Sunset Shield 1 – 4th August 2021

There was very little wind near the Clubhouse and Newton and Steve S ventured forth with a wind diviner (otherwise known as an old mast head pennant) to find some and set a course!

They managed to do this, but not without some last minute adjustments as the wind was Southish but veering around as start time approached. This turned out to be C (just NW of Tektona) with a starboard rounding up to A near the buoy line, then back towards B in the general direction of 2 and back through the start line round D (just behind the line) and back across the line to finish the lap.

There were 20 starters with. a bit of argy-bargy at the start (Mike C thought he was sailing a new slimline Solo!). First back across the line was Karen (Laser) followed by Rhys in another Laser and these two led for four of the five laps. Chris H (Comet) was in 3^rd place, about a minute ahead of Mike T (Laser), then there was a close group of boats led by Roland S (Solo), then Mark (Laser), Mike C (Solo), Newton & Sam (RS200), Dave & Ann (Leader) and James P (Laser). There was a bit of a gap before Jamie (Laser) crossed in 11^th place followed by Emily (Radial), Mike A (Lightning) and Steve S & Rick (RS200) with Jeremy (Laser) arriving a minute later. Will (Radial) who is usually further up the fleet came through in 16^th place and it was another three minutes before Chris & Carol (420) came along with Alex & Matt (470), Rich (Comet Duo) and Angus (Mirror) following on.

There was no change in the first four on the second lap, but Newton & Sam and Mike C gained three places to move up to 5^thand 6^th respectively. James P passed Dave & Ann and Mark to move to 8^th and Emily also got past Dave & Ann and Jamie to move up to 10^th place.

Further back both Jeremy and Will gained a place by passing Steve & Rick. Alex & Matt and Rich also gained a place by passing Chris & Carol. Angus received the gun at the end of his second lap.

By the end of the third lap Newton & Sam had moved to 3^rd place with Mike T still 4^th and Mike C was up to 5^th. Mark had regained two places and was now in 7^th place with Roland only six seconds behind him. The close battle in the middle of the fleet between James P,   Dave & Ann and Emily continued, as did the battle between Jeremy and Will and at the rear of the fleet Chris & Carol had repassed Rich who received the gun at the end of the lap.

On the fourth lap the leading five boats held position, but Mark had regained 6^th place by passing Chris H. Roland was holding 8^th spot with Emily up to 9^th passing Dave & Ann and James to gain this position. Behind them Jamie was unfortunate to capsize just before the line as Karen swooped past to lap him. Jamie, Mike A, Will, Jeremy, Steve & Rick, Alex & Matt and Chris & Carol all received the gun having been lapped by Karen.

At the finish Karen had increased her lead to over three minutes and Newton & Sam had managed to snatch 2^nd place from Rhys. Mike T and Mike C battling for 4^th place crossed the line together. Mark held on to 6^th place but crossed only 15 seconds ahead of Chris H. James and Dave & Ann had a good last lap gaining two places to finish 8^th and 9^th with Emily 10^th and Roland 11^th.

On corrected time the result becomes – 1^st Karen; 2^nd Chris H; 3^rd Mike C; 4^th Newton & Sam; 5^th Rhys; 6^th Mike T.

Thanks to SOOD Sally and the race team of Ian S, Monica and Paul H (who nearly escaped but got nobbled by Sally as he was about to get in his car!).

Sally would also like to thank Newton and Steve S for their help in setting the course