Helen Eggins got us into it with a briefing covering the changeso to the sailing instructions for the new year.

We then had the presentation of Life Membership to Mick Emery in recognition of his years of service to the club. Mick then took the salute from the jetty as the fleet did a sail past.

The Scott Miller Memorial race got underway after a false start at  13:21 with Early Warning early and having to go back. The breeze was better than expected but still a bit patchy with a NW breeze of between 10-15 knots but some substantial holes at less than 2 knots. Most of the fleet went left hoping for a westerly shift but a couple of boats went right and one being Phanton narrowly squeezed around the top mark ahead of Serenity and Under the Radar with Bang Bang next. The breeze was already fading as the boats headed for the wing mark which ended up being nearly dead down wind. Again Phanton just held out Bang Bang with Serenity next and Early Warning well back after the false start and the Sabres finding the going a bit tough. Again Phanton held a narrow lead at the bottom mark after a very tight reach and as the boats headed up the second beat race officer Helen Eggins decided to shorten the course as the breeze continued to fade and the fleet stretched out over the course. Phanton was first a bit over 3 minutes ahead of Bang Bang with Serenity next a furthur minute and a bit furthur back. The breeze by now had freshened a bit bring most of the fleet home in reasonable time but the Sabres decided it was a bit light and headed back to the club.

On handicap it was Serenity Scott Wilkie and Lucas Foerder first from Phantom Steve Miller and Sarah Haywood second and Under the Radar Melinda Lord and Ben Mills third.

The fleet then went back to the club de rigged got changed and had a great BBQ and drinks to finish of the day.

It was a pleasant way to start the season and next week we start the regular Training sessions in the morning with Pennant Races 1 & 2 back to back in the afternoon.