Gillette Series 3 – 2nd May 2018

It was a very pleasant evening with the sun out, but the West wind of about 12 -10 mph gave Newton a bit of a problem in setting the start line. He settled for a safety boat start with the line parallel to the bank going directly out to X on the buoy line then 9s, 5p, 8p, Op (Red flag buoy just North of 8 and halfway along the start line)) and then back through the start line.

14 starters tonight and it was good to see Simon Ba back on the water with his yellow Laser.
There was a bit of a kerfuffle at the first mark with boats coming down the buoy line on starboard encountering boats on port trying to nip across to round the mark!
The other Simon (Blaze) was first back through the line followed by five Lasers led by Karen then Ellen, Curtis, Rick and Simon, although Curtis was using a Radial rig. Mike A (Lightning was next through and having a good tussle with Paul H (Supernova) with Sally & Stuart (Leader) and Richard H (Laser) not far behind them. Then along came Jeremy (Laser) Dave & Ann (Leader) and Chris & Carol (Sport 14) who were all close together and bringing up the rear was Jemima (Oppie) who was the only junior out on the water.

Simon, Karen and Ellen were still 1, 2 and 3 at the end of the second lap, but Rick had passed Curtis to move up to 4th place. Further back the only other mover was Richard H who had got past Sally & Stuart to move to 9th.

On the third lap there was no change in order for the first five, although Karen had moved closer to Simon (Blaze) in the lead. Richard H had gained three places to move to 6th and David & Ann had passed Jeremy.

On lap four no change at the front but a good battle in mid fleet with Simon (Laser) retaking Richard H and Jeremy moving up two places by passing the Leaders, who were having their own race with . Dave & Ann just getting past Sally & Stuart. Jemima received the gun at the end of this lap

At the end of the fifth lap Simon (Laser) had just passed Curtis to move up to 5th place when along came Simon (Blaze) to lap everyone else. So Curtis now in 6th place received the finish gun as did everyone behind him. Further back the battle waged on as Jeremy was retaken by both the Leaders.

The first five had to do an extra lap, although some of them were finishing before the other boats had completed their fifth lap as there was quite a bit of overlapping!

The final order on the water was –
1st Simon (Blaze); 2nd Karen: 3rd Ellen; 4th Rick; 5th Simon (Laser); 6th Curtis

On handicap Karen will take 1st place with Simon 2nd and Ellen 3rd, but Jemima should move up to 4th with Mike A up to 5th and Curtis 6th.

Thanks to Newton and the OOD Team of Cliff, Mark H, Nick and Tracey.