Small field take to harbour for weekend yacht race as Jessie James takes victory in dominant display

Only six yachts in the Princess Royal Sailing Club’s mixed keel boat division began in a flying start harbour course race last Saturday.

Brett Hawker naming his boat Jessie James after his two children and not the infamous American outlaw of the same name didn’t stop him from stealing the race and the coveted Frank Reddin Trophy in a wonderful display, beating the opposition with lightning speed on all legs in a steady 15-knot easterly.

Hawker even missed the start by several seconds but it made no difference as he meant business after the previous week’s effort when he came last.

He rounded the first mark just ahead of Chris Oldham in Joker and Stephen Lee in Flasheart.

These two were having a terrific battle, with only seconds between them.

Joker was able to surge ahead when Flasheart sailed to the wrong mark, putting it out of contention.

Sicarius, skippered by Mark McRae with only one crew, was doing well and brave enough to hoist a spinnaker, which kept it in the hunt.

Neil Worrell in Zuri was calling the shots and doing well, as he always sails well to his handicap, but lost precious time with spinnaker problems.

Stephen Brown, with a new crew on Mary Maitland, opted to go JAM and struggled throughout but did finish ahead of Zuri.

Jessie James finished 12 minutes ahead of second-placed Joker, which was the fastest of the division two yachts.

Third place went to McRae, who had a good day out with Sicarius.

Two Flying Fifteens match raced over a harbour course, with both yachts staying close to one another for long periods, but Simon Lucas in Forever Young was always in the lead by a slim margin.

Crazy, skippered by Aileen Lucas, enjoyed the conditions and, having a good handicap, just had to be as close as she could to win on corrected time, which she was able to do.

Simon Lucas was second and fastest in a fine effort by both skippers and crews.