A great and entertaining character he is remembered with affection and respect by all the older members of the club and the annual memorial race on Sunday celebrated that fact.

The wind was incredibly variable, causing frustration or delight for yachts depending on the position at the change.

However, it was punctuated by strong gusts, occasional empty holes and direction changes.

A Yardstick race saw all senior sailors compete on the same course, with a massed start.

The day suited the Sharpie fleet who finished in the first three places.

Just Suburban Boys (Laurie Francis, Rob Nail and Josh Beard) was first.

Laurie beat his brother Craig, Peter Browne and Peter Cuthbert in Suicide Blonde by just 28 seconds.

Uninvited (Graham Morris, Dean Dickson and Tom Jones) was third.

Emily II (Chas Burking, Ewan Parkinson and Neil Hastwell) sailed well to take fourth on yardstick and also was first in the Cruiser fleet.

On pure speed, Millennium Falcon romped home four minutes in front.

Electric Tram was first on handicap and kept up a constant battle with Skyrider, which was third, beating it over the line by seconds.

Sonic Boom was second on handicap, hot on its heels.

The sole Catamaran Buzz Off, as usual, sailed well.

Matilda had a bad day; having perhaps enjoyed a little too much the 80th birthday lunch of life member and club stalwart Jim Lofthouse.

Ten Pelicans also sailed with Slippery when Wet, helmed by the tiny Sailor Townsend and crewed by Rosie Happ, taking first.

Thunderstruck (Tyler Christian and Keelie Piva) were second and Aussie Girls (Millie Plester and India Christian) third.