Sailors relished the increase in capacity at Lake Keepit when they took to the water last weekend for the fourth heat of the Head of the River. Lake Keepit Sailing Club race secretary Tim Corben reported that with the dam at over 10 per cent capacity the sailing was amazing. "All the sailors looked in disbelief at how much closer the water's edge had come to our clubhouse," he said. "Smiles were permanently etched on faces as boats were rigged and taken out to enjoy the steady south-easterly breeze that was there." The morning races were over a very short upwind and back course, and there were at least five of those. "Starts were hotly contested as were the beats to windward," Corben said. "The starting was a bit rusty to begin with but the contests improved with the practices." Adjustments were made over lunch ready for the main event, which got underway at 1.30pm. READ ALSO: "The eight boat fleet leaped across the start line and headed upwind on the long river course set for the day's race," Corben reported. "Three catamarans, three lasers and two large trailer yachts headed for the buoys marking the course to the east then back to the west." Kevin Overton in his laser won the start but was reeled in by the faster catamarans and Mick Bradfield also in a laser. Tamworth's Doug Whiteman, sailing a Nacra 5m cat, soon established a good lead and the rest of the fleet were quite bunched. Whiteman extended his lead on the second lap of the course and took the finishing gun two minutes ahead of Michael Juchau in a Gemini catamaran. After applying the Australian Sailing Yardstick and the club's individual handicaps, Bradfield was declared the winner from Overton with Keith Garret in his trainable-yacht "Slippery" in third. Slippery lived up to her name as two of the crew ended up overboard during the sail. They were retrieved safely. This Sunday will see heat five of the club championships. Sign up for the Namoi Valley Independents weekly email newsletter.
"The eight boat fleet leaped across the start line and headed upwind on the long river course set for the day's race," Corben reported.
"Three catamarans, three lasers and two large trailer yachts headed for the buoys marking the course to the east then back to the west."
Kevin Overton in his laser won the start but was reeled in by the faster catamarans and Mick Bradfield also in a laser.
Tamworth's Doug Whiteman, sailing a Nacra 5m cat, soon established a good lead and the rest of the fleet were quite bunched. Whiteman extended his lead on the second lap of the course and took the finishing gun two minutes ahead of Michael Juchau in a Gemini catamaran.
After applying the Australian Sailing Yardstick and the club's individual handicaps, Bradfield was declared the winner from Overton with Keith Garret in his trainable-yacht "Slippery" in third.
Slippery lived up to her name as two of the crew ended up overboard during the sail. They were retrieved safely.
This Sunday will see heat five of the club championships.
