Gillette Series 7 – 21st July 2021

Tonight was hot and sunny with a NE wind about 6 mph. Mike A used a CB start line on an East West axis near to No 5 with the first mark as A, then 5, 9, 4, 8, B and back though the start line.

There were 17 starters and 12 finishers with five retirements on the first of the two laps, which tells the story of a course that was too long and a wind that virtually disappeared!

Mike A (that’s me!) would like to apologise to all competitors for extending the expected duration of the race and keeping them out in the doldrums for so long! This apology also extends to the unlucky race team of Sam and Hadey; Sam who recorded the race times in her usual immaculate way and Hadey who provided a tow boat service to many of the stranded souls!

Back to the race and Emily & Newton (RS200) got away at the front and finished over 10 minutes ahead of Mike C (Solo) who had passed Karen on the second lap to take 2nd place. Roland S in another Solo was 4th with Mark (Laser) in 5th place, a position he gained by passing Dave & Ann (Leader) on his second lap.  On the first lap Chris H (Comet) was in 7th place but he was caught and passed by Steve S & Rick (RS200).

The rest of the fleet was finished (in more ways than one) at the end of their first lap with Thomas M just crossing the line in 9th ahead of Nigel, both in Lasers. Young Jack & Ron were next to finish with Ron providing some valuable coaching for Jack and then Chris & Carol (Sport 14) made it to the finish line.  

The remaining boats got trapped in the black hole of Number 8, so Sally (Comet), Paul H (Laser), Chris & Hilary (Wayfarer), Rich F (Comet Duo) and Paul W (Morbic 12) all wisely decided to retire. Sorry to inflict that upon you.

The final order on the water was – 1st Emily & Newton; 2nd Mike C; 3rd Karen; 4th Roland S; 5th Mark; 6th Dave & Ann.

On corrected time the order of the first four remains the same, but Dave & Ann leapfrog Mark to take 5th place  pushing him down to 6th.

Thanks to Sam and Hadey for their help and to all SOODs a warning to beware of a long course with a chance of a dying wind on a Wednesday night (and avoid 8 if the Wind has an E in it!).