26th November Cobley Series 11
With a West wind of about 11 mph Mike A set a short beat to 5 then 9, 4, 8, 6, 7, and back through the start.
Pursuit Race
There were 15 starters today and at the end of the first lap early starter Dave P (Mirror) was still leading followed by the other early starters of Nev (Comet), Rhys (Topper) and Newton (Solo), but they were being caught by the chasing Lasers of Jon, Karen and James who had already passed William (Radial) and Julian (Solo). The final order was pretty well established by the end of the second lap and at the gun the finishing order was –
1st Jon; 2nd Karen; 3rd James; 4th Dave L; 5th Nev; 6th William
Rick capsized at some stage, but managed to get going again without losing too many places. Newton and Ellen retired for rounding No 4 in the wrong direction. This was the fault of Mike A as he originally posted 4 to Port and subsequently changed this to Starboard. He thought that everyone knew about this course change when obviously they did not! He should have hoisted the C Flag to indicate the change of course before the race started.
He apologised to Newton and Ellen, but this was scant consolation.
In between the two races Ellen managed to get herself tangled in the bushes (not her day!). Thanks to Nick J who jumped into the second safety boat to affect a rescue as the other safety boat was busy acting as the committee boat logging the finishing positions.
Handicap Race
At the end of the first lap Ellen was in the lead (at last something going right for her) closely followed by Jon, Karen, Dave L, James and Franz, all in Lasers. Newton (Solo) came through in 7th place with Rick (Laser) next, just ahead of Julian in his Solo. The two Vagos of Adrian (single handed) and Dean & Nick were next through, followed by Jeremy (Laser), Chris H (Comet) then William (Radial) and brother Rhys (Topper).
No change in the two leaders on the second lap, but Dave L had got past Karen to move up to 3rd.
Rick had passed Newton to move up one place and Dean & Nick had got past Julian. William also gained a place by passing Chris H.
On the third lap there was no change in position for the first three boats, but Karen had lost another place to James who moved up to 4th. Newton had gained two places passing Rick and Franz, who must have had a moment as he had dropped down to 11th. Dean & Nick and Julian were up two places to 7th and 8th respectively. Adrian and William both gained a place and Rhys received the finish gun at the end of the lap.
By the end of the final lap Jon had managed to get past Ellen to cross the line in 1st place. Behind them there was a fierce battle for 3rd spot. James actually rounded the final mark in 3rd place, but then opted to tack immediately. Dave L and Karen were very close behind and this unexpected tack threw all three into some confusion. In the melee Karen came out best and crossed the line in 3rd place and Dave L just managed to get his bow in front of James to take 4th. Further back Franz had regained two places to finish 9th and both.
The final positions on the water were –
1st Jon; 2nd Ellen; 3rd Karen; 4th Dave L; 5th James; 6th Newton
On handicap the first three should retain their positions, but Newton should move up to 4th leapfrogging Dave and James.
Thanks to Mike A (apart from Newton and Ellen!) and to Cecilia who had a lonely vigil in the Safety Boat and was the only person on the OOD rota to show up! Thanks also to Bob W who stepped up at the last minute to help with the race.