After a working week of strong winds, a paltry 5-6 knot sou’easter did little to entice Port Macquarie Sailing Club members onto the water on Sunday.

Planned as the first Handicap Start Race of the season, with just three competitors, a regular Spring Series race was held instead.

All three crews made a clean start, but Simon Gandy sailing solo in Voyager soon edged into the lead and extended it throughout the race. Stuart Symons and Chris Lloyd in Elmo followed Voyager around the first lap before Martina Holt in Spellbound was able to pass and maintain second position until the finish line. With the light and changeable conditions, and a reasonably strong tide, strategy played a large part in the result.

Elapsed time, yardstick and handicap results were all identical with Voyager taking the win, Spellbound in second place and Elmo coming in third.

The light conditions also proved ideal for Lucy Bohlsen to have her first solo in Flying Fish. Although she didn’t compete in the day’s race, it won’t be long until she is crossing the finish line in front of her Dad.

Next Sunday will be postponed Handicap start race starting at 1pm. Steve Couch is rostered on duty.