Gillette Series 11 – 26th June 2019

Quite a breeze tonight coming from the NE about 14 mph. Mike Tr used a Tektona start with a first beat down to X (middle of lake just past 5) then 5, 9, 2, 3 and back through the start.

There were 19 starters with some close racing throughout the fleet. Ellen (Laser) was first back across the line followed by Mark and Karen also in Lasers. Newton (Solo) was 4^th just ahead of Ralph (Laser) and Steve S in another Solo. Then there was a really tight bunch with Richard H (Laser) leading Rick (Laser), Will (Radial), Dave & Ann (Leader), Mike C & Sam (Wanderer), Joe (Radial) and Jeremy (Laser). About 30 seconds later Dean & Nick (Vago) crossed the line not far ahead of Paul H (Supernova) and Jewels (Mirror) way way ahead of Ron in his Mirror who was behind Emily in her Topper! Last but not least and never to be counted out was Jemima in her Oppie.

The second lap saw no change with the first two, but Newton and Ralph had both got past Karen to move up to 3^rd and 4^th.  Steve was still in 6^th position but Rick had moved up one to 7^th and Dave & Ann and Mike C & Sam gained two places to move up to 8^th and 9^th. Will and Joe in their Radials were having a great battle for 10^th spot, but they had been caught by Paul H who crossed the line abreast with Joe. Ron had caught Emily to move behind Jewels and they had both passed Jeremy. Dean & Nick retired on this lap.

By the end of the third lap Ellen had increased her lead at the front with Ralph moving up two places to 2^nd and Karen regaining a place by passing Mark. Steve was still 6^th and Rick was still 7^th. Further back Paul H moved up by passing Will and Joe, Jeremy regained a place and Ron crossed the line just ahead of Jewels.  Emily and Jemima received the gun at the end of the lap.

No stopping Ellen on the final lap as she finished two minutes ahead of Ralph in 2^nd and Mark repassed Newton and Karen to take 3^rd place.  Steve was still 6^th and Rick was still 7^{th !}  Richard H regained two places as did Jewels who repassed Ron and Jeremy.

Some good close racing tonight and the final order on the water was –

1^st Ellen; 2^nd Ralph; 3^rd Mark; 4^th Newton; 5^th Karen; 6^th Steve S

On corrected time guess who takes the win? Jemima gets 1^st place again with Ellen 2^nd and Newton 3^rd. Jewels takes 4^th place ahead of Ron in 5^th and Ralph slips down to 6^th.

Thanks to SOOD Mike Tr and the OOD Team of Bob H, Caroline G, Chris S and Patrick C.