Fourteen DAC Sailors attended our Scratch racing yesterday.

The conditions were not our favourite with yet another Sou’Sou’Easterly. The wind speed was 13 to 17 Km/Hr with gusts to 32, (7 to 9 Knots, gusts to 17).

Apart from the wind which had many lulls, it was a nice day with a patchy overcast and a pleasant 25^oC.

We chose B sails at the beginning with C’s taking over after race 1.

The first course set was to the East. With a low tide it had to be a little further out. After race 2, we reset the course to the West. This solved some problems but the lulls from adjacent trees and Clubhouse shading were still present, but a little more bearable.

Judging the start was an artform with a port start not a bad idea if you could get away with it. There were many position changes on the first leg as one hoped for the wind streaks to reach your boat. Rounding the downwind starboard mark was a challenge at times. After rounding, it was occasionally difficult to then clear the mark after tacking.

The winner for the day was Martin Thearle scoring 10 points. Martin had his best score to date with his 4 firsts and a second. Phil Stevenson is always on or near the podium and was the main challenger for the day. Phil had 2 firsts and 4 places to come second and score 13 points. Noel McPherson had a first and 2 places scoring 19 points to come home in third place.

Philip Hetherington sailed his best scratch day with his first in race 6 and all finishes at 7 or better. Philip led the field from there. The next 7 positions were quite close, including a countback for places 7 and 8.

Places went well down the page on an interesting and testing day.

Race winners were Martin Thearle 4, Phil Stevenson 2, Noel McPherson 1 and Philip Hetherington 1.

Martin Thearle took the honours for the day to win 1st place on 10 points.

Phil Stevenson finished in 2nd place on 13 points.

Noel McPherson finished in 3rd place with 19 points.

The Club Championship now has Martin Thearle in front from Phil Stevenson and Noel McPherson.

Our next Sail day is Thursday 19^th March for a Scratch Event. I’ll forward forecast details closer to the day.

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