PORT MACQUARIE SAILING CLUB

9-12-18

The 3^rd round of the Port Macquarie Sailing Club’s sprint series was held on Sunday in a very good North Easter. As usual, the first 2 races were run back-to-back from mid-day before a break for lunch in the last of the run-in tide. Due to the strong wind, a number of sailors did not venture out onto the water, and some of the new sailors that did quickly retreated for the shelter of the shore. A number of breakages in these first 2 races left only one boat left fit and willing to sail after lunch, so the last 3 races were cancelled, which may have been a good thing as the conditions became much rougher as the tide turned and ran out.

The catamarans were doing 2 laps of the short sprint course, and in the first race, experienced Arrow cat sailors Frank O’Rourke with young Sam Clifton on Dino led Tony Kuhn on Stella around the course to cross the line 28 seconds ahead on yardstick, while Rob Barwick on Drift badly bent his tiller extension in a capsize at the last mark but still managed to finish. Dino also won on handicap, but Drift’s time was quick enough to get second place by 21 seconds ahead of Stella.

The monohull fleet were doing 1 lap of the course, and the first race saw Steve Bohlsen and Ed Molony in Splash Dance as the only finishers, despite doing some swimming. Simon and Elsa Gandy in Sail Fish had a capsize early due to a broken footstrap and retired, while Jane Cooper in Pineapple and Steve Couch in Rainbow both retired before the start once they experienced the conditions.

The catamarans second race only had the 2 remaining starters, but when Stella broke the centreboard at the start of the 2^nd lap, Frank O’Rourke on Dino, now sailing without a crew, was the only finisher.

The monohulls second race also only had 2 starters, but when Splash Dance was dismasted just before the last mark with a broken shroud fitting, Simon Gandy now with Steve Couch as crew in Sail Fish, was the only finisher.

The strong conditions weren’t a good time to have a try at sailing, and the Club’s safety boat was kept busy outside race times assisting one prospective new member in his refurbished Heron who had problems before the racing, and another in a Laser who had problems after the races.

Next Sunday is the last race for the spring series with an earlier start than usual at 1pm and Jack Corthals is rostered on duty. The club’s Christmas BBQ will be held after the pack up, probably around 4.30pm

Jeff Walsh – Publicity Officer

0418 841581

beetleboyjeff@hotmail.com