In a weekend of predicted rain, the clouds provided a break on Sunday afternoon for Port Macquarie Saling Club’s first Handicap Start Race of the season. 
The staggered start caused much confusion for competitors who have not sailed in a handicap start for some time. Several crews were recalled as uncertainty reigned.
In the catamaran division, Scott Witchard on Hummer was off first and had almost reached the top mark as Tony Kuhn on Stella started. Jack Corthals on Crackerjack was the scratch boat starting last. Towards the end of the second lap, Crackerjack was nipping at the heels of Stella, but a centreboard problem in the third lap sent Crackerjack back to the beach withdrawing from the race. Stella snuck past Hummer, and with the easterly wind dropping from its 12-14 knots peak, the last lap was shortened for the cats denying Hummer the chance to return to the lead before the finish line.
In the monohull division, Warren Sykes in Runamuck was the scratch boat, but before the end of the second lap Runamuck was in the lead. Steve and Lucy Bohlsen in Interceptor kept the pressure on Runamuck throughout the rest of the race, even with an unintended gybe resulting in Lucy being stuck on the shoulder by the boom. Stuart Symons sailing solo in Elmo also tussled with Interceptor and in the last leg to the finish line was able to get in front for second place. Also applying some great tactics in the last leg, Terry Howard in Flying Dragon was also able to slip in front of Interceptor before the finish line. Jeff Walsh in Serenity, while never far from the action, didn’t seem to get an even break coming in fifth.
Next week will be Sprint Races 6-10 starting 12 noon Warren Sykes is rostered on duty.