Gillette Series 5 – 15th May 2019

There was a good turnout tonight with 19 starters and first man back through the start was Mike T (Laser) followed by the first woman Karen (Laser) and they kept those positions for all three laps of the race.

On the first lap the whole fleet was quite tightly bunched and Steve S (Solo) came through in 3^rd place closely followed by Ed (Laser), Dean & Nick (Vago) and Chris H (Comet). About 30 seconds later Mike Todd (Laser) crossed in 7^th place just ahead of Stuart & Sally (Leader), Chris A (Solo) and Jeremy (Laser). Another 30 seconds elapsed and along came Ron (Mirror) in 11^th leading another clos group consisting of Nigel (Laser), Adrian (Vago s/h), Mike C & Martin (Wanderer) and Paul H (Laser). Chris & Carol were next across the line in their 420, but unfortunately they were later disqualified for missing a mark (still Alfie their golden retriever was pleased to see them back earlier than expected!) Then one minute later Jemima (Oppie) crossed the line and she was some four minutes ahead of Bill (K1) and Rich F (Wanderer).

On the second lap, no change with the two leaders but Ed crossed the line just ahead of Steve to take 3^rd position and Chris H moved past Dean & Nick to move up to 5^th. Chris A gained two places passing Sally & Stuart and Mike Todd and Jeremy also got past Sally & Stuart to gain a place. Further back Paul H moved up one place.

By the end of the last lap Steve had regained 3^rd place and Dean & Nick moved up two places to finish in 4^th spot. There were no other changes in position and the final order on the water was –

1^st Mike T; 2^nd Karen ; 3^rd Steve S; 4^th Dean & Nick; 5^th Chris H; 6^th Ed

On corrected time the order changes to –

1^st Jemima; 2^nd Ron; 3^rd Steve S; 4^th Chris H; 5^th Mike T; 6^th Karen

Thanks to SOOD Simon B and the OOD Team of Ferdinando, Richard H and Patrick C.