Waglan 3,4,5

The wind gods weren't letting anything on as the race committee prepared for departure on Sunday, the 3rd of November. Overhead it was overcast and grey. The predicted Force 4-5 hadn't arrived and crews were trying hard not to look, well, glum. Mind you, the Aberdeen Boat Club's excellent breakfast buffet and delicious omelettes helped raise spirits and it wasn't long before the smiles and banter returned. Crews traipsed down to the dock carrying sails, bags and other bulky items while conversation, as expected, turned to the new gangway. But that's a story best told by designers and engineers who know more about these things . . .

With regular race officer, Alex Johnston, on leave, current commodore Chris Pooley took over the reigns for the day. Also on the committee boat to lend assistance and share experience were rear commodore sailing, Steve Perret, and Gencom member, Felix Mak.

Anxious to get in the scheduled Races 3 & 4, the RO had the committee boat, Shun Fung, leave early. It was soon powering across the Lamma Channel, headed for Tung O Wan, or the Lamma Patch as it is known among sailors.

On arrival, the RO spent some time circling the bay looking for a suitable position to lay the courses. Finally, at 1005, Shun Fung dropped anchor and the management team came up with Courses 2 and 4. Sai Fuk busied himself laying the top marks – one for PHS and one for IRC.

When laying a course, wind direction plays a big part. The easterly was reaching 12 knots and Felix Mak had to keep up a lively exchange with support staff until both he and the RO were satisfied with where the top and bottom marks were placed.

At 1050, Pooley made his welcome and 10 minutes later, Wild Card, Witchcraft and Zesst, crossed the line for Race 3. Five minutes later, it was PHS A and B's turn. Overhead the sky was clearing. It was a perfect start to the day except for 2 Easy which suffered steering problems near the shore of Lamma Island, and retired.

On handicap, winner of IRC 1 was Wild Card, and IRC 2, Witchcraft, with Zesst in 2nd.

Pooley moved quickly and had Race 4 going at 1200 sharp. IRC 1 and 2 were sent off on the same course, with the same wind, and ended with the same order of winners. The PHS A and B divisions had to wait a little for Boss to finish Race 3 so their start for Race 4 was delayed until 1220. Again, it was the same order of finishers with Boss putting in a better performance than its previous race.

Race 4 ended when Boss crossed the finish line at 13:15:18. The question then was whether to hold another race. The RO decided to find out what the competitors wanted and the IRC boats replied 'yes' while the PHS boats felt they'd had enough racing for the day.

Race 5 for the IRC boats started on the hour (1300) and, again, finished in the same order as the previous two races. Last boat home was Zesst at 13:47:50.

Three hours and three races for the IRC boats had made for an invigorating day on the water.