Sunset Shield 4 – 25th August 2021

With a tricky wind varying between 5 and 12 mph, Hadey set a course of A, 5, 9, 4, 2 and back through the start.

It was quite a busy start line with 22 boats lining up (well loosely) for the gun. The pattern for the race was established at the end of the first lap when Newton & Ainhoa (RS200) led across the line followed by Ellen (Laser) and Mark (Laser) and these three maintained those positions for all three laps.  There was a good battle for the next six places between Nigel (Laser), Steve & Rick (RS200), Roland S (Solo), Dave & Ann (Leader), Mike T (Laser) and Dean & Nick (Vago). Joe (Laser) was right behind Dean & Nick, but he retired on the second lap leaving Jamie and Paul H in Lasers and Mike C (Solo) to do the chasing. Strangely Ralph was languishing towards the back of the fleet when he is usually in the leading group and battling with Jeremy (Laser) and Sally (Comet).

Dairmuid (Laser) retired on the first lap and Casten (Laser), Paul W (Morbic), Hattie (Laser) and Rich F (Comet Duo) all received the gun at the end of two laps.

At the end of the last lap Dave & Ann had triumphed in the fight for 4^th place with Nigel 5^th and Mike T up to 6^th, which would normally be down for him!  In the battle further back Paul H and Mike C had gained the advantage both of them managing to get past Dean & Nick.

The final order on the water was – 1^st Newton & Ainhoa; 2^nd Ellen; 3^rd Mark; 4^th Dave & Ann; 5^th Nigel; 6^th Mike T  

On corrected time the only change is Dave & Ann leapfrogging Mark to take 3^rd spot.

Thanks to SOOD Hadey and the race team of Monica, Angus and Chris H.