A strong run out tide and little-to-no wind sorely tested the patience of Port Macquarie Sailing Club members on Sunday during Race 3 of the Summer Series. 

A fleet of 15 monohulls and only one catamaran launched into a patchy 5 knots of westerly breeze that petered out at the sound of the starters gun, eventually coming back more sou’westerly. More than 30 minutes of torture was required before the first boat crossed the start line. In fact, some celebrated the feat by crossing multiple times as they fought the tide.

Terry Howard in Flying Dragon demonstrated patience and persistence to finish first by yardstick followed by Roger Shipton in Zazoo, Tony Walker in Deep Purple, Martina Holt in Spellbound, Andrew Richards in Impulsive, Jeff Walsh in Serenity and Stuart Symons and Oliver Houghton in Elmo.

With handicaps applied the results were: Zazoo, Deep Purple, Flying Dragon, Impulsive, Spellbound, Elmo and Serenity.

With only one entrant in the catamaran division, Turbo recorded both wins.

Unfortunately, the list of those with impatience, frustration and DNF results is long: Mitch Dawson in Impetuous, Warren Sykes in Runamuck, Steve and Lucy Bohlsen in Interceptor, Kieran and Andrew Copeland in Big Bang, Simon Gandy and Kate Copeland in Voyager, Drake and Ajay Houghton in Sailfish, Elsa Gandy and Zoe Copeland in Up Beat and Steve Couch in Lazybuoy.

During lunch the wind teased by strengthening to 7 or 8 knots and turning more SSE for the 5^th Club Championship.

A strange vortex of wind hit the fleet in the seconds before the start causing several boats to take evasive action to avoid being on the course side of the start line. Thankfully there was enough room and no carnage, but officials sent Zazoo and Runamuck back to start again. Unfortunately for Runamuck, the restart procedure included breaking the tiller extension, and a quick trip to the beach for a replacement that caused even more delay.

Elmo made the most of the start chaos and eventually crossed the finish line first, but was pushed back down the results by yardsticks. Impetuous must have received some good tips over lunch and performed well during the afternoon race.

Spellbound revelled in the lighter conditions to take the yardstick win followed by Serenity, Runamuck, Flying Dragon, Zazoo, Lazybuoy, Impetuous, Elmo and Voyager now with Mick Bullock as skipper and Simon Gandy up front.

With handicaps, there were some shifts: Spellbound, Serenity, Flying Dragon, Zazoo, Elmo, Lazybuoy, Impetuous, Runamuck, and Voyager.

There were no takers in the catamaran division for the afternoon race.

Next week will be Summer Season Race 4 starting at 2pm. Andrew Richards is rostered on duty.

Steve Couch – Publicity Officer

0417 667 879

publicityofficerpmsc@gmail.com