Breeze was five to 12 knots shifting south east to north east and increasing as the race continued.  

Most of the fleet arrived at the starting line too early and had to stall for time, though Wayne Norris (Never Satisfied), Michael Fairbairn (G.O.F.), Cameron Phelps (Green Titan) and Steve Phelps (Moving Along) started well, while Bill Jauncey (Twist n Shout) was facing the wrong way when the horn went.

Joe Mason (Bitter n Twisted,) sailing only his second race, was not far behind the fleet.

As the first work began, Michael’s Finn started to open a lead on the Spirals, while Wayne, after initially crossing behind the recovering Bill, soon hit the front of the Spiral fleet and spent the remainder of the race opening a remarkable lead on the other Spirals.  

Meanwhile, Steve developed a several length gap over Bill while Cameron stayed close behind and Joe continued to improve over last week.  

By lap three Bill had just got ahead of Steve by about two metres but failed to cover and Steve retook the place soon after.  

At the finish Michael was almost six minutes ahead of Wayne, with Steve almost four minutes back and Bill another 25 seconds after Steve.  

Cameron, sailing only his second season, was less than three minutes behind Bill, and Joe about five minutes after Cameron.

After applying the boat class yardstick, Wayne clearly won the Manildra Championship from Michael by 91 seconds, with Steve about two and a half minutes back in third.  

Bill, Cameron and Joe made up the rest of the places.  

Cameron made it two in a row for the Bomaderry Bowling Club Point Score with a fine win of over a minute from Wayne with Michael another minute back in third, and Steve three seconds behind him for fourth, while Bill and Joe made up the last two places with Joe just three seconds after Bill.  

Those results consolidate Wayne’s position at the top of the championship with 367 points, from Bill on 249, Michael on 232, Steve with 115, and Cameron with 72.  

Steve, Joe and Cameron have missed a number of races.  

Wayne has now just hit the front of the point score with 340, Michael 338, Bill 322, Cameron 300, Steve 224 and Joe 32. 

With 100 on offer for a win and 67 for second, and handicaps altering with the results, the series is wide open. 

Racing continues up to December 21 and restarts on January 4.  

Details at www.nowrasailinclub.wordpress.com 

Unfortunately Wayne cannot get to the Spiral National Titles to be held over the Australia Day long weekend near Foster, which is a shame as with his current form he would get some outstanding results.  

Thanks again to the wonderful starters Gwenda and Julie.  

Like most sports, sailing is one that depends on volunteers to make it happen and the club, together with competitors in all sports, salute those volunteers.