Cobley Series 7 22nd October
With a West wind of 15 to 17 mph and gusts of over 30, it was a day for the brave, but there were a surprising number of takers and it brought Julian B out in his OK and Dave P in his Mirror.
Pursuit Race
There were 10 starters and at the end of the first lap early starter Dave P (Mirror) was still in the lead, but being rapidly caught by Julian B (OK) with Newton (Solo) in 3rd place. At the gun the final positions were –
1st Julian – OK; 2nd Jon – Laser (Radial rig); 3rd Newton – Solo); 4th James – Laser (full rig!); 5th Nev & Sally – Leader; 6th Dave P – Mirror; 7th Chris H – Comet; 8th Dave & Ann –Leader (despite capsizing towards the end of the race); 9th Rick – Laser (Radial rig); 10th Franz – Laser (full rig)
Handicap Race
Nev and Sally decided to call it a day after surviving in the first race. Dave and Ann decided to call it a day having not survived the first race ! Jeremy decided to join the fray (he must have fancied a spot of swimming.
The wind had increased even further for the second race with white horses on occasions.
At the end of the first lap Julian came through in 1st place just ahead Jon with James in 3rd place. Newton had capsized just before the start filling his boat with water and it took most of the lap for the self bailers to clear, but despite this he came through in 4th place well ahead of Rick in 5th. Chris H and Jeremy were only just behind Rick and they were some way ahead of Dave P. Franz was forced to retire when his mast broke!
Jon and Julian were having a really good battle for the lead and Jon just led by a whisker at the end of the second lap. James was still in 3rd just over a minute ahead of Newton in 4th. Further back Rick had suffered a number of capsizes letting Chris H, Jeremy and Dave P past him and Dave P and Rick received the gun at the end of the lap.
On the last lap there were no changes in position and Jon held onto his slender lead to cross the line in 1st place.
Final positions on the water were – 1st Jon; 2nd Julian; 3rd James; 4th Newton; 5th Chris H; 6th Jeremy
On corrected time Julian took the victory with Jon in 2nd place. James had gone well in third with a full rig and would have taken third place on handicap if he had not had a number of capsizes, which allowed Newton to close the gap and leapfrog him for 3rd place. Chris H retained his 5th place, but Jeremy lost 6th place to Dave P in spite of sailing the extra lap.
There were many capsizes in the second race and poor Franz was dismasted. Rick claimed eight capsizes and gets the prize for perseverance (I think that’s the right word!), but well done to everyone who ventured out.
Thanks to SOOD Richard and his team of Mike C, Pat G, Paul H and Billy I.