Gillette Series 7 – 20th July 2022

Another lovely sunny evening with a 9 mph WSW wind. SOOD Mark set the first mark as 5, then 9, A, and back through the start.

There were 13 starters including young O Wrobel out in his 4.7 joining the racing fleet for the first time. (I think it might have been Oliver but no name on the Declaration Sheet – then again none of the following signed in either – Emily, Cecilia, Alessandro and worst of all Steve & Rick and Newton & Sam – the latter four all veterans who instead of standing on the podium might find themselves on the naughty step!)

First back across the line was Darren/Laser over a minute ahead of Newton & Sam/RS200, but they were only 20 seconds ahead of Ralph in 3rd place. Emily/Radial came through in 4th closely followed by Chris H/and Aileen in their Comets. Steve & Rick/RS200 were 7th well ahead of Paul H/Laser and Sally and Mike T in their Comets. Bringing up the rear of the fleet were Alessandro/Aero, Wrobel/4.7 and Cecilia/Radial.

Lap 2

No change in the leading four, although Ralph was now on Newton & Sam’s transom and Steve & Rick were up to 5th place. Then there was a quartet of Comets with Aileen leading Chris, Mike T and Sally, but Paul H in his Laser was ahead of Sally spoiling the line astern of Comets!.

The 4.7 received the hooter at the end of the lap.

Lap 3

At the finish Darren was clear ahead and Ralph had taken 2nd place from Newton & Sam with Emily still in 4th. Chris H had got his skates on and crossed in 5th place regaining the bragging rights in the Comet battle.

The order on the water was – 1st Darren; 2nd Ralph; 3rd Newton & Sam; 4th Emily; 5th Chris H; 6th Steve & Rick

On corrected time this becomes – 1st Darren/Laser; 2nd Ralph/Laser; 3rd Emily/Radial; 4th Newton & Sam/RS200; 5th Chris H/Comet; 6th Aileen/Comet.

Thanks to SOOD Mark Buckle and the race team of Chris Beresford, Patrick Crowley, Robert Wrobel, Steve Chege and Steve Mann.