STRONG winds and interesting tides made the last sail of this year for the Port MacDonnell Sailing Club a challenge.
The raced start was delayed as all boats were having issues launching at the ramp.
Eventually the boats were able to launch and meet race officer Dave Evans and rescue boat driver Peter Douglas on the water to start the first race.
Sabre Billy, with Nick Watson as skipper, left the beach to head to the start line but unfortunately the boat filled with water due to the sea conditions and had to retire before beginning the race.
The conditions also hampered Austral20 Papillion’s start, as they tore the jib and had to change to a smaller one before race start.
The first boat across the start line was Tom Paltridge’s Austral20 Windy Fred, followed by fellow Austral20 Salt Peter with Robin White as skipper.
The strong winds blew the boats around the course quickly and with minimal drama during the race.
The fleet comprised of mainly Austral20s, but they were no match for the only other boat class on the course.
Sandrine with Chris Lynch at the helm achieved line honours for the race, with Dennis Illman on Austral20 Mirage second across the finish line.
For the safety of all sailors the second race was called off.
Salt Peter’s luck ended with the race, as they lost their motor overboard and then very nearly lost one of their crew members into the water as well.
They sailed in to the boat ramp under the power of sail and then later with the assistance of the rescue boat, before nearly hitting the wall when the tiller snapped.
The Christmas dinner at the club was a welcome end to such an exiting and dramatic day, allowing both sailing and social members of the club to catch up and discuss the first half of the season.
Sailing will resume at Port MacDonnell at the start of February.
Race Results: Mirage (D. Illman); Sandrine (C. Lynch); Minty (S. Dyble); Papillion (M. Ferguson); Windy Fred (T. Paltridge); Salt Peter (R. White); DNS – Billy (N. Watson).
