Thrilling Conclusion to the Summer Series
Conditions:
The summer series concluded yesterday under challenging conditions, with a force 2-3 north-westerly breeze that veered to the west. The wind, both shifty and gusty as it swept over the land at Sully, created a demanding environment for the sailors. The competition was fierce, particularly in the Laser fleet, where every shift and gust played a pivotal role in the race outcomes.
Race 1: Drama at the Gybe Mark
The first race of the day featured an upwind start, taking the fleet out to Mark 1 before a gybe across to Barry Pin at Mark 2. From there, it was a tense leg back inshore to Mark 3, followed by a final stretch across to the yellow mark to complete the course.
The Lasers delivered the tightest racing of the day. Neil established an early lead, with Jason closely on his tail. The battle between them was intense until a mark room incident at the gybe mark forced Jason into penalty turns. This costly mistake allowed Danny and Robin to slip through. Seizing his chance, Danny caught up with Neil, eventually overtaking him and holding on to his lead to take the first win of the series.
Race 2: A Tactical Masterclass
For the second race, Race Officer Carmel adjusted the course, removing Mark 3, which resulted in a more tactical and challenging upwind leg from Barry Pin to the finish.
Once again, Neil and Jason were at the forefront of the Laser fleet, with Danny not far behind. As they raced across the reach to Barry Pin, the lead changed several times. Danny briefly took the lead but misjudged the tide, striking the mark at Barry Pin. The penalty turns that followed allowed Neil and Jason to pass, with Neil holding on to take the win as the race finished at the end of that leg.
Steve, sailing his RS 700, came close to securing the win on handicap, but Neil’s consistency throughout the day saw him edge out Steve and claim victory.
Conclusion:
It was a thrilling end to the summer series, with the competition setting a high standard for races to come. Neil’s consistent performances across both races earned him the overall win for the series, placing him at the top of the leaderboard. Nigel and Jason also sailed strongly, rounding out the top three.