Gillette Series 3 – 23rd June 2021

The forecast was for a NE wind, but it turned out to be more or less a West wind of about 6 mph, but this dropped as the evening progressed. Ralph set the first beat to 5 then B (towards Tektona), A (up near the buoy line halfway between 4 and 5), C (near 8) and back through the start.

There were 17 starters and the boats starting on the Port end of the line made the right call and led round the first mark.

Karen and Mark (Lasers) were first back across the line with Emily & Newton (RS2000) just behind them in 3^rd place. The Lasers of Mike T and Jess were next along followed by Chris H (Comet) and the two Solos of Roland S and Mike C. Dave & Ann (Leader) crossed in 9^th place with Chris K (Laser) 10 seconds further back and Ron (Mirror) another minute behind him. Aileen (Comet) came along in 12^th followed by Mike A (Lightning) and Richard H (Laser). Then there was a gap back to Paul H(Laser), Rick & Steve S (RS200) and Sally (Comet).

At the end of the second lap there was no change in the leading two, but Mike T had moved up to 3^rd passing Emily & Newton and Chris H moved up to 5^th by passing Jess. In the battle of the Solos Mike C had managed to get past Roland to move up to 6^th. Mike A moved up three places and Richard H was up two. Rick & Steve and Sally moved up a place by passing Paul. By this time, the wind was starting to drop and Rick & Steve, Sally and Paul H all received the gun at the end of the lap, which turned out to be a stroke of luck.

On the last lap Karen managed to get past Mark to take 1^st place and there was no change in the next three positions, but both Mike C and Roland passed Jess to take 6^th and 7^th places. Dave & Ann were beginning to suffer from the drop in wind strength and finished in a solitary 9^th. However, this was nothing compared to the fate of the boats behind them. Aileen retired earlier in the lap, but Mike A, Ron, Chris K and Richard H found themselves virtually becalmed. They struggled on to reach the line and Richard H with the end in sight could not stand it any longer and retired as did Ron when he slipped back from Chris and Mike.

The final order on the water was – 1^st Karen; 2^nd Mark; 3^rd Mike T; 4^th Emily & Newton; 5^th Chris H; 6^th Mike C.

On corrected time this changes to – 1^st Karen; 2^nd Mark; 3^rd Chris H; 4^th Mike T; 5^th Emily & Newton; 6^th Mike C.

Thanks to SOOD Ralph and the race team of Phoebe & Sam S, Roland L, Nick H and Nigel.