Very chilly out there this morning. Brrr.

Light winds meant the race committee couldn't fit in the two races they planned, but as they had scheduled for two, it meant we only had 2 hours for the one race. They set a very short course, which proved to be the correct decision.

We got a good start beating back in from the line to the mainland shore with winds just above 10 knots. With the northerly winds the start had been set offshore, and the course was then around that mainland day mark, then back out over towards the island, then back to the gate by the boat, and then hopefully do it all again.

As I said, good start, clear air, and Jumbuck pointing well with good speed. We were third boat at the windward mark with Jitterbug the J111 leading, and No Chance the First 35 just on our bow. All very close.

We managed to roll No Chance downwind to the second mark off the Island shore, but the beat back in dying flukey winds and an ebbing tide, we found it tricky.

Jitterbug called it well, getting to the gate alongside the finish boat, where the officials decided to end the race. They also cancelled race two.

The rest of us all struggled to make it to the finish in super light winds, shifts of up to 40 degrees, and that ever present building ebb tide.

A well sailed 1720 Jar Racing and a Grand Surprise named Flying Boat, just squeezed ahead of No Chance to the line, who in turn snuck over 30 seconds before we made it. All close stuff, and once we crossed the line, the wind really did dissappear. So those still aiming for the finish did struggle. Some were going backwards in the tide.

Heading back in we all shivered away but felt we'd sailed well, and certainly we enjoyed our hot sausage rolls and cold Fosters motoring back up river. Once we got into LTSC clubhouse, the handicaps were applied which gave us the result.

Jitterbug 1st, Jar Racing 2nd, and Jumbuck a very handy 3rd.

Small gains really made by sticking with boats with higher handicaps than ours, but it felt good to pick up our bottle of wine trophy - so thanks to Rob, Chris and Chris, Tom and Verity for a super mornings sail. Not one mistake.........really good crew work.

Our series standing has now nudged up to 5th place, and we've one last race next week to try and climb higher still. The boat above is 10 points higher and the boat below only 1 point behind us, so it will be a tough ask. But if we repeat our crew work of this week, who knows!

Cheers
John