After a rainy start to the weekend, the clouds parted, but the wind really didn't want to play the game for Port Macquarie Sailing Club on Sunday.
A patchy 6 or 7 knots was undecided between sou'west to sou'east throughout the day. Starting at the top of a large run-out tide Race 3 of the Summer Series, postponed from several weeks earlier, was the first event of the day. There was some confusion at the start caused by the computerised start system, and what little wind there was seemed to drop away until the shortened course flag made an appearance and the wind took it's cue to return.
Simon Gandy and Riley O'Brien made the best of the light conditions in Up Beat to cross the line first in front of Stuart Symons and Esra Mert in Elmo, Jeff Walsh in Serenity, Terry Howard in Flying Dragon, and Tony Walker in Deep Purple. Today's results are on elapsed time only. Yardstick and handicap results will be posted to the Club's Facebook page when available.
In the catamaran division, Frank O'Rourke on Zero was back from competing at Harwood, and took the win ahead of Dave Winter on Spica.
Competing in their first official race without an adult crew member, juniors Lucy Bohlsen and Matilda O'Brien needed a little help to get to the start line, but got into the swing of things for a lap of the course despite the laughing and entertainment that appeared onboard.
During lunch the wind became a little more consistent and a longer course was set for Race 5 of the Summer Series.
Tony Kuhn on Stella gave himself a good 5 minute penalty delaying on the beach before launching and giving Zero plenty of lead. Zero, with it's own built-in wind generator, made it home first followed by Stella. As the wind dropped off, Spica demonstrated the patience of Job to make the finish line against the tide.
In the monohull division, Simon Gandy, now sailing solo, finished first ahead of Elmo, Flying Dragon, Serenity, Impulsive and Interceptor.
Next week will be the Summer Marathon, starting 12 noon. Jim Kerrison and Deb Stening and Roger Shipton are rostered on duty.
