Gillette series 11 – 27th June 2018

It was a warm sunny evening with a 9 mph wind from the ENE, but as usual veering round quite a bit. Steve S used a Tektona start with a first beat to X (middle of the lake just NW of No 8) then 5, 9, 4, 2, and back through the start.

There were 23 starters and at the end of the first lap the boats were still fairly close together and evenly spaced. First back through the line was Steve (Blaze) followed by the Lasers of Karen, Mark B and Ellen. Newton (Solo) was 5th just ahead of Curtis and Mike Tr in two more Lasers. Then Dave & Ann in the first of the two Leaders out tonight crossed the line in 8th place, followed by another trio of Lasers helmed by Hugh, Ben H and Rick. Monica (Europe) resplendent in pink was next through in 12th place just five seconds ahead of John H (Laser) who in turn was about 15 seconds ahead of Mike A (Lightning). Then there was a slight gap before the quartet of Bob (Solo), Sally & Stuart (Leader), Mike T (Laser) and Paul H (Laser) came through the line. Then two minutes later Jemima (Oppie) and Ron (Mirror) came through close together, some two and a half minutes ahead of Jeremy in his substantial Skipper (it was rumoured he was off on his holidays, but missed a turn at Sonning lock) and finally Thomas (Topper) and Chris & Carol (Sport 14) turned up.

The race lasted for five laps and Simon and Karen kept their 1st and 2nd places for the whole of the race, but Simon could not manage to pull away as he often does in stronger winds. At the end of the second lap Mark was still in 3rd place with Ellen 4th and this was another battle that continued through the race. Curtis had managed to pass Newton to move up to 5th and Rick, Monica and John H were all up three places to 8th,9th and 10th respectively. Further back Bob, Mike T and Paul H all gained a place and Ron had got past Jemima. Thomas retired at the end of this lap.

On the third lap the four leaders maintained their positions, but Newton regained 5th place from Curtis, who also lost a place to Mike Tr who moved up to 6th place. John H had got past Monica and Rick who crossed the line together in joint 9th place. Further back Mike A and Paul H both gained one place. Jeremy did not proceed further than three laps, but not sure if he retired or received an early finish gun or got back to Sonning Lock.

At the end of the fourth lap Ellen had passed Mark to move up to 3rd position and Newton and Mike Tr crossed the line dead level in joint 5th. Curtis was still 7th, but Rick had moved up to 8th with Monica 9th Hugh 10th and Ben 11th (putting one over the old man!). Dave & Ann had got past Mike A and they had been enjoying a close battle trading places throughout the race. There were no other changes in position (at least by the time the finish line was crossed!)
Monica, Sally & Stuart, Ron, Jemima and Chris & Carol all finished at the end of the fourth lap, but again not sure if they retired or received the finish gun.

At the end of the last lap Simon crossed the line in 1st place with Karen 2nd, but Mark had regained 3rd spot from Ellen and Newton had edged away from Mike Tr to take 5th. Curtis and Rick could not be separated at the line in the battle for 7th place. Hugh gained a place (as a result of Monica stopping a lap earlier) to finish in 9th and John H restored the family pecking order by getting past Ben. Further back Paul H gained two places by passing Bob and Mike T.

The final order on the water was –
1st Simon; 2nd Karen; 3rd Mark; 4th Ellen; 5th Newton; 6th Mike Tr

On Handicap Karen should take the win with Jemima up to 2nd,Newton up to 3rd, Mark down to 4th, Simon down to 5th and Ellen 6th.

So a good day for the Dads with all three – Newton, Curtis and John H beating their offspring – make the most of it lads it won’t last !!

Thanks to Steve S and the OOD Team of Al, Elaine W and Nick.