A LIGHT south to south-easterly wind greeted the Nowra Sailing Club fleet on Saturday, December 21 for the Bomaderry Bowling Club Point Score and the Manildra Championship.
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Michael Fairbairn (G.O.F.) won the start from Wayne Norris (Never Satisfied), while Bill Jauncey (Twist ‘n Shout) was late for the start.
For the first lap on the return run Michael’s lead evaporated as Wayne and Bill rode a favourable gust which brought the whole fleet together, but from then on Michael extended a lead on the Spirals.
Meanwhile Wayne and Bill fought a close battle for the first three laps until Wayne caught a gust which Bill missed, and opened a lead which he extended for the rest of the race except for the last lap in which Bill made up half a minute.
The Manildra Championship was decided after application of the class yardsticks, and Wayne clearly won by almost a minute from Bill with Michael third.
The point score was won by Bill by 18 seconds from Michael with Wayne another 10 seconds behind Michael, meaning a total gap of 28 seconds from first to third. This gave Bill the Kel Campbell Trophy of the Day, and he extends his hold on the point score as he now has 522 from Wayne on 456 and Michael on 438.
But in gaining these points, Bill has cut his handicap and will have a hard job defending his lead.
In the championship, Wayne has a clear lead over the fleet with 467 points from Bill with 316 and Michael who has yet to have favourable conditions for his Finn, on 281.
After the race all the sailors had a delightful Christmas afternoon tea, thanks to starter Gwenda, and they all enjoyed a good chat and the food.
The Nowra Sailing Club wishes all its readers and supporters of the club a wonderful new year and good sailing in 2014.