Skipper Murray Howson performs well in the lead-up to upcoming Perth Vipers titles

Viper skipper Murray Howson had a day to remember on the water on Saturday when he not only won the race, but dominated in the two practice races leading up to the Vipers titles in Perth this weekend.

Howson, the skipper of Chinese Moccasin, blitzed his three rivals in the fleet with slick spinnaker work and quick jibes to go on to win handsomely and record the fastest time.

There was some pressure from Michael Cameron skippering Bite Me early in the race over the harbour course, but Howson increased his lead at every mark.

Cameron performed well under the hammer when Fang, skippered by Tom Mears, and Alice, handled by Bruce Mattinson, closed in on him.

Bite Me finished in second place while Fang, who had only two personnel on board, gained third place.

Four Vipers will represent Princess Royal Sailing Club in Perth and could cause some upsets among the city boats.

Division one had a handicap start, which saw Geoff Oliver away first skippering Excitabull, followed a minute later by Harold Keay in Shagabull.

Murray Deere’s Wild One was the scratch boat and had the huge task of chasing down the two leaders.

Keay slipped passed Oliver’s smaller boat to take the lead.

Shagabull and Keay enjoy a handicap start and once in front, they tend to stay there, and Keay did this again on Saturday.