Gillette Series 4 – 9th May 2018

There was a reasonable wind tonight about 11 mph from the WSW. Ellen set a first beat down to 4 then 9s, 3p, 8p, 6s, 7s and back through the start.

There were 19 starters and it was good to see a mini fleet of juniors with Ed and Jemima in Oppies and Thomas in a Topper.

The first three back through the start were Karen (Laser), Mark (Laser) and Steve S (Solo), but Dean & Nick (Vago) and Newton (Solo) were not too far behind them. Dave & Ann (Leader) came through in 6th place just ahead of Curtis (Radial), then 40 seconds later Peter S (Byte), Rick (Laser) and Sally & Stuart (Leader) arrived in close company. Further back Mike A (Lightning, Paul H (Laser) and Jeremy (Laser) were having their own race some four minutes ahead of the juniors with Jemima and Thomas crossing the line together with Ed just behind them. At the rear of the fleet Dave P (Mirror) was ahead of Chris& Carol (Sport 14) with newcomer Andy B (Radial) following them.

At the end of the second lap there was no change in the first three, but Newton had passed Dean & Nick to move up to 4th place and Rick had gained three places to move to 6th. Sally & Stuart and Paul H were up one place. Further back Chris & Carol and Andy B had made up four places and Jemima was leading the juniors with Edward now 2nd and Thomas 3rd.
Chris & Carol, Andy B, Jemima, Edward, Thomas and Dave P all received the gun at the end of this lap.

The race finished at the end of the third lap with Karen crossing the line in 1st place with Mark still 2nd and Newton gaining the Solo honours by just pipping Steve S for 3rd. The other movers on this last lap were Paul H and Jeremy who both gained a place. The final positions on the water were –
1st Karen; 2nd Mark; 3rd Newton; 4th Steve S; 5th Dean & Nick; 6th Rick

On handicap, if the juniors are included in the main fleet, the positions would be –
1st Jemima; 2nd Edward; 3rd Karen; 4th Newton; 5th Steve S; 6th Mark B

If the fleets are split the juniors would be –
1st Jemima; 2nd Edward; 3rd Thomas and the seniors would be –
1st Karen; 2nd Newton; 3rd Steve S; 4th Mark B; 5th Dave & Ann; 6th Sally & Stuart

Who said – “life is simple” over to the Racing Sec to sort that one out!

Thanks to Ellen and the OOD team of Alistair S, Helene W, Nigel L and Simon (Blaze).