As the boats rigged and made ready to launch there was a F2-3 NE wind which would have made for a pleasant evenings sailing. However, for each race the wind would decrease.
The boats launched two by two, two Lasers, two Solutions and two Vareos with only Phil, sailing his Phantom sailing solo!
There was just enough wind in race one to allow helms to sit comfortably on the gunwales. Phil worked his way into the lead and had a one minute lead on Richard B and Don, sailing the two Solutions who rounded the leeward gate together with Richard F in his Vareo just behind. Phil maintained his lead to the finish, Richard B and Don continued neck and neck to the finish crossing the line together to take equal first on corrected time and Richard F third.
The wind was around F1 at the start of race two. Richard B sailed his Solution into a big lead at the windward mark and with the wind very light the race was finished after one lap. Several minutes later Chris, sailing his Laser crossed the line, seconds ahead of Don. These three taking the top three places on corrected time.
As discussions on whether to sail back ashore commenced the wind picked up a tad so it was decided to have one more race. Richard B and Don were leading the fleet at the windward mark. On the run back the wind began to shift to the East. On the second lap Richard B pulled clear ahead and Phil almost catching Don at the finish. By this time the wind was very light, mainly from the East but at times from the SE.
It was a clearly a good night for the Team Solution, winning all three races. Not so good for the Vareo’s with barely enough wind to keep their spinnakers flying. Michael was probably regretting the choice of Radial rig for the Laser, the 8.1 rig may have been better!
Results are on the club site http://www.gygsc.org.uk/Results/2023/2023Thursday.htm
Pictures are on Flick https://www.flickr.com/photos/gygsc/albums