Kim Klaka took line honours but Annette O'Mahoney had her best result yet!
Another fun day out on the lake in some better breeze conditions but with the threat of rainfall during the afternoon.
The forecast was for solid 6 - 15 knot breezes from the west consistently all afternoon but with the chance of 1mm of H2O at 100% between 12 and 2pm. I thought the rain would scare many skippers away and perhaps it did but we still had 15 boats head on out to register. The first shower passed over around 12.10 and wet lawns and paths etc but no skippers.
We set up on the southern course using the jetty as our start line and created a fairly even course. You could start on starboard or port tack. It is always risky bluffing your way over the start line on port tack and Donks failed when Mark Lovelady tagged his stern just as Donks thought there was hope. Huge apology to Mark for that interference. That was race 10 and the breeze had changed a little more southerly by then so the port attempt was a viable option.
The afternoon started with four good races in which Kim Klaka led the fleet then we rested and sought shelter under the large pavilion which had been chockers full of birthday party families just a short half hour before. There were a lot of cars in the parking lot when we arrived which made it difficult for the skippers.
Back to the racing, our wet break after race 4 unfortunately cost us three good skippers. They chose to head home and watch Bathurst, F1 or the SA Cricket Test. The remaining fleet had huge fun with Kim, Donks, Mark Lovelady, Graeme Elliott, Greg Reynolds and Ross scratching for a lead or a podium. There was a notable podium that needs special mention and that was Annette O'Mahoney who chased Kim across the line in race 8 and very nearly beat him. Well sailed Annette, onwards and upwards.
Today was the last for Donks, as he departs for South Africa on Monday for the DF95 Globals. Thank you all for your support over the past two years of qualifying and training. It's a big deal to many skippers who crave competition against the very best in our class. The irony is our national champion and the guy that came second race at your club nearly every weekend! Many of you would have been very competitive had you put up your hand to join us. Maybe in 2028.
To follow the results - https://www.df95racing.com/2026-df95-globals/heats-and-results-board
Event Results - Top 5
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