July Cup Races 2021 – Sunday 18th July

The format for the July Cup this year was four races, each about 30 minutes duration with three to count. It was very hot and sunny, but there was only a light breeze. Paul R was SOOD and used the movable marks A, B, C and D to give himself more flexibility.

There were 15 competitors initially, but Jess, Jewels and Dave & Ann decided one race was enough for them and James and Mark opted out after two races.

The first race turned out to be a one lap affair as the wind dropped. Having said that, Newton & Sam in the RS200 finished in 1^st place in 28 minutes and the last finisher was Joe in 54 minutes and Sally and Paul W did not finish at all! The first six on the water were Newton & Sam (RS200), Mike C (Solo), Rhys (Laser), Mark (Laser), Jess (Laser) and Chris H (Comet).

On corrected time this becomes – 1^st Mike C; 2^nd Newton & Sam; 3^rd Rhys; 4^th Ron; 5^th Chris H; 6^th Mark.

Paul adjusted the course for the second race and got the timing spot on with two laps taking just over 30 minutes. Newton & Sam were first back across the line followed closely by Rhys and the old man battling for 2^nd place. Mike C was 4^th about one minute ahead of Mark in 5^th,  who in turn was one minute ahead of Aileen (Comet) in 6^th just ahead of Ron (Mirror) and Chris H in another Comet.  Behind them Joe (Laser) and Emily (Radial) were only split by 5 seconds with Paul W Morbic 12) and Sally (Comet) bringing up the rear. At the end of the second lap Mike C had moved up to 2^nd place with James 3^rd,Rhys 4^th, Chris H 5^th and Joe 6^th.

On corrected time the order changes to – 1^st Ron; 2^nd Newton & Sam; 3^rd Mike C; 4^th Chris H; 5^th James; 6^th Rhys.

After a short lunch break Paul tweeked the course again and this time the fleet managed two laps in a slightly shorter time.  Chris H was first back across the line followed by Aileen, so a good start for the Comets. Newton & Sam were 3^rd with Rhys 4^th, Mike C 5^th and Emily 6^th.  Sally crossed in 7^th ahead of Joe with Ron and Paul W behind them. At the finish Newton & Sam were up to to 1^st, but there were no other changes in position.

The order on corrected time was – 1^st Chris H; 2^nd Aileen; 3^rd Mike C; 4^th Newton & Sam; 5^th Emily; 6^th Rhys.      

The final race was also a two lapper and Newton & Sam were again first back across the line with Rhys in a good 2^nd place about one minute ahead of Mike C in 3^rd.  The Comets of Chris H and Aileen were next along with Emily in 6^th place and Joe in 7^th place. Ron and Paul W vying for the lanterne rouge. Unusually there were no changes at all in position at the end of the second lap.

The corrected order was – 1^st Newton & Sam; 2^nd Rhys; 3^rd Chris H; 4^th Mike C; 5^th Aileen; 6^th Emily.

Interesting to note all the races were won by a different helm with a different class boat.

When the numbers were crunched and the discards made the final podium was

– 1^st Newton & Sam (RS200); 2^nd Mike C (Solo); 3^rd Chris H (Comet).

Congratulations to Newton & Sam the winners of the July Cup for 2021.

Thanks to SOOD Paul R and the race team of Hadey, Bill, Mike and Nando.