A run of showers and wind squalls continued on Sunday, but the conditions could not deter a hardy group of Port Macquarie Sailing Club members from Sprint Races 16-20.

The first race started just before high tide with 8-10 knots from the south that was punctuated with bullets double that strength and sudden holes with nothing at all. Conditions were set for spectators to see capsizes to both windward and leeward!

Simon and Elsa Gandy in Up Beat and Jeff Walsh in Serenity were first across the line in a dead heat. Warren Sykes in Runamuck was not far behind. Stuart Symons and Steve Couch in Elmo crossed the line next – together with half a boat full of water picked up in a “moment of excitement”. Steve and Lucy Bohlsen in Interceptor were next followed by Martina Holt in Spellbound and Mitchell Dawson in Impetuous.

In the catamaran division Frank O’Rourke on Turbo finished in front of Tony Kuhn on Stella.

For the second race, Spellbound and Interceptor had had enough of the punishment. Up Beat continued the winning form followed by Runamuck, Elmo (still half full of water), Serenity and Impetuous much closer this time.

Race 2 for the catamaran division was a repeat of race 1. The cats were also able to sneak in a 3^rd race before lunch, but Stella didn’t start leaving Turbo to take the win.

During lunch a rain shower sucked out the wind and while the start flag was hanging down like a wet tea towel, there was debate on the merits of the remaining races.

Eventually, race 3 for the monohulls was started as the aforementioned gusty conditions resumed. Runamuck got the measure of Up Beat this time followed by Elmo, Serenity and Impetuous in another close race.

Up Beat returned to the front for race 4 with Runamuck again a close second, Elmo and Serenity traded places a few times with Elmo eventually in front at the finish line. Impetuous, again closer. There were no more catamaran races for the day.

The last race was for 2 laps instead of 1. Up Beat got into trouble with the skipper taking a swim, while the crew stayed dry stepping over the side. Serenity, close behind, nearly suffered the same fate, but recovered masterfully. At the finish line, Runamuck took advantage of Up Beat’s misfortune, but Up Beat was able to claw back 2^nd place from Elmo just before the line. Next were Serenity and Impetuous.

Next week will be Race 3 of the summer season starting at 11am followed by the 5^th Club Championship at 2pm. A BBQ will be available in between races. Dave Winter is rostered on duty.