The weather forecast was accurate for a change. The heavy winds and rain of this morning disappeared about 12.30 for a great race day. No rain and the wind bounced around quite a bit making it difficult for sail choice. Most did 4 changes over the day as we started with good 3 metre weather, then dropping to about 12 knts, only to come back to 15–18 knts for a couple of races and then 8–10 knts for the last lightweight race and the heavy weights race being stopped through lack of wind. We only got in 3 long races down the road and then a wind shift meant we used the short circuit, covering 5 laps for the race. We used the grass to slow down while the wind was up, made a bit of a mess with the wet ground and quite difficult to harden up on the grass without the whole kart sliding around. Some mastered it better than others with one person missing the corner completely and ending up in the pond. No damage to kart or person but Orca now has a pond mate. With the wind up the gybe mark caught some out, sliding across the road into the ditch and ending up in the mud. Again no damage but it did mean some lost places. Despite the changeable conditions everyone seemed to enjoy the outing although numbers were down, probably because of the morning weather. Haydn looks to have run away with the lightweights but it could be close for the minor places. The heavy weights is still very close with Orca having 3 wins from 5 today with some good starts and clever tactical sailing. Will have to wait for results to see how the handicaps work out but with mostly across wind sailing all day this normally means the back markers come into their own. Race results out tomorrow. The last race day for the winter series is next Sunday, same time, same place and hopefully a full turnout.

Russell

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