Another breezy day with winds tipped to increase during the afternoon caused some sailors to reconsider their plans for the first five races in the Port Macquarie Sailing Club's Sprint Series on Sunday. The first race started with 12-15 knots nor'easter and the start of the run-out tide. Two one-lap races and a longer two-lap race was held before a short lunch break. Only the catamaran sailors continued for the last two races after the break as the conditions had increased to almost 20 knots with gusts in the range of 25-26 knots.
Note that this week's results are reported "across the line", and do not take into consideration the boat yardsticks or skipper handicaps.
Race 1 for the catamarans saw Frank O'Rourke on Dino, led the way followed by Jack Corthals on Harpic, and Rob Barwick on Drift. Tony Kuhn on Stella failed to finish.
In the monohull division, Roger Shipton on Zazoo was first across the line followed by Warren Sykes on Runamuck, and visitor Dirk C. on his Laser. Simon Gandy came in fourth with crew Andrew and Zoe Copeland on Voyager. Martina Holt on Spellbound failed to finish.
In race 2, Dino crossed first followed by Harpic, Stella and Drift. Runamuck lead the monohulls home followed by Zazoo, Dirk C, Voyager and Jim and Deb Kerrison who joined late on Death Defying.
Race 3 for the cats was also led by Dino, followed by Stella, Harpic and Drift. In the monohull division, Death Defying led the way, followed by Runamuck and Voyager, now with Kieran instead of Zoe as crew. As the conditions started getting more difficult, Dirk C. and Zazoo failed to finish, the latter suffering a broken rudder downhaul line.
After the lunch break, several sailors decided to become spectators as the conditions looked to provide some spectacular sailing for the last races of the day.
In race 4 a centreboard problem saw Dino miss out on a clean sweep. Stella crossed the line first followed by Dino and then Harpic.
For race 5, Dino defeated Harpic. Stella did not finish.
Sunday will be Race 2 of the Handicap Series. Jeff Walsh is rostered on duty.
