Heat three of the Lake Keepit Sailing Club's Club Championships produced some exciting racing with the winner only clear on the last leg to the finish line.
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The lead changed several times in a hard fought battle through phases of zero breeze to 30kph.
Breeza's Mick Bradfield claimed the honours ahead of Quirindi's Keith Garrett, with the young and fast-developing Willow Tree sailor Tim Caslick coming in third.
The fastest times were recorded by two Maris catamarans, with Manilla's Dave Aylwin edging out Quirindi's Michael Juchau.
A fleet of 10 boats took to the lake for what was the third of seven rounds.
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Garrett - last year's champion - leads the field after finishing first the first two races from Bradfield.
There are two more sailing events for club members before Christmas - the second heat of the Head of the River and awarding of the Christmas Bell trophy, and the inter-club regatta at Malpas Dam.
Sailors are watching the predicted weather patterns for signs of more consistent rain in the head-waters of the dam, Armidale/Guyra and the Namoi catchment for Keepit.
"With no inflows, the summer temperatures will reduce the water below the 0.7% that we now have and make the sailing near impossible, let alone make life so much more miserable for our local farmers who continue to suffer," LKSC Race Secretary Tim Corben said.
"Our thoughts are with them and their families and we all hope they can have a happy Christmas".