It was great to see the trainees out in a Sabre and a couple of Bics in the morning.

After lunch a fleet of five NS14s three B14s and a couple of Sabres headed out for a 13:12 start in a shifty ENE breeze with big shifts and massive preasure changes.

Toward the end of the start sequence there was  a big 90 degree Easterly swing with the fleet  almost laying the top mark for a little while. The breeze was around 10-14 knots with gusts from 12-18 knots with big shifts the order of the day.

The breeze dropped right down as the fleet got to the top mark with Phantom first then Serenity closely followed by a large group of boats with Wind Wizard thinking he should have brought the cat well out the back.

The breeze settled back to the expected direction as the boats sailed out to the wing mark with Phantom clear of Bang Bang with Serenity well up and the other B and the balance of the NS fleet still in a tight group.

The breeze picked up and continued to change direction  as Phantom extended the lead to 3/4 of the leg however with the breeze quite light at the bottom of the course the lead shrunk to 1/4 of a leg clear of Serenity with the balance of the fleet in a tight group with the Sabres well out the back.

Up the next windward the breeze went East again and following the sausage Phantom has re established a big lead with Serenity clear in second. On the final triangle Early Warning had some kite issues letting Bang Bang through but still chasing Serenity. Under the Radar moved into 5th with Hedgehog close behind then Viva la Vida passed Sundaze still just astern.

The breeze was still very fickle with readings between 5 and 18 knots and up to 90 degree shifts keeping eveyone on their toes.

Heading to the top mark for the final time much of the fleet stayed close to the Midway shore to stay out of the tide, Bang Bang being the exceprion going up the middle but this did not pay off, and at the wing mark Phantom was about two full legs in the lead and Serenity well clear in second.

As Phantom finished Early Warning passed Serenity to move into second but with a slow drop let Serenity close the gap at the bottom mark as the next NS was still at the wing mark, Early Warning held on to finish second with Serenity third and Bang Bang next.

Hedgehog was next home ahead of Viva la Vida from Under the Radar, Sundaze with Norwegian Blue last NS14 with Loose Change next and Wind Wizard retired.

On handicap it was

First Serenity Scott Wilkie and Lucas Foerder second Phantom Steve Miller and Lauren Keil and third Hedgehog Fin Crisp and Ben Mills

next week is our final sailing event for the seson.