Multitalented Allen wins division one

Joyce Allen celebrated a double victory on Tuesday when she sailed her Hanse 37 Imagine It to a division-one win in ladies' racing at the Waikawa Boating Club (WBC).

The women were out in force for Tuesday night's round of the Port Marlborough-sponsored Twilight series, which included the third race in the WBC's ladies' series.

The evening sailing showed Allen's versatility, as she had picked up a golf win at Koromiko that morning.

Although women regularly crew on boats during twilight racing, it's a step up to take the helm, having the final say on tactics and ensuring safety on the water while still having fun.

Mary Rix-Miller was second in division one of the ladies' series with Satin Sheets, while Katie McNabb placed third on Spirit Wind.

In division two, the first and third-placed finishers had Pip Maslen to thank for their introduction to sailing.

Rachel John, regular crew on Maslen's Davidson 28 Ricochet, took first place, with Emily Anderson coming third on her father's Marauder, Bedouin.

Anderson's first sailing experience came on Ricochet during a Marlborough Girls' College "have a go at sailing" day and she has never looked back. Second in division two was WBC's sailing secretary, Juliet Abbott, skippering Bavaria.

Anna McNeil won the open division with Ash Davey's Maracas ahead of Steffi Waanders on Gill Moore and Dave Kelway's Checkmate, with Andrea Paterson third on her Ross 930 special, Slingshot.

Regular twilight competitors were out on the course at the same time as the women for race five in their series.

Conditions were again fluky and particularly difficult to the east of Whatamango Bay.

What looked to be a drag race around the course came to a halt as half the fleet found a hole in the wind. The lucky ones slid around the edge and carried on as a little breeze filled in close to the finish.

Owen Farrell won division two with Samara, beating fellow Noelex 25 sailor Bryan Morrison into second on Vision. Fred and Anne Escalle held on to take third with their Lotus Tracker, Uncle Sam.

Open-division honours went to Bill Richards on Panic Knot from McNeil on Maracas and Waanders on Checkmate.

In division one, Mick Paul was first with the Mull 31 Cisco, Cliff Smith second in his Lambert 35 Fiesta and Allen third with Imagine It.

- The Marlborough Express