13th September 2025
Boyd Builders Warm Up Series - Race #2

Results
Photos by Dan Parkin

_{Tansie and Darcy Higgins enjoy a great outing in their Sabot}

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More photos

Clarence River Sailing Club

Saturday 13th September 2025
Boyd Builders Warm Up Series - Race #2

A better than forecast north easterly provided very enjoyable conditions for Race #2 of the Boyd Builders Warm Up Series.Averaging around seven knots and gusting over ten, it came in early and stayed in for the entire three lap event. Subtle but never-ending wind shifts kept crews busy and demanded constant steering and trim adjustments to stay competitive.

Two divisions contested the event.Catamarans were first away followed a minute later by the monohull fleet.A clean start and single tack to the top mark kept both fleets tightly packed until well into the first lap.A favourable shift then randomly selected one boat from each division and shot them ahead leaving their rivals wondering what had happened.With the advantage of clear wind and water, the two lucky skippers further consolidated their gains and both went on to claim the prize in their respective divisions.Amazingly – when yardsticks were calculated only four seconds separated the winning boats.

Arrow skipper Tony Rose was the fortunate catamaran winner and it was a great way to celebrate his first race of the season.The responsive and nimble 14’ Arrow is perfectly suited to these conditions and in the hands of an experienced skipper like Tony very difficult to beat.Coming in second was Mosquito crew Greg Lee and Deb Michell.Although more challenging in shifty conditions, Greg and Deb sailed their 16’ cat flawlessly and clocked a very competitive time.Third place went to Nacra 16 skipper Ben Higgins.Ben led the fleet in the early stages and had circumstances been slightly different, could have been a close contender at the finish.

In the monohull division, Laser skipper Peter Zietsch was the beneficiary of the decisive wind shift and couldn’t believe his luck when an ongoing series of lifts kept coming his way.Taking advantage of being able to steer a tighter line and therefore shorter distance, he was able to keep his rivals at bay long enough to secure the win.Second place went to Neil Burgess.Neil was always in striking distance and on the final sprint to the line closed the gap even more.Deb Parkin was next home in third.Deb’s forte is a stronger breeze and she did well in the moderate conditions.

In a lovely bit of nostalgia the Club enjoyed hosting a Sabot for the first time in many years.These classic little boats were once the mainstay of the junior fleet and many CRSC members started their sailing career in one of them.Tansie Higgins and daughter Darcy had a great afternoon completing a couple of laps in their immaculate little craft and brought back many fond memories to the older members who once sailed them.

See the website for full results and photos.

A big thanks to race official Bob Fish, Dan Parkin on the rescue boat and photos, and race sponsors Dennis and Vicky Boyd.

Sailing is on again next Saturday (20th) for Race #3 of the Boyd Builders Warm Up Series.

Visitors or anyone wanting to have a go at sailing are most welcome to come along. Start time is around 1.00 pm each Saturday.

More details on our website. https://crsc.yachting.org.au

Results

Recorded Time	Elapsed Time	YS	YS Cr'd Time	Class	Skipper	Crew	Sail No

Monos
01:15:15	01:11:15	114.0	01:02:30	Laser	P Zietsch		143427
01:17:10	01:13:10	114.0	01:04:11	Laser	N Burgess		151965
01:22:00	01:18:00	118.5	01:05:49	Laser Radial	D Parkin		176906
DNF		167.0		Sabot	T Higgins	Darcy	3538

Cats
00:58:15	00:55:15	88.5	01:02:26	Arrow	T Rose		1761
01:06:40	01:03:40	78	01:21:37	Mosquito	G Lee	D Michell	1833
01:09:40	01:06:40	78	01:25:28	Nacra 16 Sq	B Higgins		69

13/09/2025
Bob Fish officiating, Dan Parkin rescue boat & photos, Greg Lee race registrar