Course: NEPRNSDK       Wind Dir: SW   Force: 2-3      Race Officer - John Jane

Instead of recent races with too much or too little wind, there was a good WSW breeze for the nine yachts which came to the starting line. Race Officer John Jane, assisted by Ian Wort and Martine McPherson set a course out into Falmouth Bay, with a downwind start. In the first spinnaker leg out of the Helford River towards Nare head, Jacobi took a lead, followed by Jetta, Big Purple, Forza! and Jabadeo. The boats were able to gybe at the Nare mark and keep their spinnakers working as they headed out to the Eastern mark. Andy Dennis helming Forza! threatened to pass Jetta, but Philip Philpott at the helm of Jetta headed upwind a few degrees to close the gap. The K6 of David Harford proved very quick downwind, but was overtaken again on the upwind legs. The beat in towards Porthallow was led by Jacobi with Jetta second, but Jabadeo managed to pass Forza! Big Purple sailed into third place on the fourth leg to the Rosemullion mark, and although Jacobi was still leading at this stage she needed to pull away from the following boats to be sure of a win on handicap. Origo and Jinjy were sailing not far apart, but the rather "reachy" course did not favour them, and Demolition retired. On the final beat to the finish off Trebah Beach Forza! was able to luff Jabadeo into the quieter water near the South shore. Both Forza! and Jabadeo were able to close the gap with Jetta, so the three J92s finished within a couple of minutes of each other. Jacobi built a comfortable lead in the last two or three legs of the race to win by four minutes on corrected time. Jacobi looks well placed half way through the series, with Big purple and Jetta not too far behind. There was a good turnout of Gaffers and I have a good photo of Brena May and Sail No80. If the skippers would like a copy by email please contact the office for my details.