The Port MacDonnell Sailing club hosted its last race of the season on Saturday.
Sailors were met with cloudless skies, gentle 7-19 knot winds and flat seas which made for perfect conditions for the final sail of what has been a variable season.
The conditions meant that finally the club had ideal wind conditions to sail the annual Discovery Bay Coastal Classic race.
It was held as a stern chaser long race, where each boat starts at a different time with the intention of all boats crossing the finish line at the same time.
The start line of the race was in the waters in front of the club house, with the boats then sailing down to Racecourse Bay, going into the bay and then returning to the front of the club house.
Steve Dyble’s Austral 20 Minty was the first boat to start the race at 11.46am and Sonata Sport Harmony, skippered by Don McLennan, was the last boat nearly 35 minutes later.
Nick Watson and Max Schleuniger on the committee boat followed the fleet as it made its way along the coastline.
Harmony and Noelex Sandrine, with Chris Lynch at the helm, tussled throughout the entire race, constantly swapping positions as they sailed.
On the return leg, the fleet closed up, with Austral20 Papillon, skippered by Mack Ferguson, in the lead as they returned to Port MacDonnell.
It was an impressive sight from shore as the boats came in, with the last three boats flying their colourful spinnakers on the return leg as they headed towards the finishing line.
With many spectators watching on from the club house, Papillon was the first boat to finish and the oldest boat on the water with the oldest skipper and oldest crew aboard.
The Austral made good time, having started in the middle of the fleet and overtaking some of the faster boats.
After sailing was a dinner held in the club house to celebrate the end of the season, with an enjoyable night in good company celebrated by all.
Presentation night for the club will be held on May 17 at the Victoria Hotel.
Race Results: Papillon (M. Ferguson, J. Kain, G. McKay) 2. Farr-Mer (D. Evans, D. McMahon, D. Brooksby) 3. Harmony (D. McLennan, C. Mlakar, S. Holmes) 4. Sandrine (C. Lynch, L. Van Uitert, D. Bryson) 5. Minty (S. Dyble, J. Jones, D. Howard).
