Gillette Series 17 – 7th August 2019

As for last week the wind was higher than forecast about 16 mph from the WSW with stronger gusts coming through. Mike A set a first beat down to 4 then 2, 5, 8, 6, 7 and back through the start.

Julian B (D-Zero) was first back through the line and gradually increased his lead over the four laps of the race. Mike Tr (Laser) came through about a minute later in 2^nd place followed closely by Ralph, Hugh and Karen all in Lasers. Dean & Nick (Vago) were next across the line not far ahead of Mark (Laser) with Newton (Solo) just behind him in 8^th place and 10 seconds later Alistair S (Laser) in 9^th spot. Ed in a Radial crossed in 10^th just six seconds ahead of Jeremy (Laser) and Rhys (4.7). After a slight gap Rick (Laser) came along in 13^th with Dave & Ann (Leader) on his transom. About a minute later Paul H (Supernova) was just in front of Nigel L (Laser) and unfortunately Nigel capsized just after crossing the line and as he was close to the bank had no room to manoeuvre and had to retire. Twenty seconds after this Ben & Mike T (Laser 2000) came through closely followed by Ron (Mirror) and Emily (Topper) with Jemima (Oppie) just 15 seconds behind her. Then there was a long gap before Bea crossed the line in her Oppie and finally Rich F (Pico) and Phoebe (Oppie) came along.

No change in the three leaders at the end of the second lap but Karen had passed Hugh to move to 4th and Newton was up to 6^th. Ed gained a place as Alistair had come to grief earlier in the lap and Rhys gained a place by passing Jeremy. Rick leapfrogged them both to move up three places to 10^th.

Dave & Ann and Paul H also gained a place at Alistair’s expense, who having got going again came through just 8 seconds behind Paul. Emily had passed Ben & Mike T and Ron to move up two places.

Phoebe and Bea received the finish gun and Rich retired on his second lap.

On the third lap the first three and the 6^th to 8^th placed boats maintained station whilst in the middle of these two groups Hugh repassed Karen. Rick passed Ed to move up another place to 9th and Jeremy repassed Rhys to move back to 11^th place. Alistair caught Paul H and crossed the line just one second ahead (well overlapped actually). Further back Ron had caught and passed Ben & Mike T and these and Jemima received the finish gun at the end of this lap.

Julian had increased his lead to nearly four minutes by the end of the last lap, but there was no change in the order of the first five boats. Mark who had a race long battle with Dean & Nick managed to get past them on this last lap to claim 6^th place. Rick passed Newton to move up to 8^th spot and behind them Ed and Jeremy, who had also enjoyed a race long battle retained 10^th and 11^th places. Dave & Ann passed Rhys and Paul H repassed Alistair.

The final order on the water was – 1^st Julian; 2^nd Mike Tr; 3^rd Ralph; 4^th Hugh; 5^th Karen; 6^th Mark

On corrected time Jemima does it again! – 1^st Jemima; 2^nd Julian; 3^rd Mike Tr; 4^th Ralph; 5^th Hugh; 6^th Newton

Thanks to Mike A and the OOD Team of Gareth E, Richard H, Sally, Stuart and Victor.