Senior sailing summer series begins

It was overcast and a brisk NE wind for the start of the summer series. Old hands Goldie with Phil and Val, Invincible with Richard and Johan, Piccaninny with Alan and John were joined by Lochmara with Chappy and Steve, and Gerry and crew on Wētā - a folding Trimaran.

With the wind where it was, we agreed a circuit of Motuhoa Island would be a good warm-up for summer and we started at 11.38 off Ōmokoroa Point.

We blasted down Channel with Piccaninny in the lead for a few minutes before being passed by Goldie, Lochmara was third matching Invincible. At the first starboard mark, Lochmara hauled in Piccaninny whilst Goldie surged ahead. When we had a moment we looked back to see Invincible checking the real estate.

At the division of the channel, we all gybed on to starboard tack to rip up the Te Puna channel. Wētā joined us here and showed a real burst of speed and spray. Goldie still led and as Lochmara stood clear of the shallows, Piccaninny moved up a place, but not for long. At the turn around the southern end of Motuhoa, Goldie was well out in the lead, Wētā close behind but not clearly visible in the waves whilst Lochmara tacked for tack with Piccaninny until disaster, Pic found the sand bar!

At this point, we saw Invincible heading down harbour. Pic came off the mud and rejoined the race to D.

Goldie finished 1st at 12.53, Wētā 2nd at 12.56, Lochmara 3rd at 12.58, Piccaninny 4th at 13.27.13 and Invincible at 13.48. Well sailed all.