Prior to the race starting, the wind was from the west in the high teens with a few stronger gusts. Lining up for the start was Mick in his Finn "GOF', Wayne in his Spiral 'Never Satisfied', plus Cam and Steve in their Spirals 'Green Titan' and 'Moving Along' who both had the option, and therefore elected, to use their smaller 5.6 sails.

With the westerly wind the first very short leg was to sail into it to the top mark. Mick and Cam both started closer to the southern bank on port tack while Wayne and Steve started from the north side of the River. Mick got the best of the start rounding the first mark just ahead of the 3 spirals. It was a quick trip downwind to the bottom mark. Cameron and Mick both managed a swim on this first downwind run leaving Steve clear to be first around this bottom mark. After righting themselves Cam and Mick followed Wayne to the bottom mark where all 3 managed a swim on rounding it, allowing Steve to open up a gap.

With the wind now over 20 knots and gusting higher and varying in direction from NW to W it was a tough few laps with Cam and Wayne managing a few more capsizes in the gusty and varying conditions. Steve managed to retain the lead for the first 2 laps until Mick caught up. Continually being overpowered with his full size sail, Wayne elected to retire rather than risk damaging his boat.

During the 3rd lap the wind dropped but with some gusts still coming through. Mick in his big boat cherished these conditions and quickly opened up a large lead over the Spirals with their small sails. However for the 5th lap the wind returned with vengeance with some gusts now over 30kts. On the 6th lap with Cam physically just ahead of Mick (but a lap behind), both had a rip snorter run, however on rounding the bottom mark Cam went for a spectacular near cartwheel capsize.

Mick seeing this did a safer 'granny' tack at the mark then on commencing his work upwind got a small rip in his sail which within seconds turned into a rip from the top to the bottom of the sail ending his race. Mick limped his boat over to the southern bank where he pulled down the remnants of his sail and commence walking his boat along the bank aided by Wayne.

The wind for the last couple of laps was very high. Having raced this long and being able to handle the conditions (just) Cam and Steve were both determined to finish the race with Cam taking one last swim in the final lap. Steve managed to finish the race without capsizing but was still very wet from falling into the water backwards numerous times when leaning out as the gust suddenly finished. To the amusement of the shore staff, Steve did capsize after the race with the boat falling over backwards as he approached the beach. A local bike rider also took a break from his ride being entertained by the antics over the last few laps of the race. Looking up the wind on the BOM site after the race it indicated the wind for those last couple of laps was in the high twenties with some gusts closer to 40knots.

The Bomaderry Bowling Club Championship was won by Steve followed by Cam. The Club Point Score determined on personal handicaps was also won by Steve with Cam in second. The Kel Campbell Trophy of the day was shared by Steve and Cam for managing to survive and finish in the very trying conditions. Pending wind conditions and participant numbers, NCSC will race the next two Saturdays before wrapping up the 2018-19 season prior to Easter.