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Consistency Race 18 / Championship Race 7 27th April 2019

As often happens towards the end of the season, last Saturday’s final Consistency/Championship race was sailed in light airs. 

The race started in four knot North Easterly and the selection of course 12 started all three fleets on a beat to B mark.  The surprise 180-degree wind shift on the second leg made conditions interesting as the spinnaker divisions scrambled to drop their backwinding kites and beat to the second mark.  The light South Westerly held for the rest of the race and all divisions were able to finish the full course.  Some competitors were fortunate enough to see a whale before the start.

Seven boats raced in Division One with Roger Passmore’s Aquila taking first and fastest on IRC handicap from Eric Gath’s Stimulus Package with Mick Gillum’s Panacea in third.  On TCF handicap Paul Huhtala’s Gumboot IV took first from Aquila and Panacea.  A spectacular spinnaker run to the finish saw Gumboot IV, Stimulus Package, Witchy Woman and Panacea jostling for the line with only four seconds separating all four boats.

Division Two also fielded seven boats with Ernie Delfos’s Windswept dominating the results with a first and fastest on both IRC and TCF handicaps.  George Carter’s Eufarria (skippered by John Crowhurst) took second on both handicaps with Steve Delfos’s Minke third on IRC and Brian Cooper’s Valkyr third on TCF.

JAM division also saw seven boats racing.  Peter Cochrane’s Raya took first on TCF ahead of Myra Stanbury’s Sami with Franco Pieri’s Medusa third.  Jane and Steve Laws’ Ambience was unlucky to brush L mark and have to take a penalty turn.

Pennants were presented on the Sunset Deck by Inshore Captain Brian Cooper.  Thanks as always to the Race Control crew on Success.  Full results are available on www.sportspage.com.au.  Additional photos by Chris Bender can be seen on OneDrive.  Next Saturday’s Lady Skippers’ race followed by the Inshore Presentation Dinner rounds off the Summer Season.

 

Race Report by Frances Hammond, photos by Chris Bender