Simon Lucas’ FForever Young overcomes hiccup to secure strong Flying Fifteens triumph

A computer glitch caused a failure in retrieving handicap results after last Saturday’s racing, meaning no official results were recorded.

However, that did not stop the Flying Fifteens and division two yachts from humming across the waves on Saturday.

Three Flying Fifteens competed in a flying start harbour course event held in a non-seasonal south-westerly averaging 14 knots with gusts up to 17 and sporadic changes in direction to make things interesting.

As per usual, Simon Lucas in FForever Young charged to the front and was well ahead of Aileen Lucas in Crazy and Ben Gray in Flying Flounder.

Having established a handy lead, FForever Young fell into a hole, allowing Crazy to catch up and momentarily snatch front position.

This, however, did not last long as FForever Young stamped its authority on the race and stormed back into the lead.

Meanwhile, Gray had made up some ground but was not a threat to the leaders.

FForever Young moved quickly to get further ahead and went on to cross the finish line first and record the fastest time in a fine display.

Next to cross the line was Crazy which had a chance to win.

Flying Flounder sailed well throughout but could not match the experience of Lucas’ and was third over the line.

Four division two yachts competed in a King George Sound race and all four boats were Farr 727s just to make it interesting.

Stephen Brown won the start with Mary Maitland and led the fleet on the long leg out into the sound, but was under pressure from Chris Oldham in Joker, Ian Johnston in Cambio and Neil Worrell in Zuri.

It was a close competition as they flew downwind under spinnaker, except Cambio.

Johnston sailing solo had opted to go JAM and he showed great skills in being able to stay so close throughout.

Joker, after a relatively slow start eventually surged to the front where Oldham likes to be.

Brown, with two new crew, was not that far behind with Cambio being a bit of a nuisance by hanging in there.

Zuri, which started well, was still trailing the fleet.

Returning to the harbour for the final leg, Joker was well ahead and looking a likely winner.

Brown was still lying in second position with Cambio also posing a threat for a handicap win.

Joker was unstoppable and crossed the finish line first and recorded the fastest time in a great performance.

Brown was second to cross, then Johnston with Cambio followed by Zuri.