Gillette Series 6 – 23rd May 2018

The wind was about 12 mph from the NNE and Mike A used an Island start with a first beat down to X (in the middle of the lake about level with No 8) then 5p, 9s, 4p, 2p and back through the start.

There were 18 starters and it turned out to be a five lap affair with some really close tussles. Karen (Laser) was a clear leader at the end of the first lap followed by Mark and Ellen in Lasers who crossed the line together. Then came the two Solos of Steve S and Newton who had a close battle for most of the race. There was a very close battle between the next four boats of Hugh (Laser), Rick (Laser), Curtis (Radial) and Dean & Nick (Vago) and this also continued throughout the race .After a gap of about 40 seconds another three boats crossed the line in close order led by Sally & Stuart (Leader) then Jeremy (Laser) and Paul H (Laser). Two minutes elapsed before Ron (Mirror) turned up and he was about the same distance ahead of Ed and Jemima in Oppies and Thomas M in his Topper with Luke (Topper)and Chris & Carol (Sport 14) bringing up the rear of the fleet.

At the end of the second lap Karen still led, but Ellen had squeezed past Mark to move up to 2nd place with Steve S and Newton still chasing them. Both Rick and Curtis had got past Hugh to move up to 6th and 7th places and Paul H had made up two places to 10th place.

On the third lap there was no change in order with the first five boats, but Hugh had regained 6th spot with Rick 7th and Dean & Nick up one place to 8th by passing Curtis. The only change lower down the fleet was Thomas gaining one place by passing Jemima. Luke received the gun at the end of this lap and well done to him as this was his first race.

No change in the leading four on the fourth lap, but Hugh gained another place by getting past Newton to take 5th place from him and that was the only change of position on this lap. Ed, Thomas, Jemima and Chris & Carol all received the gun at the end of the lap.

At the end of the final and sixth lap there was no change in the order of the first six boats, but Dean & Nick had got past Rick to move up to 7th and Jeremy had passed Sally & Stuart to take 11th place.
The final order on the water was –
1st Karen; 2nd Ellen; 3rd Mark; 4th Steve S; 5th Hugh; 6th Newton

On Handicap Karen and Ellen should keep their 1st and 2nd places, but Ed will move up to 3rd with Jemima 4th pushing Steve down to 5th and Mark down to 6th.

Thanks to Mike A and the OOD Team of Ann D, Clare D, Graham K, Mike C and Simon B (Blaze).