Yesterday 16 DAC Sailors came along for an outstanding day of Handicap racing.

The weather was overcast with a Southerly which ranged from 13 to 35 Km/Hr., (7 to 18 Knots), and 16^oC.

The tide was low but rising, which controls our course setup somewhat.

There was a mix of B and C sails with C in the majority towards the end of racing.

The score sheet described the days racing perfectly. None of the top 3 boats scored a win and they shared only 5 places between them.

Wins and places went to the bottom of the page. The spread of points was the closest ever recorded at the Club, 30 points for 16 boats.

Starting Handicaps ranged from scratch out to 75 seconds which was similar by the end of the day.

Firstly, a big thank you to all for the day’s success.

Scoring can be quite difficult with many boats finishing within seconds of each other. Deciding who came where was resolved each time with constructive input and no frowns. Everyone helped and with great efficiency, we completed 10 races in good time.

Normally at the end of racing, the day’s winner can appear to be between 3 or 4 boats, not yesterday though.

Then comes the scoring.

Robin Tickner quietly set about his racing with great consistency to win the day with a score of 40 points. Robin only had a 3^rd place in race 2 but most other finishes were between 4^th and 6^th over the line, good enough for a clear win. Peter Burton started off a 75 second Handicap, ages after the Fleet had set off. Peter scored 2 second places for 47 points and number 2 spot on the podium. Graham Brown also scored two 2^nd places, just 1 point behind to come home third.

With only 1 or 2 points between all the remaining boats, including 2 countbacks, Phil Stevenson was the first to win a race for fourth place on the day.

As I mentioned last week, only 1 or 2 positions in a race can decide so many different places in the final washup.

Race winners were Phil Stevenson 1, Stephen Deane 1, Paula Reilly 1, Geoff Lucas 2, Trevor Bowden 2, John Porter 1, Lew Verdon 1 and Brian Chapman 1.

Robin Tickner took the honours for the day to win 1st place on 40 points.

Peter Burton finished in 2nd place on 47 points.

Graham Brown finished in 3rd place with 48 points.

The Club Championship now has Graham Brown in front from Phil Stevenson and Martin Thearle.

Our next Sail day is Thursday 14^th August for a Scratch Event.

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