This week’s big event was heat 3 of the NS14 Class Championship. Other classes competed in the summer handicap Pointscore.
Conditions were very testing and many boats capsized in the gusty Sou-easterly breeze which reached 22 knots. Adding to the problems, the recent rains created a strong current which aligned with the wind, causing the fleet to sail against the wind and the strong tide.
It turned out to be a lovely afternoon on the river. The windy and rainy conditions meant sailors had the river all to themselves. Sailors love windy and rainy!
Two races were held today. Pointscore results are based on handicap. In the Pointscore fleet, there was 4 Lasers and 3 Corsairs & 3 NS14’s. It was hard work for the single-handed Lasers and there were many capsizes
Pointscore Race 1 was won by NS14 “Flight 24” (Adam Hurt & Kate Yeomans) 2nd was NS14 “Impulsive Matt” (Matt Andrews & Melissa La Roux) & 3rd was Laser “Dreadnaught (Peter Fell).
Race 2 was won by Laser “Dreadnaught, 2nd was “Impulsive Matt”, and 3rd was NS14 “On & Off” (Dave Robinson & Kynan Luescher)
The NS14 Class championship was very closely contested. Class Championship races are based on scratch results (no handicap)
Race one of the NS14’s got off to a bad start for top contender “Impulsive Matt” when they mis-read the start signals and got off to a flying start, although one minute early. They were forced to return, finally to start 30 seconds behind the fleet. This cost them the race as “Flight 24” stayed ahead for the remainder and got home for first place.
Race two was a very different story and a 3-way race. “Flight 24” lost time in a capsize and “Impulsive Matt” got the bullet with “On & Off” getting points for second.
The 3 handed Corsairs managed the tough conditions well, and stayed close to the front. Racing was very close fought between the 2 top boats with Corsair “Monopoly” (Andy Lamont, Maddie & John Morgan) getting the bullet in both races only seconds ahead of second Corsair Gidget (Craig Foley, Ella Ekstrom & Patricio Moreno)
Sailing is on again next Sunday (the 17th of Jan) and will feature heat 4 of the NS14 Class Championship.
Sailing is a very enjoyable spectator sport and the club welcomes visitors to watch. Racing can be viewed close up from anywhere along the lower Fingal Reach of the Tweed River.
The club is current in need of a rescue boat driver. Must hold boat license