THE day started off with a moderate-strong breeze with strong gust coming from the west. On the start line the wind faltered for some, meaning the Aero of Nathan Pollard and the Bosun of David Dewhurst and Roger Heasman were late to the line after the starting horn, whilst the Aero of Bob Sampson – flying his five rig and Dave Perrett in his Solo were first across the line.

Nathan soon overtook both Dave then Bob on the first leg up to the west buoy and flew away down to the far buoy where the winds dropped due to a more shelter north westerly wind. He was never caught.

Luckily the course had accounted for the unpredictable winds by allowing the sailors to safely tack around the buoy rather than gybe, though there were still two gybes on the following two buoys where some found the need to ‘granny tack’ instead.

Results: 1 Nathan Pollard (Aero 6); 2 Bob Sampson (Aero 5); 3 Dave Perrett (Solo); 4 David Dewhurst and Roger Heasman (Bosun).

PURSUIT races see sailors start at different times depending on their boats handicap as well as personal handicaps, and finish at the same time. Roger took over the helm from David in the Bosun.

It only took one lap of a stronger wind for Nathan Pollard to overtake all, though towards the end of this first lap the Aero was following a Bosun that was sitting rather low in the water!

They had taken on water after a dodgy tack in inlet, forcing them to retire from the race leaving just Bob and Nathan.

Results: 1 Nathan Pollard (Aero 6); 2 Bob Sampson (Aero 5). Retired: Roger Heasman and David Dewhurst (Bosun).

Thanks go to race officers and safety boat crew Brian Pollard and Tash Routley, who also took the photos.