Port Macquarie Sailing Club members were hoping for a little more wind for the first of two races on Sunday. While a good nor’easter was forecast for the afternoon race, a patchy 5-7 knot ENE proved to be just enough for competitors to complete the course in the strengthening out-going tide.
Spectators were treated to some very competitive racing with most of the fleet within close reach of each other. At times a little too close with several boats coming together at one mark, but with no injury, damage, or shouting, everyone continued.
In the first event, Handicap Start Race 6, Simon Gandy and Kieran Copeland in Voyager won the monohull division. Martina Holt in Spellbound crossed next, followed by Elsa Gandy and Zoe Copeland in Up Beat, Steve Couch in Lazybuoy, Andrew and Kate Copeland in Big Bang, Jeff Walsh in Serenity, and Steve and Lucy Bohlsen in Interceptor.
In the catamaran division, Frank O’Rourke on Turbo took the win in front of Gary Smith on Infusion, Jack Corthals on Crackerjack and Dave Winter on Spica.
During lunch, the promised wind increased to 12 to 15 knots for some great sailing in the 5th Club Championship, with the only drawbacks being some swell stirred up by the tide opposing the wind, and the decreasing water level that resulted in several crews finding exactly where the mud flats are located.
In the catamaran division Turbo backed up for a second win of the day. Both Infusion and Crackerjack found the mud, but an unfortunate capsize pushed Infusion back to third place followed by Spica. With handicaps applied, the results are identical.
Warren Sykes in Runamuck, revelled in the conditions to finish first on yardstick followed by Serenity, Lazybuoy, Roger Shipton in Zazoo, Voyager, now with Sarah as crew, Up Beat, Interceptor and Big Bang now with Kieran as crew. Spellbound did not finish. Handicaps shook up the monohull results with Lazybuoy taking first place followed by Big Bang, Interceptor, Runamuck, Serenity, Zazoo, Voyager, and Up Beat.
Next Sunday’s race is Summer Series Race 5 starting 2pm. Steve Couch is rostered on duty.
