Spring Series 4 – 10th April 2022

Another light wind today coming from the South but veering throughout the morning. Mike A used a CB start out towards the buoy line halfway between 4 and 5 with the first mark as A (towards 2 but further out), 1, 9, 5, B (middle of the lake) and back through the start. It was good to see Karen back on the water returning from her Winter migration to France.

Pursuit Race

There were 12 starters for the third race in a row and as usual Ron/Mirror was in the lead at the end of the first lap. Steve Sharp having an outing in his Solo was next through but only one second ahead of Richard S/Laser. Aileen came through in 4^th place and was the leading Comet with Chris H back in 7^th and Sally 10^th. James C/RS300 was making rapid progress through the fleet and was already up to 5^th having just passed Karen/Laser. Nigel/Laser was going steadily in 8^th with Dave & Ann/Leader 9^th and bringing up the rear were Alessandro & Mike T/470 and Rick & Lottie/RS200.

At the end of the second lap Richard was leading but it looked as if he was about to be caught by James C, but unfortunately for James he snagged the outer start line pin and stalled.

The order at the gun was – 1^st Richard; 2^nd James C; 3^rd Steve; 4^th Karen; 5^th Aileen; 6^th Dave & Ann.

Handicap Race

At the start most had opted for a pin end start which resulted in a spot of argy-bargy, some shouting and banging! Everyone eventually got under way, but Mike T & Alessandro and Rick & Lottie were left doing turns.

First back across the line was James C about one minute ahead of Karen and Richard and the latter pair had a race long battle for 2^nd place. Nigel was through in 4^th place just ahead of Dave & Ann, Steve and Mike T & Alessandro (recovering from their dodgy start). Then came the battle of the Comets with Chris H leading from Aileen and Sally with a light gap back to Rick & Lottie and Ron.

At the end of the second lap James was still leading but the Lasers were slightly closer. Mike T & Alessandro had gained three place to move to 4^th and Steve was up one place to 5^th. Nigel and Dave & Ann lost two places to drop back to 6^th and 7^th and behind them there were no other changes in position.

On the third lap the only change in the order of the first six was Richard just getting past Karen to move up to 2^nd place. Chris H passed Dave & Ann to move up to 7^th place and Rick & Lottie gained two places to move to 9^th. Sally moved up to 10^th passing Aileen and Ron received the gun at the end of the lap.

James C crossed the finish line in 1^st position with an increased lead and Richard managed to just stay ahead of Karen in the battle for second. Everyone else maintained station but the closest finish of the day was between Sally and Aileen. Sally had rounded the final mark with what looked to be a comfortable lead but as she approached the line she slowed and Aileen’s speed increased and they were overlapped as they crossed the line, but Sally just had her nose ahead    

The order on the water was – 1^st James C; 2^nd Richard S; 3^rd Karen; 4^th Miker T & Alessandro; 5^th Steve; 6^th Nigel.

On corrected time this changes to – 1^st Richard; 2^nd Karen; 3^rd Ron; 4^th Chris H; 5^th James C; 6^th Sally

Thanks to SOOD Mike Arnott and the race team of Chris Andrews, Helen Juon, Paul Waterman, Philip Markham and Steve Mann.