28th January 2018 Frostbite Series Race 8
It was a windy morning again stronger than forecast with some white horses before the race and strong gusts sweeping through.
There were 11 starters and everyone apart from Newton and Adrian went down a rig, and Ellen went down two to a 4.7. Richard H though better of it and did not launch his RS400. Rick and Newton capsized just before the start. Jon and Steve had a good battle out front as did Ellen and James a little way back battling for 3rd place.
At the end of the first lap Jon (Laser) was 1st through the line closely followed by Steve (Aero), then 30 seconds back came the trio of James, Ellen and Adrian (nominally all in Lasers). A minute later William (Radial but flying a 4.7) came through, and in turn he was a minute ahead of Chris H (Comet), Newton (Solo) and Gareth (Laser) followed at some distance by Dean & Nick (Vago) and Rick (Laser).
No change in the first six at the end of the second lap, but Gareth had passed Newton and Chris to move up to 7th place and Rick had caught and passed Dean & Nick.
On the third lap Ellen had moved up to 3rd by passing James, but there were no other changes in position.
On the fourth and last lap Jon had stretched his lead over Steve to cross the line comfortably in 1st place (although in these conditions comfortably is the wrong word to use, perhaps thankfully might be a better descriptor!). There were no other changes apart from Rick and Dean & Nick passing Chris H to give him the coveted lantern rouge.
The final positions on the water were –
1st Jon; 2nd; Steve; 3rd Ellen; 4th James; 5th Adrian; 6th William
On handicap the first three should keep their positions, but William will move up to 4th with James down to 5th just ahead of Newton who will move up to 6th.
Thanks to SOOD Sylvia and the OOD team of Alex, Mark, Ralph, Richard H, Peter S and especially to Brian and Richard who turned up to help Sylvia knowing that she was likely to be short-handed.