It’s the worst kept secret of all time, but the Port Macquarie Yacht Club afternoon “River B” sails are
when the linen trousered espadrille wearing brigade would feel completely at home, if only for a
while.
Picture the scene, a balmy winter’s afternoon, the gentle 6 – 8 knots or so breezes barely sufficient
to propel the cruising racers along, leaving the stripped out racers that occupy the pointy end of the
race course showing off their boat’s speed and manoeverability, while banter between the cruiser
racer types is peppered with the occasional good natured riposte to the various hails from boats
ahead or astern, sometimes correctly called, while conversations on-board may or may not relate to
sailing.
Often that’s the intent of crews, and sailing around waiting for the prestart on Sunday’s River B
event that was the vibe, until the Officer of the Day (OOD) radioed all yachts and commenced the
official pre race countdown.
Things then became more serious, with banter becoming more businesslike, with skippers winding
up their crews, to get yachts up to speed in the light conditions. A close cross between Andrew
Walmsley’s Enticer and Teddy Clausen’s Cool Change in the prestart drew admiration for the
seamanship involved from other skippers, and after an otherwise drama free prestart, Enticer won
the start, followed by Cool Change, Solar Coaster, Zig Zag, then Tribal Wave followed by Mimosa
and Third Man trailing at the start. The Trimaran 2XS having boatspeed on all the monohull yachts
quickly overhauled the monohulls, and was not headed during the race.
Enticer, sailed by newly anointed commodore, Andrew Walmsley quickly skipped away from the
monohull fleet and like 2XS, it too was not overtaken by any of the other monohulls. Back in the
fleet, after much jostling following the start, Zig Zag settled into second place with Solar Coaster
nipping at it’s heels for most of the first of the two laps sailed, before dropping back. Light and
variable winds throughout the race kept crews on their toes with the finishing order becoming more
or less established at the conclusion of the first of the two laps of the course sailed.
Particular mention is given to Tribal Wave, which was particularly well sailed and in it’s first race
obtained a creditable mid fleet finish, and to Mimosa, which after starting poorly clawed its way
back to finish well.
At the post race social at Jimmy’s Bar in the Westport Club, the highs and lows of the racing were
highlights of the lively conversation between crew.

Adrian DuVernet