YACHTS returned to the water at Port MacDonnell on the weekend, with the running of the Western Victoria Regatta.
After a wet start, the course was set by race officer Brad Mann, with Chris Jacobs on the rescue boat, assisted by Nick Watson and Damian McMahon in a rigid inflatable.
A typical triangle-loop-triangle course was set for all races on the Saturday.
A mix of off-the-beach and trailable boats nominated for the regatta, with six visitors and five boats from the Port MacDonnell Sailing Club.
There was a mix of classes but as all boats were monohulls, they started the race at the same time.
The fleet spread out over the course of the race, with the winds picking up as it progressed.
Miki Moto, with Sharon Holmes and Peter Douglas on board, along with Rod Barker and Darryl Ralph on Cop You Later both capsized due to the conditions.
Miki Moto subsequently withdrew before they were able to complete race one.
Line honours went Cop You Later.
The second race started in 10 knots winds, with gusts up to 13 and 14 knots.
Only eight boats started the second race, with Miki Moto, Billy and Blue Moon electing not to race.
The fleet spread out and the boats continued to maintain space as they went around the marks.
The first to complete the second race was Cop You Later, followed Mick Wright and Lou Hollis on Smeg.
The third and last, race of the day started in conditions much the same as the second.
Again, eight boats started and it was a case of trying to complete the race before the threatening grey clouds rolled in over the waters where the boats were racing.
Due to the imminent weather, the race officer chose to shorten the course, which limited the skippers’ chances to spread out and it gave the time keepers a challenge when it came to taking the final race times.
Unfortunately, the rain came before final leg of the race could be completed.
Once more Cop You Later was the first boat across the finishing line.
The second day of racing was called off, with the strong winds and heavy rain making it unsafe on the water.
