Commodore’s Cup Race 5 – 11th May 2022

With a SW wind of about 10 – 12 mph and gusts up to 20, SOOD Darren set an interesting course with a first beat to 4, back to 8 and then back to 9 before finishing with 6, 7 and back through the start.

Quite a good turnout with 18 boats on the water. Ed was over the line at the start and Karen also had to go back. James C rounded 8 to port instead of starboard and had to reround!

First back across the line was Mike T/Laser closely followed by James C/RS300. Emily/Radial was going well and crossed in 3^rd place ahead of Ralph/Laser. Karen/Laser came through in 5^th with Alessandro & Matt/470 only five seconds behind her and they were only three seconds ahead of Thomas in his Radial. Roland/Solo crossed in 8^th place about 30 seconds ahead of Chris H/Comet, then it was nearly a minute before Hattie/Laser came along. She was leading a close packed bunch of Jeremy/Laser, Paul H/Supernova and Rick/Laser and they enjoyed a good battle throughout the race. Ed in his Aero was next along closing in on the bunch ahead of him followed by Ron/Mirror.  Aileen/Comet missed the start line and then got tangled with Paul W in his Morbic who was just starting (he does not like to rush things!). Chris & Dave/Sport 14 were keeping well clear at the rear of the fleet. Paul W having started late was finished early, but decide to carry on for another lap anyway.

Lap 2

James C took the lead on this lap with Ralph steady in 4^th place and Roland up three places to 5^th. Alessandro & Matt and Thomas were steady in 8^th and 9^th places, but  Ed was making up for his premature start and was up five places to 9th. Further back Paul H gained a place by passing Jeremy.

Chris & Dave received the hooter as did Paul W for the second time,

Lap 3

No change with the first two, but Ralph had got past Emily to cross in 3^rd place. Karen passed Roland to move up to 5^th. Paul H and Jeremy both got past Chris H to move to 10^th and 11^th positions. Aileen had decided to retire and Ron received the hooter at the end of the lap.

Lap 4

James C crossed the line in 1^st place some five minutes ahead of Mike T in 2^nd place and Ralph in 3^rd. During this last lap Mike and Ralph had exchanged places a number of times prompting a discussion amongst the race team as to whether Ralph had lost weight or Mike had put on weight (next thing – we’ll be having to carry ballast to equalise out the weight differences!)

The only change in position was Ed passing Thomas to move up to 8^th place. Paul H, Jeremy, Chris H, Rick and Hattie maintained the 10^th to 14^th places.

The final order on the water was – 1^st James C; 2^nd Mike T; 3^rd Ralph; 4^th Emily; 5^th Karen; 6^th Roland

On corrected time this becomes – 1^st Emily; 2^nd Mike T; 3^rd Ralph; 4^th Roland; 5^th James C; 6^th Thomas.

Thanks to SOOD Darren Ballard and the race team of Paul, Steve and Terry Hutton. Richard Hobson and Graham Kneebone may also have been on duty but were not recorded on the race sheet, but thanks to them if they were present.