Sicarius and Flasheart battle through the gales and deliver rousing finale to Emu Point-Green Island contest

Gale-like conditions last Saturday put paid to many Princess Royal Sailing Club skippers and crews venturing out.

However, Sicarius and Flasheart braved the weather and produced a battle-royale in the mixed keel boat division.

The howling easterly forced the Flying Fifteen fleet to stay on shore and only three intrepid skippers and crews from the mixed keel division faced the starter for the Emu Point-Green Island and return race.

Only a minute after the flying start, Ines, skippered by Alastair Knowlden, was forced to retire with a torn headsail.

That left Mark McRae in Sicarius and Stephen Lee in Flasheart to battle it out.

Stephen Brown, without a crew on his Mary Maitland, found himself aboard Sicarius and the extra weight and hands may have proved the difference between the two quick boats.

Sicarius was always in the lead though Flasheart was never far off the pace, and both rounded Green Island safely – where many boats over the years have come to grief in the tricky passage.

Sicarius was still in front when they reached the harbour channel, but Flasheart caught and passed its rival.

However, just as Lee was looking like spoiling McRae’s day, up went a spinnaker on Sicarius to quickly stifle what had seemed like a golden chance for Flasheart.

In the end, McRae was four minutes ahead at the finish, easily taking the race and recording the fastest time.

It certainly was a quick race with both yachts finishing in under two hours.

Flasheart wasn’t disgraced with its second placing after an exciting tussle.

On February 21 the running of the Dymes Cup, the most prestigious PRSC trophy with a history going back to 1910, will be held.