Potts takes the honours in penultimate Winter Series race

The cold offshore wind was hidden from the competitors as they rigged-up in the compound, with the breeze blowing off the top of the cliff and leaving the club as a natural sun trap.

However, once on the water, things became a little livelier and colder.

The start of the race saw Potts pull away first in his Laser, followed by Derroll Pedder, in his Solution, and then Beth Elliott, in a Topaz.

The first leg was a beat, against the last of the flood tide, up the coast to the Kingscliff buoy but problems occurred early for Rob Locket when his carbon tiller extension literally “came off in his hand”.

He did well not to capsize as he regained control but was forced to limp back to shore.

As the rest of the fleet rounded the first mark, it was evident Potts had carved himself a comfortable lead but it was on this second leg out to the Seaward buoy that disaster struck Peter Downer in his Comet.

On the dead run out, his boat started to rock and roll and it wasn’t long before he found himself in the water.

The club’s rescue boat was very soon on the scene but by that time Downer had righted his dinghy and decided, in view of the very cold and variable winds, that he too would retreat back to the shore.

The third leg, a very tight beat, got everyone comfortably in to AWS buoy before an exhilarating reach to the Eastcliff mark and a beat back to the line.

It was of little surprise that Potts had a very clear lead at the end of the first lap, while Andy Dunnett, sailing a Laser, was fighting with Pedder for second place.

The second lap only strengthened Potts’ lead and it became apparent that Dunnett was getting the better of Pedder, so firming-up his position.

This lap passed without incident and the third and final lap saw very little change in places, with Potts romping home to take the winning gun.

Results: Winter Series - race six: 1 Laser – Ken Potts, 2 Laser – Andy Dunnett, 3 Solution – Derroll Pedder.