Port Macquarie Sailing Club's afternoon of Sprint Races 12-16 proved to be a close and competitive event. Starting with the run-out tide and 12 knots of sou'easterly breeze jostling on the start line was intense for each race. 
For the first race, Stuart Symons and Steve Couch in Elmo were in the lead early with Simon Gandy and Esra Mert in Voyager close behind. Terry Howard in Flying Dragon was not far behind followed by Roger Shipton in Zazoo, Rob Barwick in Impulsive, Mitch Dawson in Impetuous, Tony Walker in Deep Purple, and Lucy Bohlsen and Jeff Walsh in Popcorn.
In the catamaran division Tony Kuhn on Stella was the only entrant and was able to bring home the points for all five races in a relaxing afternoon of sailing.
For the second race of the day, Elmo was not well positioned for the start which allowed Voyager to take the win. Warren Sykes in Runamuck joined the fleet and followed Flying Dragon around the first two buoys competing for third place, until heading to the finish line without taking the last mark. Flying Dragon forfeited the race, but Runamuck turned back into the tide to round the last mark, allowing Zazoo to finish third followed by Impulsive, Impetuous, Runamuck, and Deep Purple.
Runamuck pulled out all the stops for the third race crossing the line just in front of Voyager. Flying Dragon followed and then Elmo, Zazoo, Impulsive, Impetuous, and Popcorn. Deep Purple retired for the afternoon.
Voyager also notched up the win in the fourth race of the day, and was followed to the finish line by Flying Dragon, Elmo, Runamuck, Impulsive, Zazoo, Impetuous and Popcorn.
Elmo made another good start for the last race of the day and was pressured around the course by Voyager until the last 10 metres when the forestay swage gave way dropping the mast and blanketing the skipper with the main resulting in a tow back to the beach. Voyager notched up a third win for the day and was followed home by Flying Dragon, Impulsive, Runamuck, Impetuous and Popcorn. Zazoo also retired early and didn't take part in the last race.
Next Sunday will be Summer Series Race 6 starting at 11am followed by the 6th Club Championship Race at 2pm. Jim Kerrison and Deb Stening are rostered on duty. A barbecue lunch will be available in between races.