Port Macquarie Yacht Club runs both annual river and ocean series which are mostly closely contested. For both series PMYC uses performance handicapping to determine race results as opposed to a ratings derived handicapping system, where individual boats potential performance characteristics are used to set handicaps and determine results. Unsurprisingly the different systems often throw up very different results,  with performance handicapping “sharing wins” amongst regular competitors, while ratings based systems frequently result in a few yachts dominating the race results. Both handicap systems have their adherents. 

As might be expected towards the conclusion a series run under performance handicap, there is a convergence of yachts competing for the series win, so much so that after today’s result one point only covers yachts occupying the first three places, with the fourth placed yacht in the series having been an irregular competitor being completely out of contention. 

Modified Farr 1104 Razzamataz 2 currently leads the series from Lexcen 40 Third Man and Catalina 32 Cool Change sitting together one point behind Razzamataz 2. It was however in reverse order that those three yachts crossed the starting line for Sunday’s long ocean, with it being impossible to separate Cool Change and Third Man as they crossed the start line in lockstep, with Razzamataz 2 120 meters astern heading into an 8 – 10 knot SSE breeze.

After the start Third Man briefly headed Cool Change, before going well inshore, allowing Cool Change to trade places. The fastest boat in Sunday’s fleet, Razzamataz 2 went to the lead about 400 meters down the course, and remained in that position. Behind, there was rarely more than 4 – 5 boat lengths between Cool Change and the larger Third Man, with Cool Change  bravely holding the advantage on both upwind legs of the course. 

On the run for home Razzamataz 2 established a healthy lead of about half a kilometre, and was content to run goose winged on the run home. Both chasing yachts set spinnakers for the homeward  journey, with Third Man initially 4 - 5 boat lengths behind Cool Change.  In the lightening conditions that saw the race shortened,  Third Man was able to attack Cool Change from behind enveloping her in “dirty air” from her spinnaker, eventually stalling Cool Change, and in overtaking that yacht in the shadows of the finish, giving her no chance to counter attack, then crossing the finish 4 – 5 boat lengths ahead.

After performance handicaps were applied, while Razzamataz 2 was the runaway line honours winner, she was only able to take third place, with Cool Change second and Third Man recording the handicap win.

With the log jam at the top end of PMYc”s fleet, and only two ocean events scheduled before season’s close, Port Macquarie Yacht Club’s ocean series podium has been decided, with interest now being focussed on which of the three possibles will take out the series.