Ines has the edge over Sicarious to claim PRSC’s Tintac Trophy while Crazy makes most of three-minute start

Ines, skippered by Alistair Knowlden, claimed the Princess Royal Sailing Club’s Tintac Trophy, overhauling Sicarious in a cracking handicap-start harbour course race on Saturday.

Six yachts from the mixed keel boat fleet competed in the race which was conducted in a strong easterly that piped in around the 22-knot mark.

Limit boat Escapade was first away with Richard Hodgson skippering.

He was followed a minute later by Knowlden and Ines, with only one crew.

These two boats were locked together for much of the race as they have been for several outings this sailing season.

Skippering Major Miracle was Grant Tickell, who had opted to go solo with the big boat, but he slipped back through the field.

To his credit, Tickell completed the course and was a tired-out skipper after the race.

Stephen Brown went off after giving Major Miracle a four-minute start.

Brown had Mary Maitland away smartly five minutes before Mark McRae’s Sicarius, and was moving very well with only one crew.

Jessie James, the only division one yacht in the mixed fleet, was scratch boat and skipper Brett Hawker, with only two crew, knew he would have to be good to catch the other five.

Ines eventually caught Escapade and held the lead for the rest of the race.

Sicarius began making inroads on the leaders when a small spinnaker was used to put it into second place.

Escapade continued to keep in touch, but Hawker had cranked up Jessie James to pass Major Miracle, Mary Maitland and then Escapade.

There was then only Sicarius and Ines to catch, but it was not to be as Ines had sailed brilliantly on handicap to take the race and the trophy.

Sicarius clinched second place with Jessie James taking third in the fastest time after another mighty chase.

Two Flying Fifteens also sailed in a handicap-start harbour course event.

Crazy, skippered by Aileen Lucas, was given a three-minute start over Simon Lucas in FForever Young.

Making up that time was going to be a tough task for FForever Young as the strong wind had both yachts speeding around the course with Crazy maintaining its big lead.

Simon Lucas did manage to knock off a few seconds – and was second in the fastest time – but Aileen Lucas went on to win easily.