Zuri sails well to handicap for skipper Neil Worrell to claim heat three of winter series

There were only three division two yachts making up the only fleet to compete in heat three of the Princess Royal Sailing Club winter series last Saturday.

It was a short harbour course flying start event and the three skippers and crews didn’t let the 19-20 knot westerly or the threat of heavy showers prevent them from proving it can be done, after all it is the winter series.

Stephen Lee in Flasheart was the early leader and opened up a handy lead from Stephen Brown in Mary Maitland and Neil Worrell in Zuri.

Lee threw caution to the wind and made good use of his spinnaker to put himself further in front.

Brown was struggling at times to make any inroads on Flasheart where as Worrell was calmly sailing as best he could to his quite generous handicap.

Flasheart continued to show good speed as it neared the finish line with Lee in the knowledge that he had to be well ahead of the other two to score a win.

Worrell and Zuri put paid to that when they were declared victorious by 90-odd seconds on corrected time proving that if you sail steady and well you will be rewarded.

Flasheart which had done so well overall was second and recorded the fastest time in a fine display.

Brown, who was probably disappointed with his effort but he’ll be back to prove he can do better, was third.