Club Championships Races 5 & 6

After the excitement of our morning club training sessions, the course was set for the north easterly conditions, and Race 5 of the DBSC Championships commenced on time with the wind building. The fleet of 50 sailors keen to get going with cloudy but blue sky and fair winds. The course area slightly to the west of our usual location (close to Clark Island) due to the 29ers regatta also being run over the weekend weekend by the 18 footers.

The first race podium positions were dominated by our Youth sailors:

In the Radials front positions were held by Sara Bruce showing a convincing lead throughout the race and finishing over a minute ahead of the others, Zac Howell second and Liv Aitkin third.

In the 4.7s Hiro Jacobson first, Titouan Christodoulou Le Gac second, and Charlie Wait third.

Likewise in the Standards, Healy Ryan first, almost a minute ahead of Conor Kellett second, and Charlie Byford third.

Then we watched as the sky began to darken, and it was clear that this was not going to be a typical nor-easter, the forecast dark clouds building in the south. Still the second race (race 6) commenced in a light NE breeze, and both fleets were away with clear starts. But by the time the fleets had rounded the top mark and were reaching from the wing, there were signs of an upset coming, with heavy storm clouds gathering in the south and the radar showing the cell moving to the south of Sydney and out to sea. The wind dropped, and shifted, and when it eventually built again it entered the course from the south (as predicted). It was a gusty and shifty southerly change with lightening further south - The race committee shortened the course at the Leeward mark after the second windward beat (…well for most it was a beat or reach back down to the finish!). A challenging second race!

Well done to those who persevered:
Radials Roberto Blum first, Martin White second, Patrick McLachlan third.
4.7s Charlie Wait first, Ben Phillips second.
Standards Healy Ryan first, Jason Wilkins second, and John Sweeny third.

Thankyou Paul Adam and Maurice Doumit in the Canteen, assisted by Andrew Foote and Nicholas Pellow, and Thankyou Paul for putting on another great, tasty BBQ! and to Jasper Kinsman for running the BBQ cleanup with Chris Tattersall and Isabella Taylor assisting.

Also the on water team: Steven London with LTraR Thomas Beregi, COTD Robert Bruce assisted by Ben Byford and Chris Tattersall on Safety RIB Reserve - both Ribs did and excellent job keeping us safe (with a few rescues as the weather turned grey!

- Steven London, PRO

Photos from race 5: