THE first two races of the RCIYC Hobie Fleet Winter Series were contested by 16 boats in excellent racing conditions in St Aubin’s Bay.

Gordon Burgis and crew Kenny Snell performed consistently well in the close racing to win both A fleet races on their Hobie 16 spi on handicap from the Hobie 16 of Darren Stower and Mike Winspear, who took line honours.

Grant Neale and Karen Le Rose made the right tactical decisions, their third in the first race, where they came a split second in front of Peter Scriven, which gave them enough for third overall.

There were several capsizes in the gusty conditions.

Mick Doleman and Damien James on their Hobie Tiger offered one of the more spectacular.

After a flying start, a broken boom and ripped mainsail ended their racing prematurely.

The B fleet team of Jim Fullerton and Tim Simms continued their good form coming first despite suffering a capsize halfway through race one.

They were chased by youth crew Matthew Dale and Rhiannah de Carteret who placed second.

Ian Cabot, sailing with his young daughter Zoe, came third after a capsize put them out of the second race.

Honours were shared in the Junior Dragoon racing.

Emma Voak and sister Laura enjoyed a first and third, as did James Marshall and Axel Staal.

The Voaks took top spot on countback.

Laura Jane Carter sailing with Bianca Kempster came third.

Thanks go to the guard boat teams Mic Trehorel with Mark Dempsey and Clive Pearce and Nick Rice, also to beach officer David Voak.