Excitabull, Flasheart, Crazy and Lime Burner win races across four divisions

Thirteen yachts in four divisions fronted up on Saturday, a big improvement on the previous week when just two sailed. But participant numbers are expected to increase as more are being prepared for competition. Three division 1 yachts started, with Geoff Oliver raring to go and begin on time, taking Excitabull to a handy lead over Harold Keay’s Shagabull, who was still hoisting sails when the hooter sounded. Brett Hawker was found wanting when he had to replace his mainsail just before the start and was extremely late getting away. Excitabull was buzzing the harbour course, leaving the other two way behind and looked a likely winner. Keay had opted to go JAM (jib and main) but managed to stay in front of Hawker in Jessie James, which under spinnaker was closing the gap. Hawker, after several seasons of not sailing, was doing well throughout in the nine-knot southerly. The race was all over as Oliver easily won with Keay in second place and Hawker in third spot. Division2 had two in its fleet and Stephen Lee didn’t mess around, quickly taking Flasheart to the lead, leaving Stephen Brown in Mary Maitland to do the catching up. The longer the race went, the further Lee increased the gap. The bigger boat was too good on the day and although Brown sailed a faultless race, he just couldn’t make up the difference. Flying Fifteens proved to be a family affair. Simon Lucas had Ela North as crew on FForever Young whilst Aileen Lucas had Ela’s husband Wayne as crew on Crazy. It was close racing with the light conditions suiting Crazy as it was able to open up a good lead on FForever Young. All that changed when, with some excellent sailing, Simon Lucas hit the front and went on to cross the line 19 seconds ahead but Crazy won on handicap in a tight encounter. Five Hansas competed in three short-course harbour races and the winner would be decided on average performance. Veteran Skipper Chris Oldham was outstanding with two wins and a second to be declared the winner on the day with Lime Burner. The next best boat on average was Matt Edwards in Blue with three minor placings in his first competition.