the positions should be –
1st Mark; 2nd Curtis; 3rd Richard H; 4th Newton; 5th Steve S; 6th William (if William is now a Senior not a Junior !) or Ellen
 
In a Juniors only fleet the positions would be –
1st Rhys; 2nd Jemima; 3rd William (if he is still a Junior); 4th Joe; 5th Ed
 
Thanks to David C and the OOD Team of Hugh, Bob, Cliff, Lynne and Julian W.