... a slim lead over Al (3854). The changed course will have us sailing more diagonally across the river to the leeward mark which has been perfectly placed to give us a run straight downwind. Marc and Al have already discussed strategy for the run, and it's the usual: defend the left side of the run with an ultimate view towards buoy room rights. Though if we can't pass KGB (648) who won't be spinnakering, we'll have no one but ourselves to blame!!

... Frank (partially visible behind the 4594 jib) and Al (obscured by Jamie's main). John (7351), no doubt remembering the last run which was pretty much straight down the river, sails too high at first, which not only wastes distance but also makes the spi set tougher for Dolores. Meanwhile, Jamie and Ben are set to round a fine 4th - this increased breeze being more to their liking.
A Rules question: If Frank and Bill (r) end up on a collision course, who needs to keep clear? Answer: Bill is on port tack while Frank is on starboard. Thus, Bill needs to keep clear.

As Jamie and Ben (4594) do their windward hoist - made easiest by sailing straight downwind - Sue (4677) is about to round 5th ahead of Dave (282) who has dropped three boats on this shift-filled beat. Al (red spi), meanwhile, has his left-side attacking position against (the invisible and spinnaker-less) Frank.   - for full-size pic, click here

Another Rules question: Which of 4594 and 4610 needed to keep clear here? Answer: Both are on port tack. If two boats meet like this on the same tack, the closehauled boat is always leeward and thus has right of way. Meanwhile, Jason and Lori (3140) are all spinnaker-ready and about to round a respectable 7th. But the real action is at the mark where doing a U-turn has not surprisingly slowed W4677 right down, leaving Dave (282) who is gambling on having enough room ...  - for full-size pic, click here

Andrew, being inside boat, got to gybe first. In Colin's place, I might have been tempted to hold starboard around the mark and thus to get some separation from Andrew. It's a dead run to the leeward mark, so starting off on a starboard run and doing a leeward spi hoist would not be likely to cost too much. Being well clear of Andrew, Colin would get the chance to relax, look around for better wind, etc. He could then gybe to port pretty much whenever the spirit moved him. The one drawback of going right on the run is that when you gybe back towards the left, the boats you meet coming from the other side are usually on starboard. But in this case, the only boat Colin should meet is Andrew, and at worst he should have to luff up to cross Andrew's transom - more or less in the position he's in now, except that then he'd have the much-to-be-desired left side which could lead to buoy room at the leeward mark.

Aha! Andrew and Colleen have their spinnaker up and going. Up ahead, Jason and Lori work to try and pass Sue and Steph. But it will be Andrew and Colleen who do the passing. In the short time between now and the finish, Andrew will grab 7th ahead of Jason. And the Pinaults, Paul and Marilyn, will hold the fine 9th they had at the windward mark.