A Challenging Saturday Bright and Blustery

It was a an early start with some Members being down at the Club for 0730 to get things ready while others arrived at a more leisurely pace.

The early morning light lit the dingy park with that beautiful golden Autumn tinge:

Sunrise At Perth Sailing Club

Saturday saw four crews coping with an early start in sunshine, and  a steady F3 westerly which increased as the day went on. Eric Taylor set a simple triangular course to allow competitors to waken properly.

After a clean start Keith Cuthbert in his RS100 shot ahead from the rest of the fleet until he was slowed by a capsize at the second mark on lap two.

 We have to accept his explanation that it was deliberate to examine the seal on his centreboard! This did not stop him pulling away, especially on the downwind legs. 

Hunter Williamson’s Laser also managed to pull away from Andrew Porteous’ Solo and Keith Fergie’s 420, elegantly crewed by Audrey Robertson.

In spite of his handicap Keith C finished first, followed by Andrew, with Hunter third and Keith and Audrey gallantly bringing up the rear.

With the wind rising and beginning to gust to F5, the second points race was lengthened to four rounds. Andrew managed to go in at the first mark, which put him last. Hunter in the Laser got away from the two Keiths but at the end of the lap only a second separated the first two boats, before the downwind superiority of the RS100 showed up, so that by the second lap he was 4 minutes ahead of the Laser.

 On the last lap Hunter was caught by a strong gust at the end of lap three and had very exciting time at the second downwind mark, just managing to stay with the Laser, but feeling discretion was more important than valour, retired.

 Although last on the water, Andrew won on corrected time and Keith C was unable to make enough time on the 420 allowing Keith F and Audrey to come Second.