Stephen Lee-skippered Flasheart secures first victory with new mast, Crazy clinches Flying Fifteens triumph

Division two skipper Stephen Lee put it all together on Saturday in a King George Sound event to narrowly win his first race since losing his mast a few months ago. Lee has been scoring minor placings since the new mast was installed and every skipper worries about losing another, but Lee put that all behind him as he sailed one of his best races for the year. Five division two yachts plus Geoff Oliver’s division one Excitabull began their quest for glory in a steady 16-knot easterly that cropped up unexpectedly — it is usually replaced by gentle south-westerlies this time of the year. This has been a strange season weather-wise but many sailors like the fresher breezes for quicker times. Chris Oldham won the start with Joker, while Oliver had a rather sluggish one but soon had Excitabull cranked up to join the others. All boats were moving well as they headed into the sound for the long leg out to five fathoms and back into the harbour. Lee was doing extremely well with Flasheart and sitting in second position behind the leading Excitabull, with Joker the big threat. Stephen Brown with a skeleton crew on Mary Maitland was sailing well as he kept in touch with the leaders. Neil Worrell was doing better with Zuri after a slow start, as was Mark McRae skippering Sicarius also with only one crew. All six yachts entered the harbour under spinnaker in a colourful display and all eyes were on Flasheart and Joker as they chased Excitabull to the finish. Oliver crossed the line well ahead but could manage only the fastest time due to his huge handicap. It wouldn’t concern Oliver too much as he just loves his sailing. Flasheat was next to finish and won the race from a fast-finishing Joker by a mere seconds. Brown in Mary Maitland was third in another fine effort. Two Flying Fifteens raced around a harbour course which saw Aileen Lucas win the start with Crazy, which turned out to have been a good omen because she went on to win the race on corrected time from Simon Lucas in FForever Young. The strong easterly was not to Aileen Lucas’ liking but she sailed very well in the 16 knots. Simon Lucas hit the front early and opened up a handy lead in the knowledge that he had to be two minutes in front at the finish for any chance of a win. Throughout he could get only a minute-and-a-half in front as Crazy stayed close enough to eventually win the race on handicap in a wonderful display. FForever Young was second and fastest once again.