BLUSTERY conditions around Mylor Yacht Club put off some of the regular racers for the latest Bay Series race on Saturday, writes Chris Davis.

Indeed, the race officer was forced to postpone the start until the sea breeze arrived. However, the two boats which did turn out had a very close race, and they say that it was both enjoyable and fascinating.

Wizard of Clee, sailing without a spinnaker and fitted with a wing keel, leading to significant leeway in a very light breeze, had a tough time in the early stages of the race and could only watch as the long-keeled Contessa 26 Mary Boon, manned by John Cruise, pulled steadily away.

However, the wind built and allowed Wizard to generate enough speed to overtake her opponent by the windward mark. There then followed a two spinnaker reaches, a further short beat and a beam-ish reach to get to the finish line off North Bank.

Mary Boon set her large spinnaker and gradually whittled away Wizard’s lead, only to see that hard work neutralised on the beat and beam reach.

However, Cruise decided to risk setting his spinnaker early for the final run from Governer to the finish and the gamble paid off.

Once again, Wizard’s crew could only watch as Mary Boon first overtook them and gradually pulled away, to win by about ninety seconds, after about two hours twenty minutes racing.

RESULT: 1st Mary Boon - J Cruise, 2nd Wizard of Clee - T Hardman.