3 May 2010
By Peter Campbell
It took the leading yachts in the RSYS Winter Series race on Saturday one and a half hours to sail the first three-quarters of a nautical mile from the start to the windward mark.
Such was the weather that heralded the opening race in the Squadron Winter Series as the fleet of 25 boats drifted this way and that way, occasionally getting a whisper of wind to head them in the direction of that elusive first mark.
Eventually, they all got there, where race officials shortened the course and all but a few boats actually finished the race, although the margins were distant between first and last in the three divisions.
In each division, the line honours winner also took out first place on handicap as they crept around the course.
Division 1 handicap honours went to Matrix, helmed by Andrew Parkes, from Tony Coleman’s Euphoria an Rod Willis’ Great Xpectations after they finished in that order across the line. IRC results saw Euphoria first, Great Xpectation second and Hell Razor (Ian MacDiarmid) third.
Former Commodore and Squadron Life Member Norman Longworth is known for his knowledge of the lifts and eddies on Sydney Harbour and he produced his skills again in steering Aurelia II to a line and handicap win in Division 2.
Aurelia II won from Kupa Gila (John Anstey) and Kerstin II (John Bowman, Ken Chase & John Goldie).
The Non Spinnaker division also produced an overall win for Crackajack (Chris Harper & Dennis Galvin), taking honours of another past Commodore Jim Dunstan, helming Zeus II. Third place went to Caroline la Douce (Peter Jones and Graeme Smith).
Squadron member Guy Stening scored a fine win with his Melges 32 Optimum in the CYCA Winter Series, beating a fleet of larger yachts in Division B.
From Peter Campbell
M: 0419 385 028 E: peter_campbell@bigpond.com
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