If Andrew (4610) cannot clear John here, he has a quick decision to make: tack or bear away? If he thinks he's on a favoured port tack, he should probably bite the bullet, ease his main and bear away - the next time they meet, the shoe should be on the other foot! If Andrew chooses to tack, he must do so early enough to not foul John or let him sail over his wind. Even a successful tack here will trap Andrew on starboard for some time. Thus Andrew does not want to tack here if he's close to the port lay line.

Al (3854), meanwhile, managed to cross all the starboard threats and has now, like Jamie (4594) and Dave (282) sailed into a port-tack header. Having hoped for just such a header, Al is more than ready to tack, and to thus regain touch with the half-dozen starboard boats he's just finished barely crossing.

Also in fine form are Jamie and Ben (4594) coming in along the starboard layline. They do, however, illustrate here, one of several reasons why it's unwise to get to the lay line too early. A big starboard lift, leaves them with nothing to gain but a little smidgen of speed as they reach in towards the mark. Compare their approach with John's (7351, at right) who has avoided the lay line and is now perfectly placed to make use of his lift (while it lasts). Al (3854) has a different slant and just plods along, waiting for Marc to ...    - for full-size pic, click here

Jamie and Ben are about to round 2nd - and not a moment too soon for John who is just crossing Andrew G (4610) and waiting for Jamie to get off his wind. Meanwhile, it looks like two more tacks for Tony (r) who must be beginning to dislike this mark with a serious passion!