Zuri takes handicap honours in division two for Neil Worrell in gusty south-westerly winds

Last Saturday’s gusty south-westerly wind was strong enough to deter many skippers and crews from competing in harbour course events.

The Flying Fifteens opted not to sail and two division-three yachts were out before their start and one skipper thought it unwise to go on and returned to the club.

This left Karen Timmins in Grey Moose to follow division two when they started and have a training sail.

Six division-two yachts ventured out but Bob Giles in Footloose thought it better not to go leaving a fleet of five to battle the unseasonal south-westerly that ripped across the harbour at a steady 22 knots with gusts up to 25.

The interest now was how would Joker perform in the conditions after his stirring win the previous week.

Stephen Brown had Mary Maitland winning the start from Josh Hughes in Joker and was looking good.

Neil Worrell’s decision to go JAM was a sensible one as he was able to stay in touch throughout as he shadowed the leading boats with spinnakers.

It was good to see Peter Bane having his first outing after a long spell in Dunluce and was doing well in the early part.

Stephen Lee had a sluggish start with Flasheart and soon got into his normal rhythm to surge to the lead after a spinnaker duel with Mary Maitland and Joker.

Disaster struck Joker on a spinnaker run when the gooseneck holding the boom to the mast parted company and they were forced to retire.

The damage wasn’t great and Joker should be back this weekend.

Dunluce also suffered rigging problems with a broken outhaul but they sailed on to finish under jib.

Zuri continued to put pressure on the leaders who were about to finish.

Stephen Lee put Flasheart over the line just ahead of Brown’s Mary Maitland to be fastest but third on handicap.

Brown was second and Zuri won on corrected time in a mighty effort from Worrell and his hardworking crew.