Ten Sabres contested the River Rat title held for the second year at Maroochy Sailing Club. Light winds caused racing to be postponed, with just one race finally being conducted in the afternoon. Sailors also had to contend with rain during the race sailed over a triangular course with the added challenge of a strong tide.
Peter McLaren (MSC) made the best of the start and first leg, leading the fleet at the top mark, but losing momentum on the next leg. Lea Foster (RQYS) had an aggressive start but was declared over the line and returning to the start was a high price to pay in the tide and light wind. Many sailors found mark rounding challenging, with the subsequent penalty turn resulting in lost ground that could not be recovered.
Fran Eastgate (RQYS) was with the leading boats on the second leg but then lost her position in the fleet. John Campbell (RQYS) and Sue Hextell (RQYS) made a break from the fleet on the second leg which they were able to maintain and slightly extend during the rest of the race. Keith Wilson (CYC) also made a break and held his third place position, but was unable to make up ground on the leaders.
Luis Ferro (HYC) and Rob Jackson (CYC) were the next to make a break, coming out ahead of the pack and sailing a steady race to the finish, but unable to peg back Keith, so finished 4th & 5th. Ilan Schofield (MSC) finished 6th. Lea Foster, Peter Mclaren, Fran Eastgate and Peter Brodie (MSC) sailed as a pack, with Peter B having trouble at the last mark, allowing the other three to finish ahead,
RESULTS
1st Scratch – River Rat 2011 – John Campbell
2nd – Sue Hextell
3rd – Keith Wilson
1st handicap – Luis Ferro
2nd – Rob Jackson
3rd – Ilan Schofield
Special Awards:
Peter McLaren (1st to the top mark)
Fran Eastgate (encouragement for fleet position at the top mark and on water excitement)
Peter Brodie (acknowledgement of difficulty getting away from the last mark)
Lea Foster (reprimand for drifting into the exclusion zone)
Thank you to Maroochy SC and the MSC sailors for their hospitality and organisation.
Susan Hextell.