A nice 15 knot breeze, with the odd gust closer to 20, provided exciting conditions for both sailors and spectators on Sunday for Race 3 of Port Macquarie Sailing Club’s Spring program. The usual course for a north-easter was set as the tide turned to run out, promising a little chop as the tide gained momentum but none of the frustration of last week.

In the monohull division, Rohan Nosworthy had the yardstick win on Beat It followed by Jim Kerrison and Deb on Death Defying, Warren Sykes on Runa Muck, Roger Shipton on Zazoo, Grady, Angus and Liz McNee on Better than Ballet. Steve Bohlsen and Simon Gandy came in next on Interceptor despite getting plenty of practice in capsize recovery. Stuart Symons and Adam Pilcher on Elmo and Geoff Williams on Wally also completed the course. Martina Holt on Spellbound failed to finish. Handicap results also saw Beat It in front of Runa Muck, Spellbound, Elmo, Interceptor, Death Defying, Wally, Zazoo and Better than Ballet.

The catamaran fleet revelled in the conditions with photographer of the day, Jane Cooper, capturing some great shots of the action. First across the line was Frank O’Rourke on Dino followed by Jack Corthals on Harpic, and Dion Carle on Scaramouche. Making it easy for the report, the handicap results were the same.

Charlie Nosworthy on Vitamin C was the only junior sailor to tackle the conditions and deserved the win on both yardstick and handicap.

Next Sunday will be the first race of the Handicap Series starting at 12.30pm. Simon Gandy is rostered on duty.

With COVID-19 keeping us from doing the things we love, the club committee has been busy cleaning out the clubhouse where they found and dusted off the Mud Cup. The trophy is the glorious prize in a friendly two-race stouch between Queens Lake and Port Macquarie Sailing Clubs that has not been held for many years. After some discussions, the gauntlet has been thrown down for all members of the two clubs to contest the event again. First race will be on Saturday October 24^th at Queens Lake, followed by the second at Port Macquarie on Sunday October 25^th. Add it to your diary for the honour of your club!