Higgs 2023 - a classic in every way

Published 01:00 on 3 Sep 2023

Our oldest and most popular sailing race of the year the Higgs Handicap Pursuit lived up to all expectations with nearly 30 boats competing in glorious sunny weather and a very pleasant breeze that (to the Race Team's relief) saw every boat finish.

The Lymington River Scows were the first boats off and 3 of them very nearly held off the challenge of everyone else chasing them by finishing in the first 10 boats. In fact, as Stuart Roy's photo shows, Ann Carnegie was still leading at the last mark Kewell only to be knocked back to 2nd place as Peter McKerchar's Lightning just overhauled her before the finish. Jem & Nancy Western's 2000 was 3rd, Keith Russell's Supernova 4th and the Commodore in another Scow was 5th.

It's a nerve-racking job being the Race Officer for this race as the course has to be set to be fair to all participants. The mix of fast and slow boats at the finish is testimony to how well Guy Russell and Clare Collett judged things on the day.

Last updated 11:01 on 28 March 2024