A fresh nor'easter with a run-in tide brought smiles to Port Macquarie Sailing Club members for the start of the 4th Handicap Start Race of the season. But, as race progressed, winds increased with gusts into the low 20 knot range causing some damage and withdrawals.
Back in town after their second placing in the MG14 National Championships, Jim Kerrison and Deb Stening in Death Defying Too put on a fantastic show for spectators. Despite, as the scratch boat, giving up to 20 minutes head start, Death Defying Too was still first across the line at the end of the race.
Steve and Lucy Bohlsen in Interceptor also had a great outing until 10 metres from the finish line when the trapeze harness came adrift allowing Paul Robertson and Warren Sykes in Flembouyant to sneak past and cross the line 2 seconds ahead. For Flembouyant, getting to the finish line was an achievement due to a broken a jib car, and having to hold the sheet by hand when on that tack.
It was also good to see Mitch Dawson back in Impetuous after a long paternity break. Impetuous sailed well to complete the race in fourth position.
Jeff Walsh in Serenity and Roger Shipton in Zazoo ran a competitive race, with Zazoo pulling ahead in the last lap to finish in front of Serenity.
Simon and Elsa Gandy in Up Beat suffered a broken mast during a capsize and limped back to shore. Terry Howard in Flying Dragon and Steve Couch in Lazybuoy also withdrew before the completing the race.
In the catamaran division, Jack Corthals on Crackerjack ran a lonely race to collect the points, but the strong conditions kept things interesting for an entertaining afternoon.
Note that there is a change in the program. Next Sunday will be Sprint races 12-16 with the first race starting at 12 noon. Steve Bohlsen is rostered on duty.
