ISO Gala / Travellers - Lee On The Solent SC (June 1999)
23 ISOs rolled up to Lee on Solent SC for the fourth Gul sponsored Multi Gala. With Blazing sunshine and an increasing wind, 1188 Mike Speller and Rob Burridge showed good skills and led from start to finish with 1177 Mick Whitmore and Sarah Smith from Eastbourne Sovereign second from John Caig Sailcraft who were having their own battle with 730 John Payne and Geoff Crease from Brightlingsea SC (BSBS). Race two and again 'Rob Burridge Race Coaching' won through but with Rob Langton and Simon Hadley sailing 921 'One 2 One' second. We won't mention who won the third race but because it's getting tedious now, but yet again second place went to somebody else this being Dave Giles and Richard Chadburn sailing 1186 'BAFRSC'.
Sunday morning and the wind was on the blowy side one might say. But after a slight delay, the majority launched whilst others thought better of it and packed away. A new tactic by Alistair Clarke and Pete Lindley sailing 1013 'Team RWO', on the Saturday night - stay sober! paid off and they duly won the first race with Rob Burridge Race Coaching second for a change! With a broken down rescue boat, the race officer sent everybody in to wait for further info. Rescue boat fixed, everybody launched bar RBRC who had already won the event. A good breeze and a port end flyer by the BA pilot Dave Giles saw the fleet starting the old catch up game. First leeward mark and a trawl by Andy Gould and Vicky Lewis nearly saw a lot of damage by other ISO's. Second beat and One 2 One moved through into the lead. Second leeward mark and the crew aboard RWO fell out the boat. With One 2 One covering BAFRSC all the way up the beat and down the final run, Team RWO now third from last gybed inshore and arrived at the leeward mark in third. One 2 One held BAFRSC till the line to take first place and second overall on count back.
