Lies, lies damned lies and statistics. It has been said so many times in so many different ways, but sometimes the numbers are simply unarguable, as last Sunday’s river race “C” demonstrated. 

Ideal sailing conditions of 8 to 12 knots of wind saw five starters in the opening race of the 2026 river series. The yachts in order of descending length were the forty foot Third Man, thirty eight foot Solar Coaster, thirty two foot Cool Change,  twenty seven foot Tribal Wave,  and the twenty five foot Ninja, all competitive at the start with the fleet expected stretch out over the course of the event. 

The usually consistently good starter, Third Man, found herself squeezed out of the start line and crossed the wrong side of the start buoy and had to recross the start line then chase the remainder of the fleet up the first leg to the Hibbard Ferry. At the front Solar Coaster took the early lead, but was run down on the line at the Hibbard Ferry by the well sailed Cool Change, while Ninja, sailing well above her diminutive length was third at Hibbard.  

With “long river races” being sailed in three sections, and the second leg consisting of  windward and leeward legs, as was expected Solar Coaster took and held the lead up to the turning mark. Ninja sailing a brilliant tactical race, was second at the turning mark, Cool Change third, then Third Man followed by Tribal Wave. 

The return leg saw spinnakers flying from most yachts, although Ninja, without a spinnaker was unable to remain competitive, and fell back through the fleet.   Solar Coaster retained her lead, and under the big sunshine of her bright yellow spinnaker Third Man made up much ground to finish second across the line. Cool Change was next, followed by Tribal Wave then Ninja. 

With a full season of 2024 statistics showing the correct handicap placings should be, Cool Change first, Third Man second and Tribal Wave third, the mathematics was unarguable, with the handicapper later confirming that result, and Cool Change making a strong showing in defence of her 2024 title.

Post race, and before any competing yacht had been able to return to their mooring, a front from the south with winds gusting to 45+ knots hit the returning fleet. Ninja experienced an engine problem, and was forced ashore, while Tribal Wave dropped anchor, with her crew deeming it prudent, even though her skipper had to go for a swim, to abandon ship, in order to attend PMYC prize giving and Christmas Party. On board Third Man, while the skipper and helmsman were able to get ashore in Third Man’s tender, crewman Zac, considered it too dangerous for the tender to return against the wind and chop, and elected to swim to shore. 

No one could argue with the two swimmers choices as both fronted up at the Christmas function, which was widely considered on of the best of recent years. Commodore Andrew Walmsley MC’d the event with wit and charisma, ably assisted by Andrew Macleod and Jim Bignell, while the catering by Frank Lagudi set a new bench mark. 

Back to business of sailing, Third Man took out the Ocean racing Pointscore, in addition to the majority of major trophies, Cool Change took out the River racing pointscore, while the Katiward Broken Oar (hard luck) trophy went to Kookaburra 11 for almost sinking during the inshore regatta.