submitted
LIGHT winds, warm weather and flat seas created perfect conditions for the Port MacDonnell Sailing Club’s annual Coastal Classic on Saturday.
The single longer race replaced the usual two short races scheduled on race day, with eight boats taking to the water to compete.
The Coastal Classic is a stern chaser event, which has each boat start at a different time based off its handicap.
That ensured a close finish as Austral20 Windy Fred, skippered by Tom Paltridge, claimed the annual honours on the day, closely followed by Robin White on Austral20 Salt Peter.
Race officer Nick Watson and rescue boat operator Chris Jacobs set the course for the event.
The start line was a gate placed in the waters off the front of the club house, with the next mark about three nautical miles from the line and two nautical miles off the shore.
Once the boats rounded the mark they sailed into Race Course Bay and then back out to the previous mark, before sailing all the way back to Port MacDonnell and the finish line.
Court 650 Pinky, skippered by Jen Jones, was the first boat to start the race at 11.22am and the last boat was Austral20 Papillon with Mack Ferguson at the helm who set off at midday.
Swinging wind direction and varying wind speeds created a challenge for all skippers.
The later starting boats had a slight advantage as they were able to watch the boats in front and change their course accordingly.
The distance between the boats in the fleet closed as they approached the second mark and the Australs outpaced the Court650 on the leg heading back to Port MacDonnell.
Paltridge was able to find and hold the lead and claim the win from White in a close finish.
RESULTS
Windy Fred (T. Paltridge) 1; Salt Peter (R. White) 2; Mirage (D.Illman) 3; Harmony (D. McLennan) 4; Papillon (M. Ferguson) 5; Farr mer (D. Evans) 6; Pinky (J. Jones) 7; Minty (S. Dyble) DNF.
