This afternoon twenty two DAC Sailors came along for our Scratch Event, a Club record.

We raced with a Southerly breeze which ranged from about 15 with gusts to 32 Km/Hr, (8 to 17 Knots). We chose mostly “B” sails with quite a few “C” ‘s coming out towards the end.

It was a cool Autumn day with the air temperature around 17^oC, but on the Deck which is normally a suntrap, I reckon we hit the low 20’s.

It was a tricky day. Many, many boats and a shifting breeze.

The first mark had to be set in the near shallows due to a falling tide, and keeping the Course in sight.

There was general mayhem as we all approached it at the same time. The port tackers didn’t help and still insisted on squeezing in to non-existing gaps. Graham Brown, with great experience in this field set a gate at the windward end which did alleviate quite a bit of the problem.

We only managed 8 Races due to boats tempting the shallows, boats needing rescue, and boats not staying in the vicinity of the start line before the start.

For future large Fleets, we will, for 20 boats or more, revert to a Handicap day. Longer start lines have not fixed the problem, as the port tackers chance their arm and the problems start.

Now to the better part of the day.

Graham Brown and Robin Tickner set a cracking pace. They each managed to clear the Fleet early and their neck and neck sailing had to be settled with the dreaded countback. Mostly wins and places gave Graham and Robin equal points of 17, with Graham taking first. Brendan Hones did very well in the conditions and all high finishes and a win in Race 8 gave him a comfortable third place. Noel McPherson, just out of the top three was not out by far. Three thirds in such a large Fleet is a good effort. Phil Stevenson, Martin Thearle, Bruce Hilliard, Karen Paterson and Peter Close formed the next group with only a few points between them, Phil, Karen and Peter each having a win. Places went about two thirds down the page with some good finishes being scored in this group.

Race winners for the day were Graham Brown 3, Robin Tickner 1, Brendan Hones 1, Phil Stevenson 1, Peter Close 1 and Karen Paterson 1.

Graham Brown took the honours for the day to win 1st place on 17 points.

Robin Tickner finished in 2nd place on 17 points, settled by a countback.

Brendan Hones finished in 3rd place also with 24 points.

The Club Championship now has Graham Brown in front from Noel McPherson and Robin Tickner.

Our next Sail day is Thursday 25^th May for a Scratch Event.

---