On a cloudy grey evening with stormy clouds hovering the Flying Fifteen fleet got more than they expected with strong force 4-5 winds from the west on Thursday evening. With no race last week, repaired DBSC Committee Boat Freebird was ready and waiting at the start line. Despite the peak holiday season a great turnout of 16 boats had an exciting evenings sail with Alan Green and Chris Doorly taking the gun in a close and exciting finish from Neil Colin & Margaret Casey.
The start with its pin end bias was hotly contested with Dumpleton and Green vying for a position to get the pin. Green popped out and after a while managed to cross the fleet on port as the fleet headed towards Harbour mark. It seemed that the hard work was done and he was in control of the fleet but it was not to last as those who headed in towards the shore got to the mark first, Neil Colin led the way from David Mulvin and Neil Coleman.
The wind really picked up on an exciting tight reach led by Colin, behind there were thrills and spills with several broaches! On towards Poldy the fleet were busy trying to avoid Ruffians. As they approached the mark Green got inside Coleman and on rounding the mark squezed inside David & Valerie Mulvin to move into second place on the beat. This is how it stayed for a while but the gap closed as we approached Bay mark and the chase was on down to East mark where Colin & Casey still held their lead. He headed inshore while Green headed toward the dark looming clouds towards the city. On tacking in towards the finish it was all about boat speed- what would happen as they converged adjacent the line? As the finish loomed closer it was Green that crossed clear of Colin to take the gun, a great finish to a great race set by Jack Roy and his team. It was still close behind with Alistair & Conor just pipping Coleman for third with McCambridge fifth.
