Dell Quay Sailing Club

Races 3 and 4 of the DQSC Breakfast Breeze series experienced very variable winds, initially from the west, but backing to the south. Race officer Gideon Ewers had laid two marks across the harbour to give a decent windward beat which entailed a running start from the Quay.

The RS400 of Peter King and Jamie Prescott led from the first mark on the water for both races, finishing well clear of the rest of the fleet, but when the handicaps were applied moved to the back. David Maltby sailing his camouflaged Solo has found form and led the Solos home but it was Simon and Linda Bell in the Miracle who came out on top for the first race, leaving Maltby second and Fred Hilgers (Solo) third.

With the early high tide and the water level dropping the second race was shortened to one lap allowing Maltby to take first place with Hilgers second and Andrew Buchanan (Finn) third.

The Harbour General Handicap Race took place the following day, with a light South Westerly breeze. The Race Officer set a course down the harbour as far as the Park mark, relying on the south westerly to blow the fleet back up to Dell Quay.

Mike Fitzgerald and Tim Dormer (2000) took an early lead, followed by John Purdy (Solo) and then Chris West in his full Laser rig. Purdy managed to keep West at bay until Westlands mark, where West then began his chase on the 2000. By Cobnor Point two more Solos had joined the challenge with Ken Baker leading Dave Swift to challenge Purdy.

At Park, Fitzgerald & Dormer rounded first followed by West, Baker, Purdy, Swift and all the rest of the fleet. Downwind the 2000 made good use of its gennaker whilst Purdy edged past Baker. Meanwhile West took the lead from Fitzgerald and Dormer and was first on the water over the finish line. However on corrected handicap the Solos took the honours with Purdy winning the Bransbury Williams trophy, closely followed by Baker and Swift.

Edited by Andrew Horne with contributions from Peter King