Henry Paine wins Commodores Series

GEORGE SAILING NEWS - After two weeks of no sailing at the George Lakes Yacht Club, two races could be completed on Sunday.

There were five Lasers as well as a Dart, Sonnet, Mirror, GP14 and Optimist on the water. Conditions were misty with a light south-westerly breeze.

The first race was shortened, but there was an improvement in wind strength for race two, allowing for the full course to be sailed. It became too light, though, for a third race to be started.

Jean Paul Buys was the sole Optimist on the water. He just sailed and completed the first race - enough to qualify for the Jenvey Nissen Trophy.

David Laing had the initial lead in the first race ahead of Brian Musto.

Then Henry Paine got going up the next beat to extend a good lead over the rest of the fleet. Hans Delport, on a Dart 18, started overtaking to finish second over the line.

In the improved wind of race two the Dart was able to get ahead of the fleet, finishing five minutes ahead. David Laing had the lead in the Lasers, pursued by Evelyn Osborne. These two were still in front at the last leeward mark, with Henry Paine behind. Paine took a different course to the finish, getting a favourable wind shift to take the race win once again, seconds ahead of Laing.