Yesterday we sailed a Scratch Event with seventeen DAC Sailors, who accepted the forecast weather.

We had the predicted heavy overcast, but only one very light shower. The Southerly was certainly there, ranging around 20 with regular gusts up to 47 Km/Hr, (11 to 25 Knots).

We all chose “C” sails. The tricky part was setting a Course with this wind, a very low tide and in sight of the Deck.

There were many rescues required. Most of these were from running aground, although several buoys snared quite a few boats.

Our thanks go to Cliff Bromiley who volunteered wading the shallows for many of these rescues. The water is nice and warm this time of the year, this must have helped!

It looked as though it may have a long day but the Races were sailed quite quickly. Thanks to all as we got each Race underway promptly and completed our 10 Races in good time.

The Scoresheet again shows a regular pattern. To finish in the top three or so, you can’t afford more than 2 distant places, (which are dropped). There were some very close duels played out. Graham Brown, Noel McPherson and Phil Stevenson took 8 of the wins and most of the places.

Graham read the starts well, as the start line was always heavily congested. His upwind speed seemed greater than most, but Noel and Phil paced him well and quite often contested the rounding of the top mark. Graham comfortably won the day with 5 wins and 2 places.

I acted as Race Officer for Race 8 and had a chance to see some excellent Match Racing between Graham and Noel McPherson. They crossed tacks many times during this Race. The decider was selecting the correct lay line for the last rounding of the upwind mark in the varying wind. Noel nailed it and he won that Race. He and Phil Stevenson finished on equal points. Noel with 2 wins and 5 places came second, to just edge Phil into 3^rd place. A win and 6 places for Phil.

There was quite a gap to the following places. Rob Lowndes, Robin Tickner and Peter Close completed the next three and seemed to be the only challengers for higher honours, a win each for Rob and Robin.

To finish any Race in the front half of the Fleet requires some pretty good sailing. In the tough conditions, this was achieved by Judy Evans, Phillip Hetherington, Geoff Lucas, Bruce and Karen Paterson, Barry McCarthy and Cliff Bromiley.

Race winners were Graham Brown 5, Noel McPherson 2, Phil Stevenson 1, Rob Lowndes 1 and Robin Tickner 1.

Graham Brown took the honours for the day to win 1st place on 14 points.

Noel McPherson finished in 2nd place on 19 points.

Phil Stevenson finished in 3rd place with 19 points, after a countback.

The Club Championship now has Noel McPherson in front from Robin Tickner and Phil Stevenson.

Our next Sail day is Thursday 2^nd February for a Handicap Event.

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