Light and variable winds on Sunday meant that Port Macquarie Sailing Club members had to have or quickly learn patience to complete the Harold Dick Marathon.

Thankfully, a reduced marathon course was planned, but the forecast northerly was light and patchy with several swings between NNW to NNE causing several long periods of drifting and frustration.

The end of the outgoing tide made the start tough for Andrew Copeland and Simon Gandy in Big Bang and Elsa Gandy and Zoe Copeland in Up Beat, who were not able to get to the right side of the start line. Steve Couch in Lazybuoy jumped the gun and was sent back to start again and also struggled against the tide to reach the line. As the rest of the fleet was nearing Settlement Point, the club Commodore made the executive decision to start the stragglers so the safety boat could keep everyone in sight.

With the tide assisting and wind dropping in and out, things evened out with the fleet reaching the first mark, placed near the jet ski area, within easy reach of each other. After turning back up river, the wind totally died and all competitors struggled to keep out of the current to avoid drifting backwards.

After an interminably long time, some forward motion could be gained, with the lighter and more skilled crews easing their way back around Settlement Point and up towards Hibbard Ferry to the second buoy. At this point, frustration became too much for Warren Sykes in Runamuck and Mitch Dawson in Impetuous who headed back to the beach and did not finish.

The breeze increased a couple of knots for the second leg to Settlement Point and back to Hibbard before the finish line. The tail end of the fleet was lucky to make it back to the beach before the wind packed it in for the day.

Congratulations go to Tony Kuhn on Stella who takes home the trophy.

In the catamaran division, the only other competitor was Dave Winter on Spica, who claims it will be his last marathon, but all other club members agree that they will see Dave back on the water again in September when the next sailing season starts!

Second across the line and in first place for monohulls by yardstick was Terry Howard in Flying Dragon who put in an impressive performance given the tough conditions. After Flying Dragon, on yardstick were the rest of the Impulse fleet with Rob Barwick in Impulsive, Martina Holt in Spellbound, and Jeff Walsh in Serenity. Roger Shipton in Zazoo was next followed by Lazybuoy, Paul Robertson and Kate Copeland in Flembouyant, Stuart Symons sailing solo in Elmo, Steve Bohlsen also solo in Interceptor, Up Beat, and Elmo.

Next week will be Handicap Start Race 8 starting at 10:30am and 7^th Club Championship starting at 1pm. A barbecue lunch will be available in between races. Scott Witchard is rostered on duty.

If any lucky members still have trophies, please return them to the clubhouse.