Eleven yachts raced on the first Skinners Tuesday Points series at Flushing Sailing Club on April 5 with five Q class, five U class and one in W class. The race Officers Mandy and Dave Owen positioned the committee boat, kindly provided by Jack Penty, on the eastern shore near the St Mawes Castle, writes Chris Jelliss

This gave a good beat to Trefusis in the Westerly wind for all classes.

Q class were first away with David Cunliffe on Encore trying an unsuccesfull port flyer. The spring tide was ebbing strongly and the decision to go right or left of the rhumb line made for some big gains and losses. David Cunliffe later told me that after the not too good start he went up the middle of the course and was 1st around the Trefusis mark.

The fleet then had a starboard pole kite run to Carricknath buoy underneath the lighthouse shed.

U class were next away with Nigel Rowe in his new fractional rig GK24 Kaimana in pole position by the committee boat. After a short starboard leg the fleet split with three boats, Kaimana, Trifle and Popincoota continuing on starboard, while Wilkie and Mary Boon went on a port tack Tacks changed and the fleet changed position as the three yachts now on port went into the Trefusis shore losing the adverse tide. Popincoota Alan Grose was first around the mark followed by Trifle Chris Jelliss. The fleet then followed the Q fleet toward Carricknath. Popicoota held her lead and Wilkie took the inside on the mark with Trifle giving water.

In W class Sweet Friday Len Cheshire had a beat to Trefusis and a different course to Q and U. Len was blessed with three crew and had a great sailover.

Q class followed by U class beat from Carricknath to Pendennis bouy NW of Black Rock. A shorter port pole kite run back to Carricknath saw Tony Statham in Elsa using his asymmetric kite power past Encore. U class remained in their positions. After the second rounding of Carricknath there was a short beat to leave the Black Rock red lateral mark to starboard and a long beat back to the finish line off the club house.

In Q class Elsa took line honours but was beaten on corrective handicap time by Encore. Neil Chaimberlain in Tai mo Shan came in second having made great gains on the final beat up the harbour.

Popincoota took line honours in U class But again was beaten into first place by Wilkie on corrected handicap time followed by Trifle in second place. The racing was tight in U class with 39 seconds separating Wilkie and Trifle, 31 seconds separating Trifle from Popincoota. Close stuff indeed Back to the club where hot suppers, good beer, friendly banter and laughter ended the first of many Tuesday evenings