Double win for the impressive Joker as fleets combine in handicap start harbour course race

The division two fleet was joined by Harold Keay’s division one boat Shagabull to form a combined fleet competing in a handicap start harbour course race on Saturday, January 19.

The six division two yachts also raced in their own fleet.

The talk around the club has been about the unseasonal winds for this time of the year when sailors are usually buffeted by the howling easterlies.

As like last weekend a steady southerly at around 10 knots made for pleasant sailing.

In the combined fleet Neil Worrell’s Zuri was the limit boat followed in order by Mark McRae in Sicarius, Ian Johnston in Cambio, Stephen Brown in Mary Maitland, Joker skippered by Chris Oldham, Stephen Lee in Flasheart and Harold Keay’s Shagabull, the scratch boat.

Joker established an early lead having caught and passed four of the early starters and was sailing faultlessly.

Keay, sailing without the use of a spinnaker, was doing extremely well considering this was his first outing for the season and with only two crew.

He was able to pass all boats except Joker which was still well ahead.

Stephen Brown had Mary Maitland moving well as he moved into third place.

Meanwhile the battle was on between Zuri, Sicarius, Cambio and Flasheart with each boat in with a chance on a handicap place.

Joker however powered across the finish line to take a brilliant first place.

Shagabull was only one minute behind in second in a great effort and Mary Maitland, which had done well throughout, took third place.

In the division two results Joker was first, Mary Maitland took second place and Zuri had beaten the tailenders into third place.

Three Flying Fifteens also competed in a handicap start harbour event with Benn Gray in Flying Flounder the limit boat.

A minute later Aileen Lucas began with Crazy and a minute later Simon Lucas in FForever Young began his quest.

Crazy was sailing very quickly in conditions that its skipper enjoys and caught and passed Flying Flounder to hit the front where it stayed right to the finish.

FForever Young couldn’t make up any ground on the two leaders until the latter stages but Crazy had finished in first place with the fastest time in a great performance.

Flying Flounder took second place just seconds in front on FForever Young.