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A heatwave ashore and a cool sea breeze on the water brought out a strong fleet of twenty-two boats to race in the FSC inshore race last Saturday. The breeze filled in during the race, increasing from ten knots at the start to fifteen knots during the race. The racing was close with only one second separating several boats both on the water and after the handicaps were applied. Sailors enjoyed the chance to shed wet weather gear and spinnakers were popular.
Six boats raced in Division One with Graham Martin’s Sand Crab’s Disco scooping the pool to take first on both Performance and IRC handicaps, despite having left their best spinnaker at home and having to fossick for one to fly. Paul Huhtala’s Gumboot IV was second on Performance and Eric Gath’s Stimulus Package was second on IRC handicap. John Palmer and Jaye Martin’s Witchy Woman was third on both handicaps and fastest boat on the water.
Division two fielded a strong fleet of ten boats, despite the absence of Minke and Venustus both of which are sidelined for repairs after last week’s collision. Welcome back to Richard Webster in Freddie Fudpucker and Mark Robertshaw in the Etchell Two Goats, both sailing in their first race for this season – we look forward to seeing them both again! It was great to see another Etchell out as competition for Majhong. Michael Thorpe’s Soon took first on both IRC and Performance handicaps. Brian Cooper’s Valkyr was second by one second on Performance Handicap with Peter Williams’ Pipedream III third – despite finishing one second ahead on the water after duelling with Valkyr all race. Ernie Delfos’s Windswept was second in the depleted, three boat, IRC fleet ahead of George Carter’s Eufarria. Soon was fastest on IRC and Bob Von Felten’s Ristretto was fastest on Performance Handicap, just nine seconds ahead of Kim Klaka’s Panache II.
Six boats raced in JAM division with Myra Stanbury’s Sami taking first on Performance Handicap just one second ahead of Steve Kerr’s Polaris. Franco Pieri’s Medusa was third on handicap with Ole Otness’s The Longboat fastest.
Pennants were presented in the Sailors’ Bar by Inshore Captain Brian Cooper. Thanks as always to our Race Control Crew on Success. Full results are also available on www.sportspage.com.au. Chris Bender was away this week so there are no additional photos taken from Success.
Don’t forget that next Saturday’s Australia Day Race is a morning race starting at 10:20 am.
Race report and photos by Frances Hammond
