After a slow start to the sailing season due to the unpredictable weather, the Port MacDonnell Sailing Club was able to once more put boats on the water to continue its sailing season.
Six boats took to the water for races five and six of the season in strong 15-20 knot winds, cloudy weather and rolling seas.
Race officer Nick Watson, assisted by Dennis Illman on the committee boat, set the course for the day. With the winds up it was sure to make for interesting sailing.
With a neat start it was Dave Evans on ‘Farr-mer’ first across the start line and Mack Ferguson’s Austral20 ‘Papillon’ crossed the start line behind them.
One boat had issues before the start of the race and did not start race five.
The fleet kept together fairly well as they travelled the course. Sonata sport ‘Harmony’, with Don McLennan as skipper, was able to make up ground as they sailed to take line honours. Close behind ‘Harmony’ was ‘Farr-mer’ as the second boat across the finish line.
Once more ‘Farr-mer’ got the perfect start to the race as the first boat to start.
Austral20 ‘Windy Fred’, with Tom Paltridge on the helm, had a great start in second position.
All six boats started the race and were sailing well. There was a minor altercation around one marker buoy on the last lap which resulted in a protest. The result of this was the boat at fault was disqualified from the race.
With about 30 seconds separating first and second, it was ‘Farr-mer’ that took line honours with Noelex ‘Sherwin Road’ in second position.
Race 1
1. Harmony (D. McLennan, A. Romescu, R. White) 2. Farr-Mer (D. Evans, D. McMahon, D. Brooksby) 3. Windy Fred (T. Paltridge, D. Brown) 4. Papillon (M. Ferguson, G. McKay, J. Kain) 5. Sherwin Road (D. Carlyle, R. Harding, B. Mann) DNS. Minty (S. Dyble, N. Delissen, D. Radzinski)
Race 2
1. Sherwin Road (D. Carlyle, R. Harding, B. Mann) 2. Windy Fred (T. Paltridge, D.Brown) 3. Farr-mer (D. Evans, D. McMahon, D. Brooksby) 4. Papillon (M. Ferguson, G. McKay, J.Kain) 5. Minty (S. Dyble, N.Delissen, D. Radzinski) DNF. Harmony (D. McLennan, A. Romescu, R. White).