The start of Port Macquarie Yacht Club’s river “A” race run last Sunday 14 th of September was delayed two hours, resulting in “golden zone” sailing conditions. For the five yachts that turned out to contest the event all the world seemed in tune on that fine afternoon, as they lined up for the start in around 12 knots of northerly breeze.

The first start on a flood tide saw skippers fighting to keep their yachts from crossing the start line prematurely, unsuccessfully as it turned out, resulting in a general recall of all yachts. With the experience gained from the aborted first start, yachts negotiated the second start without incident, with Ninja, the latest addition to the PMYC fleet, and Solar Coaster being prominent at the front of the fleet.

Galene with what appeared to be a number three headsail, appeared to be slightly underpowered, and in company with Tribal Wave, returning after an extended lay off were in close contact in what was a well contested start.

Solar Coaster, in what will be her last outing for several weeks, took full advantage of a good start and pulled away from the smaller Ninja on the first leg to the top turning mark. Mid fleet, Cool Change began chasing the smaller Ninja, which was relishing the conditions. Galene was pulling away from Tribal Wave, which appeared to be feeling the results of her lay off.

Solar Coaster was first to round the top mark, while Ninja was second, followed by, in order Cool Change, Galene and Tribal Wave. The crew work onboard Cool Change, however, saw a very efficient mark rounding, allowing Cool Change to swap places with Ninja, whose none too sloppy mark rounding, in almost any other circumstance would have retained her
position. Galene having made up time was close behind having put some space between herself and Tribal Wave.

On the reaching and downwind legs, Solar Coaster extended her overall lead. Cool Change chased, but was unable to eat into Solar Coaster’s lead. A battle was developing for the on water third place between Galene and Ninja, with Galene gaining the upper hand on the downwind leg, establishing a lead she was not to surrender.

On the second circuit with yachts widely spaced along the course, crews were able to concentrate on fine tune to wring the maximum performance from yachts. On one yacht, Ninja, this resulted in her under standing the top mark, requiring a somewhat impromptu backing of her headsail to round the mark.

On a day where the wind held up and ran true for the entire duration of the race, while everyone who sailed won, Solar Coaster was first to cross the finish line, and on handicap Cool Change took the honours from Ninja by seven seconds. For all who competed last Sunday, for a time, on that fine afternoon, nothing else mattered, and the world was in tune.