The mainsail was up and the foredeck loaded with number 1 genoas, code zeros and spinnakers reading for immediate deployment should any wind appear but all to no avail as the sixth winter race eventually was abandoned.

An extensive briefing by Captain Tim prior to crews heading out to a glassy sea covered a range of topics including the Sailing Cocktail Party in September, the nomination of Mark Taylor as Vice-Captain Keel, supporting the Abba fab night, the Dinghy bacon and egg roll available before the next and last race (27th), changes to the DNC points, registration for summer/ocean and NCS as separate series and retrieval of the marks on Tuesday August 29th.

The hot air did not draw in a sea breeze and with 19 boats floating idly for 90 minutes the decision to abandon the race was made. Many thanks to John Porter, Katie Tucker and Kerry Martin in the start tower who threatened Saxon with an imminent start three times before raising the AP flag again and delaying a possible start. They tried to make it happen but the Fremantle doctor did not cooperate.

Race one resail on Sunday morning 27th August is the final race of the Winter Series.

John Bird