A BRISK breeze from the South West enabled race officer Phil Badger to set a course taking the six yachts out into Falmouth Bay to visit the Rosemullion nark for the fifth race of six in Helford River SC's Late Summer Series, writes Peter Wood.

Jetta tried the big foresail, but with only four on board changed to the smaller number three foresail just before the start. The first leg, a short beat to the Voose, saw Jacobi round first, closely followed by Big Purple.

Spinnakers were then set for the two mile run out to Rosemullion. Jacobi found herself having to gybe at the last moment to get outside the Gedges buoy, but Big Purple was able to sail a more direct course to the mark than Jacobi and they arrived there almost together.

Forza! rounded in third place, the first of the J92s, followed by Jetta, Jabadeo and Jinjy. The order stayed the same as the yachts beat back to the Dennis mark, but when the spinnakers were hoisted again for the leg to Nare Point Forza! stayed too near the sheltering cliff of Dennis head, and was passed by Jetta and Jabadeo.

After rounding Nare there was a lively broad reach back out to Rosemullion, before turning for the beat back towards the river mouth in the gathering gloom of dusk - Jacobi trying hard to extend her lead, and Big Purple trying to keep in close touch.

At the finish off Trebah beach Big Purple got close enough win on handicap, promising a duel in the last race with Jacobi, for first place in the series. Jetta managed to hold Jacobi at bay coming up to the finish with some well judged tacks, to gain third place.

Race results IRC: 1, Big Purple (Garth Weaver); 2, Jacobi (Tony Statham); 3, Jetta (John Jane); 4, Jabadeo (Wally Royall); 5, Jinjy (Lynda Filmer); 6, Forza! (Andy Dennis).