Aussie Summer Series at Castle Cove Sailing Club after Race 5

Castle Cove’s new ‘Aussie Summer Series’ © Rob Smith

About a third of the way through Castle Cove’s new ‘Aussie Summer Series’ and there are some Djokovics & Nadals coming to the fore, and a few Andy Murrays waiting in the wings.

The interest in racing through the cold and usually quiet months has been good with 29 different boats out in the 5 races thus far, varying from Cadet through to Int 14 with pretty much everything in-between, including some visitors. Although the coldest stuff may be just be arriving – Portland Harbour has served up good sailable conditions every Saturday since New Year bar one.

After two wins and three other top 3 results Nick Grace is enjoying leading overall with no associated organizational responsibilities after being chief co-ordinator (and 18th overall) of the 143 boat Contender Worlds on his home water here last year. He is closely followed on the result sheet (not always as close on the water) by relative Contender newcomer Rob Smith, who has Adam Bowers’ Osprey breathing down his neck helped by usual guest helm Jock Fellows, enjoying the semi-fleet racing with the other 2 Ospreys.

It’s great to see that after a year of excellent CCSC youth performances around the country, club teenagers Emily White and Ross McFarlane are keeping the above bunch honest in their Laser Radial and Topper respectively, and elsewhere there are 5 other youths improving their game pre-spring.

However all above are aware that after a 7th in their Int14 Worlds again at Weymouth earlier in 2011 – Sam Pascoe and Alex Knight are dangerously lurking with a scoreline of sailed 3, won 3!, and generally providing excellent spectator sport, together with the occasional presence of atleast one of the local Moths lapping furiously.

Results after 5 Races: (top ten)