Early Helm action proves a thriller at Dell Quay

Races seven and eight tin the general handicap Early Helm series at Dell Quay Sailing Club produced some close-fought action.
There was close racing at Dell QuayThere was close racing at Dell Quay
There was close racing at Dell Quay

Races seven and eight tin the general handicap Early Helm series at Dell Quay Sailing Club produced some close-fought action.

The forecast was a squally easterly force four to five with race officer Bill Dawber setting an excellent course allowing for two good beats down the harbour in 45/50-minute races.

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In both races the RS 400 sailed by John Wilburn and crewed by Lawrence Kies pulled away from a mixed fleet of single-handed boats made up of Laser, Finn, Pico, Supernova and Solo classes.

Early Helm series racing at Dell QuayEarly Helm series racing at Dell Quay
Early Helm series racing at Dell Quay

Both junior sailors, Aimee Morley (Laser 4.7) and Alex Wilburn (Pico) sailed extremely well in the challenging conditions successfully completing both races.

After handicaps applied to the Pico and Laser 4.7,, Alex just beat Aimee in the first race and then Aimee just beat Alex in the second race. It was great to see both juniors enjoying such close racing and showing their experience in such gusty winds.

The remainder of the fleet also enjoyed close tactical racing, and after application of handicap the top three places were taken by the same boats in both races.

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Roger Puttock (Solo) comfortably secured an excellent two 1st places followed by Mark Harper (Solo) with two 2nd places and Sue Manning (Laser 4.7) taking two well deserved third places.

The Supernova of Duncan Llewelyn and Finn of Andrew Buchanan also had some great racing, regularly mixing it with other Solos of John Purdy and Nikki Buchanan.

At the end of the day all had stories to tell of close racing in what was a challenging day.

Only one point separates the top two, Roger Puttock and Sue Manning.