Luggers on the line

With a fresh south west wind blowing, and a strong spring tide running, eight luggers made the starting line for last Monday's race.

It was a rather short course of four rounds because of the strength of the wind and the swell of the sea.

First away from the starting line was the Percy Mitchell, closely followed by the Cuckoo and Enterprise. By going off on a different tack towards the windward mark, the Percy Mitchell was first to arrive. As the race went on, that was the same order completing the first round. During the second lap, by some really good sailing, skipper George Dart of Cuckoo overtook the Percy Mitchell on the windward mark to take the lead. The Enterprise and Mary were having a real tussle for third place, with Enterprise just taking it.

Further back in the fleet there was some keen sailing between Puffin, Scrumpy and Moondance. Places were changing quite regularly.

The third round saw the Percy Mitchell once again in the lead because the Cuckoo had to put in a short tack to make the windward buoy. Enterprise was still in front of Mary.

Bringing up the rear Moondance was clear of Puffin and Scrumpy. In Round four the Enterprise lost ground to the Cuckoo.

Just when Cuckoo was doing well, she fouled the Katherine and had to do her penalty turns. This enabled the Enterprise to take second place.

By this time the Percy Mitchell had increased her lead by some distance. There was still keen sailing going on at the rear of the fleet. Club President, Robbie Driver, sailed a commendable race in Puffin to overhaul both Moondance and Scrumpy.

Meanwhile the Percy Mitchell, with time and room to spare, won the race from Enterprise and Mary quite easily.

Result of the Race: 1, Percy Mitchell, D McCrea; 2, Enterprise, J Adkin; 3, Mary, D Boalch; 4, Cuckoo, G Dart; 5, Puffin, R Driver; 6, Scrumpy, N Harding; 7, Moondance, G Pook; 8, Katherine, T Tolman.

Result by handicap: 1, Puffin sailed by R Driver.