The start was too close to pick the main group, but Merve Lotze (Spiral 5.6) and Michael Fairbairn (Finn) picked the port end of the start line as the way to go and comfortably crossed ahead of the other five bunched competitors.

With a strong outgoing tide running against 20 knots-plus of wind, the waves made for more rocking and rolling than Guy Sebastian’s concert last Friday.  By the top mark Michael was just ahead of Merve, then a small gap to Wayne Norris (Spiral), Mike Wootten (Spiral), Bill Jauncey (Spiral 5.6), Steve Phelps (Spiral 5.6), and Cameron Phelps (Spiral).  Alan Hawkes elected to retire his Laser soon after the start.

The mixture of excitement and terror rose on the first run with Bill being the first to wash his sail, placing him last in the field by the time he had recovered.

By the third lap Michael had opened a clear lead on Merve, then a gap to Wayne who was being closely pressed by Mike, then Steve and Bill.  Cameron had gone for a couple of swims and was now behind Bill.

The gusts had increased by the next lap and Michael and Bill had swims, Michael recovering quickly. Wayne was not content with one swim and elected to practise the skill a few times. Over these last two laps others also crashed, so the end of the race saw Michael finish less than five minutes ahead of Merve, who sailed a superb race on only his second outing with a 5.6 sail.  Steve finished next followed by Mike, Bill, Wayne and Cameron.

The Manildra Championship is decided on boat handicaps and this was comfortably won by Merve, followed by Michael.  Steve followed up his first place in the Nowra Marathon with a strong third with Bill nearly three minutes behind him. This gave the Spiral 5.6 rigs the first three Spiral places with Mike 38 seconds behind Bill being the first standard rig Spiral.  Wayne and Cameron, who both had plenty of swims, followed Mike.

The Bomaderry Bowling Club point score, based on individual handicaps, was also won by Merve by just nine seconds from Michael with Steve third and Mike fourth.  Bill, 16 seconds adrift of Mike came in next, followed by Cameron and Wayne.  All competitors enjoyed an energy boost after the race from devouring the cake eaten to celebrate Wayne’s birthday, and everyone had a chance to relate stories of the best part of the exciting race. 

Merve’s double also justly earned him the Kel Campbell Trophy of the Day.  This Saturday the club again sails for the Kel Campbell Trophy of the Day, and the Bomaderry Bowling Club point score 16. As always visitors are most welcome for the 14.20 start.  www.nowrasailingclub.wordpress.com.