Todays the skippers of the 28 odd CJ’S and VJ’S were competing for the Kaiapoi Pennant, using the Mark Foy system.

Peter Fisher was the race officer for today assisted by myself. Peter set a course that allowed for a decent beat to the first mark, a short triangle back up to the top mark, a long run with a dog leg down to the bottom mark and shortish beat to the finish. You should all remember it as you did it seven times.

After yesterday’s horrendous winds, the sailors enjoyed a light north easterly for most of the races. Other than the usual pile ups at the top mark there were not too many incidents, a few tangles here and there but everyone was able to free themselves and continue racing.

I was quite impressed with the starts with nobody having to be called back. A few who did cross early returned of their own accord. With the glare off the water, it was quite hard to see the outer start mark in the early races. The race times averaged around the 12-to-14-minute mark. Those off zero did very well in most of heats and took advantage of having clear air. It was harder for the those off latter start times to work their way through the big fleet but this made it interesting for us watching from the cheap seats.

The number off boats on the water provided quite a spectacle. Congratulations to those on the podium today, Chris Greer, Colin Freeman & Clyde Rogers, keep up the good work.

At the race briefing today Peter noted the passing of Bruce Edgar. Many of you will have known him well due to his long association with the club and his outstanding model building and racing skills. Mr. Edgar was my Art teacher at Burnside High back in the mid Seventies and it was well known that he was a top model yacht sailor. I don’t recall learning anything in his classes but have vivid memories of his stripy flared trousers, psychedelic shirts and wiry afro-like hair.

The winner of today’s best dressed sailor is Anzan, there was no second.

Russell Wenham, Assistant race officer