Browne starts as he means to go on!

With wind forecasts of up to 50 knots, most sailors never even got out of bed on Sunday. But not Mr Browne the new Sailing Secretary. Unflustered by forecasts or white horses he stood resolutely at the top of the slip and said “Right, let's go”. Admittedly he did regret it later when he spent a considerable amount of time inspecting the hull of his boat from the water.

Race Officer McKay set a nice windward leeward course only to have the wind swing by 110 degrees before the off so the course had to be relaid after messieurs Hicks and Browne finished their swim. It was a quick race under the circumstances with Stephen Finnegan leading both A and B Fleet from the off, Luke McIlwaine wasn’t far behind in the Topper and it remains to be seen whether he will win on handicap. The A Fleet although led on the water by the RS400 was probably won by Champion Veteran Jim Linton in the Laser with Connla Conway in second place.

Remember next week after the race Santa is expected at the club. See the web site for details. Then the last race of the year on Boxing Day for the only ever edible trophy, the “Mince Pie Trophy”.

Luke McIlwaine charges through the water at the windward mark.

Stephen Finnegan making it look easy.