Three intrepid division two skippers and crews braved the squally 22-knot cold south-westerly to race in heat three of the Princess Royal Sailing Club winter series. And winter it was.
Wet gear and warm clothing was the order of the day as was reefs in the mainsails and small jibs.
Stephen Brown was quickly away with Mary Maitland followed by Stephen Lee in Flasheart.
Neil Worrell had trouble getting Zuri out of its pen due to the strong wind and missed the start by several minutes but soldiered on to finish the harbour course race and having torn his spinnaker on the first run.
The race now centred on Flasheart and Mary Maitland where the lead changed several times.
The wind was steady with the odd gust up to 25 knots and good speed was seen on both yachts.
On the last leg, Lee was still well in front but the wind suddenly dropped allowing Brown to close the gap.
But Lee kept his cool to go on to win by only several seconds and to record the fastest time in an exciting encounter with Brown, who took second place.
Zuri although well back finished with a dash of speed to take third place.
There will be no sailing this weekend and a heat will be conducted on June 7 with a 1.30pm start.
