THE sun was shining brightly, but on the water the northerly three had a high chill factor and it was an evening that needed sunglasses, woolly hats and scarves for Flushing Sailing Club's first Tuesday Points series.

With the wind a northerly three, the courses set by officer of the day D J Maunder were restricted by the broadcast of a 6.30pm departure of a coaster from the docks and the absence of Penarrow buoy.

As the fleets beat into the breeze immediately after the start going to the northern side of Carrick Roads the ship slipped out easily under her own power without escort and quickly disappeared leaving us to enjoy the ideal conditions.

For the first time the starting sequence was broadcast and we all listened eagerly to the dulcet tones of Liz giving us the count down to the start. This was much appreciated by all the crews because it really helped us make a good approach to the line. So now we have the traditional flags, the boards and the radio which gives us less reason for misunderstanding the race instructions, but with hard work I'm sure to manage it soon!

On Scorpion the crew were too busy chatting, not having seen each other since November, to take the racing too seriously, but the conversations stopped them from getting bored.

On Hawk all went well until the time came to lower the Spinnaker in the cool breeze when cold fingers and forgotten expertise caused a minor hiccup while on Halcyon they had absolutely no trouble with the spinnaker at all on the ideal run from the Vilt to Atkinson Internet buoy because the skipper left it at home in the loft. It's sad really, isn't it?

There are more new sports boats out and helmsmen found the change from displacement to planning hull gave them an intensive learning experience. In the stiff breeze the large asymmetric spinnakers pulled hard, the boats were fast and the crews furious as they fought to hang on and gain control, but what is racing without a challenge?

There were 20 boats out with ten of them in A class so we look forward to the early arrival of the rest of the fleets so that we can enjoy the pleasure of sailing in our wonderful waters again.

RESULTS A Class: 1, Blue; 2, Tresillian (J Beavis); 3, Pink Gin (P Knight).

E Class: 1, Popincoota; 2, Sidewinder; 3, Amneris.

U Class: 1, Mary Boon; 2, Halcyon. J24: 1, Jitterbug; 2, Jiggy With It; 3, Ballistic.

There was a gathering at Flushing Sailing Club to celebrate the 80th birthday of the Rev Canon Michael Simcock. Michael and Nessie have worked for many years in the ops room of the club co-ordinating the racing results. The club gave Michael a tidal clock which was presented by the Rural Dean, the Rev Canon John Harris (Father John).