The first session of the Docklands YC short-course series saw five races started. In general the winds were southerlies of between five to ten knots, but shifts, calm patches, and gusts of up to fifteen knots made conditions tricky for our four-boat returning fleet. With no clearly favoured side, the upwind legs saw the boats scatter widely over the course only to converge at the top marks in generally close company. 

Race 1: two laps
The first lap is visited by Lady Cutler ferry, who carefully steer to avoid disturbing anyone's wind, giving her revelers some extra colour. Our thanks to her captain and crew. 
        Christine Russell Steve David

Race 2: two laps
On the first leg, Christine and David sail neatly into a huge hole in the wind, opening up a gap that even a major course error by the front-runners isn't enough to let them overcome. 
        Steve Russel Christine David. 

Race 3: three laps
After a terrible start from all sailors, Christine and Steve are neck and neck until _another_ course error sees Steve turn for a fourth lap, opening an opportunity for  Christine to finish well clear. Best read the SI' s Steve!
        Christine Steve Russell David. 

Race 4: three laps
Christine struggles from last at the end of the first lap,but the race isn't long enough to let her overcome the victorious Steve
        Steve Christine Russell David 

Race 5: two laps 
Russell leads all the way, but luck [according to Russell] or careful sailing [according to David] lets David advance from last to second.  
        Russell David Steve Christine
 

After five races, our top two are neck and neck: a countback all the way to their worst score sees Steven Griffith ahead of Christine Elliott by literally the thinnest possible margin. 

The Docklands YC fleet will next be seen racing at Ballarat for the Victorian state titles on the 19th and 20th of Jan, and racing will return to Victoria Harbour on 17th Feb for our inaugural Long Course Race, a how-many-laps-can-you-sail event in the style of Le Mans, for those who want a change from endless windward-leewards.

Entries from all are always welcome: contact our Secretary for details. See more photos in our Gallery