Race 14
This race was a championship race, held over the southerly course in overcast and often rainy conditions and a brisk wind.
Eight boats started, though the start was marred by confusion over the individual recall of two boats, with two others mistakenly turning back. It was a closely fought race, with the first six boats finishing within 1 minute 31 seconds. After starting behind the fleet, due to the recall at the start, Uncle Norm, Eric Partland and Gary Wills, won the race, followed across the line 14 seconds later by Tranquil, Neil Johnson and Bret Pollitt, the other boat to be recalled at the start. Merlot, Michael Chapman and Peter Deall, was third 26 seconds later. Ten crossed the line 7 minutes 32 seconds after Uncle Norm, making it the winner on handicap. Aeolian was holed at the last buoy and did not finish.
Ten is sailed by father and son team Ian and Ken Caldwell. Ian said they were very pleased with their race. “It was an exciting race and we got around it in record time”. At the end of the first lap, Ten was in the middle of the fleet, coming 4th. But then Ian said they had a problem putting up the whisker pole. They weren’t the only ones, with Merlot having to double back and fish their pole out of the water. At that stage Ian said the rest of the fleet caught up. “They pulled away from us at the first work and we fell back, we lost their lines.”
Murphy’s Law, David Johnston and Kate Thompson, were second on handicap, and Annette, Ron Johnston and Ben Speed were third. Uncle Norm is leading the Championship point score, followed by Tranquil and Annette. Annette is leading the season point score, Murphy’s Law is second and Uncle Norm third.
