Temps in the lower 60s and an afternoon forecast for rain and t'storms made for a light turn out for the first pursuit race of the season. Course 4 was displayed which had the competitors sail inside the Great Harbor to starboard. As in the past, the choice of which side to leave Sutton Island was critical. North, a Luders 16 with Pancho Cole at the helm, headed to the MDI side while Sidewinder, Far Out, and Revolution 9 followed. They had good breeze until about 2/3 of the way out east and then all the rigs went up right. A gigantic vacuum glued them to the water while the remainder of the fleet worked the zephyrs on the south side of the island. Va Pensiero got to East Bunker Ledge first with Gaylark, Eventyr, and Flirt in pursuit.
The RC shortened the course to send competitors to Grt Cranberry, SW Harbor, the mouth of the Sound and back to S. The breeze was fickle off of Islesford and Va Pensiero ran out of gas first. The trailing boats saw the parking area and headed up to avoid the still water surface. Gaylark led the fleet home by almost 10 minutes and took the gun for spinnaker and masters. Congratulations to Dr. Kaighn Smith and crew who masterfully worked the light windshifts to their advantage. Laney Lu won the non-spinnaker division with Mark and Sandy Kryder. The Kryders were also the first-all family boat to finish.
1. Gaylark Dr. Kaighn Smith
2. Eventyr Gordon Haaland
3. Flirt Michael Cook
4. Far Out Hal Kroeger
5. Revolution 9 John Joseph
6. Va Pensiero Joe Weber
7. Ranger Ken Weg
8. Sidewinder Tom Rolfes
9. Laney Lu Mark Kryder
10. North Pancho Cole
