Sailing Club Series, Race 1 - Fast Handicap Report

Published 20:02 on 21 Apr 2024

The commencement of the annual Yawl training weekend marked the kickoff for the Sailing Club Series, boasting a formidable lineup of 20 boats at the starting line.

With an East-North-East force 3 wind and a flood tide, the stage was set for an exciting race, albeit marred by an individual recall as two Yawls, a Merlin Rocket, and the 505 misjudged the start sequence. A challenging endeavor ensued as they maneuvered amidst the sea of boats, grappling with wind shifts and battling against the current to correct their positions.

In a remarkable display of skill, Olly Turner, accompanied by the promising young talent Charlie Mackenzie as crew, took the lead aboard Y68. Despite Charlie's novice status in Yawl sailing, their synergy propelled them towards victory. With precision and determination, they outpaced the competition, securing first place with a commanding lead of 35 seconds, leaving seasoned contenders like Tim Fells and Fran Gifford in the Merlin to play catch-up.

Tim and Fran's commendable recovery efforts earned them a well-deserved second place on corrected time, while The Squire's in the Albacore clinched third with a consistent performance.

Under the expert guidance of Race Officer Malcolm Mackley and his team, Saturday's race unfolded seamlessly, with a challenging yet rewarding long course that garnered praise from participants, especially those navigating their way back from early setbacks.

By John Burn

Photos By Lucy Burn