Sailing: Ideal weather conditions make for tight races

IDEAL CONDITIONS: A stiff breeze created ideal conditions for sailors in the Port MacDonnell Sailing Club’s latest round of competition on the weekend.

IDEAL weather with a moderate westerly breeze of approximately 13 knots greeted sailors on Saturday at the Port MacDonnell Sailing Club for the weekly races.

Officer of the day Morris Dickins set a traditional course, with a some variation to take advantage of the westerly breeze on the bay.

Time keepers on the day Jen Ferguson assisting Jen Jones for her first time at the clock instead of on the boat where kept busy with again some close racing.

Seven boats headed out on the water for the two races.

Race one was hotly contested at the start line.

Salt Peter, skippered by Robin White with Sharon White and Neville Stone was first over, followed by Sandrine, skippered Chris Lynch with David Bryson and Craig Smith heading the fleet to the first mark.

Race one honours on club handicap went to Mirage, skippered by Dennis Illman with Tom Paltridge and Lu-Wei Spinks.

Class basic handicap in fist position I Was Once, skippered by Greg Graham, ahead of Papillon, skippered by Mack Ferguson with Dave Jones and Jason Beuerige, with Salt Peter rounding out the placings.

It was another tight start to race two, with at least three boats jumping the starters gun, causing a general recall.

Once again under starters orders Salt Peter was over the line first, followed closely by Sandrine.

A close hall to the first buoy by all the boats before starting to spread out down the next leg of the course was a great site and evident of the close racing that has been the standard for this season.

On class basic handicap I Was Once claimed the honours, ahead of Papillon and Sandrine.

The two races was the start of the Austral club series, giving Papillon the lead, with the remainder of the series to conclude this weekend.

Racing again will commence at 1pm tomorrow with, scheduled race officer Peter Douglas on the committee boat.

The Port MacDonnell sailing clubhouse will be open from 10.30am.