Cobley 11 – 1st December 2019

It was quite cold this morning with a N to NNE wind about 9 – 11 mph with stronger gusts coming through. Julian B used a Tektona start with a first beat down to A (near the buoy line between 5 and 6), then 5, 9, 3 and back through the start line.   

Pursuit Race

14 starters this morning and early starter Chris H (Comet) was first back through the line followed by Steve S (Solo) then Dave & Ann (Leader) just ahead of Ellen & Newton (RS200) with Mike A (Lightning) about a minute further back. Mike T and Karen (both Lasers) crossed the line abreast battling for 6^th place. Rhys (4.7) was next along with Pater Primrose (Laser) closing in on him, and they were about 20 seconds ahead of Rick (Laser). Sally & Mike in the second Leader were next along not far in front of Adrian (Vago s/h). Bringing up the rear was Ron, who missed his starting slot for the second week in a row! This is despite being the first boat out on the bank. Its obviously taking him too long to get his kit on, he’ll have to get a dresser or a valet! Julian W (Solo) came to grief early on and decided a wet wetsuit was not the thing to have on when a cold North wind was blowing, so headed to the bank for a hot cup of tea!

By the end of the second lap Newton & Ellen had come to the front with the 2^nd and 3^rd place boats keeping their positions, Karen moved up to 4^th and Chris slipped back to 6^th. James and Rick had caught and passed Rhys and Mike A to move up to 7^th and 8^th. Adrian had moved up two places by also passing Rhys and Sally & Mike C. 

At the gun the final order was – 1^st Ellen & Newton; 2^nd Mike T; 3^rd Steve S; 4^th Karen; 5^th Dave & Ann; 6^th James

Handicap Race

Having got warm and dry Julian decided to stay that way, but Mark and Ralph entered the fray to bring the starters up to 15. The course was changed to A, 5, 9, 4, 2, S.

Newton & Ellen were first back across the line followed by the Lasers of Karen, Mike T, Ralph, James and Mark. Dave & Ann came through in 7^th place nor far ahead of Rick and Mike C & Sally who crossed the line together. Steve S was only 10 seconds behind them, with Adrian only 10 seconds behind him and 30 seconds further back Chris H crossed the line just ahead of Rhys. Bringing up the rear again was Ron, who did not miss the start this time! Mike A retired after capsizing rounding A and finding that Julian was quite right about the temperature and the wind chill.

On the second lap there was no change at the front but Ralph moved up two places to 2^nd and James one place to 4^th. Steve S passed Mike C & Sally and Rick to move up to 8^th place. Mike C & Sally also got past Rick as did Adrian, so Rick slipped back to 11^th with Mike & Sally 9^th and Adrian 10^th. Behind them, there was no change in position with Chris, Rhys and Ron. 

At the end of the third lap, Newton & Ellen still led with Ralph 2^nd and Mike T 3^rd and James and Mark crossed the line together fighting for 4^th spot. Karen, who was lying 5^th retired, so Dave & Ann, Steve S, Mike & Sally and Adrian moved up to 6^th, 7^th, 8^th and 9th respectively. Chris H and Rhys also gained another place by passing Rick.   

On the fourth lap Ralph retired letting Mike T up to 2^nd place and Mark got the better of James to claim 3^rd place.  Everyone behind them gained a place due to Ralph’s retirement, but Adrian also retired from 9^th spot. Rhys passed Chris to move up to 8^th and Ron gained two places due to the retirements.

Chris H, Rick and Ron had all been lapped before they reached the line, so received the finish gun as they crossed.

At the end of the fifth and last lap there was a dramatic finish when Mike T pipped Newton & Ellen on the line to take 1^st place with Mark 3^rd, James 4^th and Dave & Ann 5^th. Steve S who was in 6^th place retired letting Mike C & Sally up to 6^th place with Rhys the only other finisher in 7^th place.

The final order on the water was –

1^st Mike T; 2^nd Newton & Ellen; 3^rd Mark; 4^th James; 5^th Dave & Ann; 6^th Mike C & Sally; 7^th Rhys.

On corrected time this becomes – 1^st Mike T; 2^nd Newton & Ellen; 3^rd Mark; 4^th Dave & Ann; 5^th James; 6^th Ron

Thanks to Julian B and the OOD Team of John S, Ken P, Nick J and Will S.