Another Sunday with light conditions greeted Port Macquarie Sailing Club members for the 5th Handicap Start race of the season. Starting with a strong run-out tide, there was some discussion about the consequences if the wind should die out during the afternoon.
However, early starters were graced with a good steady breeze for the first lap that, together with the handicappers assistance, set them up to lead the entire race. The middle of the fleet was a much more competitive with a close finish for many.
In the catamaran division Dave Winter on Spica sailed well in the tricky conditions to finish just ahead of Tony Kuhn on Stella.
Tony Walker in Deep Purple was just a purple blur in the distance keeping well ahead of the monohull fleet.
Simon Gandy sailing solo in Up Beat cut through the fleet to finish second despite a moment of excitement when the main sheet tangled around the tiller at the second last mark with several other crews also bearing down on the mark.
Martina Holt in Spellbound just managed to hold off Terry Howard in Flying Dragon in a close finish. Steve Couch in Laybuoy was next across the line followed by Roger Shipton in Zazoo and Warren Sykes in Runamuck. Steve Bohlsen had to swim after Interceptor, that sailed away with it's mast parallel to the water refusing to fully capsize or permit the skipper to re-board. Eventually, command was regained and the race completed.
Next Sunday will feature two races: Summer Season Race 6 starting 11am followed by Club Championship Race 6 starting at 2pm. A barbecue lunch will be available in between races.
