Gillette Series 4 – 30th June 2021

The forecast was for a NNE wind of 7 mph, but on the race sheet SOOD Mark recorded a wind strength and direction of “NOTHING!” There was also no course recorded, but there must have been a short one because they managed to fit in four laps in 45 minutes.

Mike T (Laser) was first back through the line with Emily & Newton (RS200) in 2^nd place followed by Roland S (Solo), Karen (Laser) and the A Team (Rick & Steve S) in another RS200. Chris H (Comet) came through in 6^th place, still recovering from Sunday morning. A mystery boat came along next, a 470, sail number 868 and a helm designated A (perhaps this is the real A team or perhaps A stands for anonymous). Anyway if anyone can identify the sailor we will feature him in the next race report.  The Commodore crossed in 8^th position (can anyone remember his name? Then came the friendly bunch Pip & Squeak in the Leader, Sally (Comet), Ron (Mirror), William S (Topper) and Angus the boatman in another Mirror.

Mike T led for the remaining three laps and Emily & Newton and Karen kept swapping places in the battle for 2nd spot.  Roland was a steady 4^th and Rick and Steve a steady 5^th. There was a ding dong for 6^th and 7^th places involving Nigel (that’s his name!), Dave & Ann and Chris H, with A maintaining 9^th place. Ron had received the gun at the end of his third lap as he had been lapped by the leaders.

The final order on the water was – 1^st Mike T; 2^nd Emily & Newton; 3^rd Karen; 4^th Roland S; 5^th Rick & Steve; 6^th Nigel.

On corrected time this changes to – 1^st Mike T; 2^nd Karen; Equal 3^rd Emily & Newton and Roland; 5^th Chris H; 6^th Dave & Ann.

Thanks to SOOD Mark and the race team of Andrew, Mike C and Nick H.