Division two skipper Stephen Brown wins on corrected time in Mary Maitland

Division two skipper Stephen Brown finally put it all together after some disappointing results of late to win on corrected time last Saturday in a very tight finish with only seconds separating the three yachts.

The harbour course race was sailed in ideal conditions with a south-easterly breeze of about 13 knots, which made for quick times for all fleets.

Brown won the start in Mary Maitland, followed by Chris Oldham in Joker and a sluggish Flasheart with Stephen Lee in control.

The three yachts stayed close to one another, with the lead changing every now and then.

Joker skipped away from the other two and was looking a likely winner when a navigational error saw Flasheart and Mary Maitland both get ahead.

The last leg to the finish line was fast and furious, with Flasheart just in front and a splendid duel between Joker and Mary Maitland.

Lee was forced to tack only metres from the finish, allowing the other two to close the gap.

Flasheart was first over the line two seconds ahead of Mary Maitland, which easily won on corrected time.

Joker finished eight seconds later to take second place and Flasheart was relegated to third but recorded fastest time in a fine performance from all three yachts, skippers and crews after two hours of competitive sailing.

Four division one yachts competed in their harbour course event and it wasn’t a very good start as they staggered over the line, except Geoff Oliver who timed it perfectly with Excitabull to jump out to an early lead over his bigger opponents, who had to play catch up.

Brett Hawker had Jessie James moving sweetly and eventually caught and passed Excitabull, which still managed to keep in touch.

Jessie James remained in the lead for the remainder of the journey, with Marco Giuntoli in Scappata making some inroads on Excitabull.

Harold Keay was struggling at times with Shagabull but continued to improve in the latter stages, though trailing the fleet.

Oliver, sporting a new blue spinnaker on Excitabull for the first time, was improving his chances on every leg and did so well that he was rewarded with a win on corrected time.

Hawker also sailed well throughout and gained fastest time and second place, while Harold Keay did enough on handicap to snatch third place from Scappata.

Two Flying Fifteens held a match race over a harbour course and Simon Lucas skippering FForever Young showed no mercy to Aileen Lucas in Crazy.

He won the start and went from strength to strength, increasing his lead knowing that he had to beat Crazy by more than two minutes for any chance of a win.

Crazy was able to close the gap slightly on spinnaker runs but lost out on the beats.

With only two legs to go FForever Young was two minutes ahead and increased that by another 30 seconds when it crossed the finish line to take the race and fastest time in a great display.

There will be no sailing next weekend as many members will be in Walpole for their annual regatta.