Apologies for a very late report as your scribe has had a pretty hectic week. Last Saturday was pleasantly warm as we got back into sailing after the swim with eleven boats racing. Division 1 had full rig Lasers sailed by Manfred, John, Peter E and new member Rod joining with Mike Williams on his OK. Division 2 had Sabres sailed by Andrew, visitor Myles Gavin, Tony C and your scribe. Division 3 was Bobby F-W and Harry C. Additionally we had both Quests sailing, the club Sabre, Richard F practicing and a Mirror who asked that we keep an eye on him.

Mike was ahead of Manfred in both races; 46 seconds in race 1 and 97 seconds in race 2. In race 1 Manfred was followed by John about a minute back, Peter E a further 25 seconds down and about a minute back. In race 2 Manfred was followed by John again, but only half a minute down Peter E a further ¾ of a minute behind with Rod of the pace and perhaps a bit wet 2 ½ minutes later.

Andrew has spent well as he finished race 1 two minutes up on Tony who led Myles by ½ a minute. Myles may have missed the bit of the briefing that defined a yellow mark for him but he soon recovered to ultimately head your scribe by 45 seconds. In race 2 Andrew again led but this time with Myles in hot pursuit, finishing two and a bit minutes ahead. Myles led Tony by 1 ¼ minutes and your scribe finished 3 minutes later possibly thwarted by a tactical error.

In Division 3 Bobby was ahead of Harry in the first race (possibly he sailed a bit further) but Harry bounced back in race 2 and finished about a minute up.

Peter V set a great course. He was ably assisted by Scotty who followed the boats on his jet ski which he moored next to Ozone to do the starts. Glen was in the crash boat while Molly had a full time occupation yelling at hoon jet skis who do not appear to understand their responsibilities. Julie was as busy as always and Anne did the control tower.

Coming up:

Saturday 28 February 2026.
1400 Matthew Flinders series continues (including Boat Club Cup).
0900 Junior and Senior L2S

Saturday 7 March 2026.
1400 Bengalut Balug series commences)

And in a break from navigation a quick update on rules:
Rule 18 Mark room.....However it does not apply
(1) Between boats on opposite tacks on a beat to windward
(2) Between boats on opposite tacks when the proper course at the mark for one but not both of them is top tack
(3) Between a boat approaching a mark and one leaving it, or
(4) If the mark is a continuing obstruction in which case Rule 19 applies
And from case 21 ‘Room’ means enough space needed by an inside boat, which, in the existing conditions is handled in a seamanlike manner, to pass in safety between the object and the outside boat.