Fourteen DAC Sailors came along for some scratch racing today.

The forecast was a little dodgy but as predicted, the rain stayed away.

We had a South Easterly breeze which ranged from 10 with gusts to 34 Km/Hr., (6 to 18 Knots).

The right sail for the day was B during the quiet spots and C for the gusts. We persevered with B’s for the most part.

Our course for the first 5 races was set to the Eastern side. As the lulls there seemed to increase, we swapped to the West for the rest.

Reading the best end for starting was a little tricky. A port start was good for a while and then a subtle wind direction change caught many out.

The Sailor who read the conditions best was Noel McPherson. Noel won 3 races and took a second place to score 20 points and to win the day. Phil Stevenson was edged into second place with his win and 5 places, another champion effort to score 20.5 points. Martin Thearle has to be one of our most consistent sailors. Martin won one race but also scored 3 places to come home third with 21 points. All his finishes were in the front group with no aberrations. Graham Brown won 3 races to finish in fourth place with 24 points. A tangle or two dented Graham’s scoresheet somewhat, but fourth place was it.

The first three boats, one point between them, such close racing!

Richard Thorpe and Narelle Derwent had good days with several places and high finishes for each.

Places were also earned by Geoff Lucas, Lew Verdon, Bruce Paterson, Bruce Hilliard (a win) with some good finishes for all at some stage of the day’s racing.

It was not an easy day with the fluctuating breeze but we stayed dry and had some good sailing to enjoy.

Race winners were Noel McPherson 3, Martin Thearle 1, Graham Brown 3, Phil Stevenson 1 and Bruce Hilliard 1.

Noel McPherson took the honours for the day to win 1st place on 20 points.

Phil Stevenson finished in 2nd place on 20.5 points.

Martin Thearle finished in 3rd place with 21 points.

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