Yachting WA Newsletter

^{Yachting WA Newsletter   Making Waves}

_{Sabre Champion Scott Olsen on an upwind beat      Photo: Perth Sailing Photography}

Swan River successfully swamped with Australian Sabres

The acknowledged master of the Sabre in WA is Scott Olson of PDSC and he gave no quarter over the regatta, taking a steady series of nine bullets in the nine races. However the racing was far more interesting for second through to fourth with Mark Soulsby of South Australia winning on count back from Victorian Gary McLennan (both on 24 points) and Nick Mouat again from Victoria, one point behind the pair.  Second and third were resolved on the final day with McLennan jumping to second by beating Soulsby over the line into fourth.  

The Perth Dinghy Sailing Club is the first club in WA to host the Sabres National Championships in the West and the regatta got off to an excellent start with no less than 35 visiting sailors from South Australia, Victoria, NSW, Tasmania and Queensland.   Perth Dinghy Sailing Club is renowned for their hospitality and regatta organisation but this regatta has made the records by drawing more visiting sailors to a WA championship than any other Class in many, many years – a credit to the organizers under the helm of Brian and Jenny Jones.

Catering easily for all ages and sizes, the single handed competitive Sabre has had a delightful renaissance and the Class continues to rapidly grow, spreading now over four WA clubs.  

The three competing Youth sailors grouped closely mid fleet to finish a creditable 51^st (Chris Gallen, EFYC), 52^nd (Oliver Medd, PDSC) and 54^th Ryan Miragliotta, EFYC).  Young Oliver challenged Sabre Grand Veteran (and grandfather) Harold Medd from Black Rock, Victoria to prove his sailing prowess which fortunately he did being the Sabre duelers the spectators loved to watch.

The lady skippers finished in the following order: Fiona McCulloch (BRYC) followed by Emma Hall (SA) and WA’s Leone Woo from East Fremantle Yacht Club.

As the only yacht club in the City of Perth area, the regatta was officially opened by Deputy Mayor of Perth Rob Butler who suggested, after a particularly blustery Welcome Day day on the Swan River, and with the tail of the cyclone imminent, that the Welcome Night was possibly a good time for the sailors to STOP praying for strong winds and enjoy what they had – how right he was – the winds for the duration were perfect. An abundance of Race Officers assisting John McQueen meant that no slight went unnoticed and a hugely successful regatta was enjoyed by all on the sheltered waters of Matilda Bay over the New Year period.

_{2014 Australian Laser Champions Tristan Brown (Radials) and Matthew Wearn (Standards)}

WA Lasers Star at McCrae Nationals

Another brilliant result for WA sailing with double world champion Tristan Brown defending and retaining his 2013/14 Australian Laser Radial title, and Matthew Wearn claiming the Standard title.

After gusts of up to 50knots for the practice day Melbourne conditions cooled creating tricky conditions for the remainder of the championships starting with a ‘ripping tide’ on day one which carried into the second day where an oscillating south westerly breeze and a strong tide suited only the locals.

Inconsistent breeze and tricky conditions made for heavy work initially but by mid regatta the westerlies had swung in and sailors were adjusting.  Spectators were happy as the courses were laid closer to the beach and day four saw further light and shifty conditions providing mixed results.

Despite the light conditions the 4.7 fleet enjoyed some tight racing right up to the very end with Hamish Wiltshire (NT) overhauling Jack Graves (VIC) to take the title with McCrae sailor Brody Riley placed third overall in the Laser 4.7. The only WA sailors to make the 4.7’s  top ten were Vasco Anfang (6th) and Jonathan Pang ( 9th).

World Champion Tristan Brown (WA) was the only Radial consistently placing in the top five identifying him early as a clear winner but nothing should be taken from fellow WA sailor Alistair Young who had a brilliant regatta taking second.

 In the Standard fleet Australian Sailing Team member Matthew Wearn (WA) lead the fleet as expected. Luke Elliott (WA) sailed consistently with two strong finishes at the end of the regatta claiming fourth in the standards.  Mark Spearman (WA) member of the Australian Sailing Squad who had only recently moved from Radials into the Standards, had a mixed regatta plagued with breakages to finish 7th followed by Ben Walkemeyer in 8th.

Willy Packer sails Scoundrel to Prince Phillip Cup Success

2014 Prince Phillip Cup Claimed by Scoundrel,  Willy Packer

Scoundrel has won the Prince Phillip Cup in a well sailed series on the Swan River with close racing and 5 different winners in 7 races.  Willy Packer and his crew Denis Cullity and Julian Harding from Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club had the silverware in the bag to the very last race when a back line start could have thwarted thier quest.

The daunting fleet of 26 Dragons included 2007 World Champions German Tommy Muller sailing with Mario Wagner and Richard Franklin (NSW), and former IDA Chairman, Rob Campbell from UK who sailed Sandy Anderson’s Linnae with local crew John Low, John Moncrieff and James Stout. The Australian lineup included five previous Prince Phillip Cup Champions; Gordon Ingate,  Bunn Lynn, Sandy Anderson, Peter Bowman and Willy Packer alongside previous World Champions from the  Flying Fifteen Class, John Cassidy and Grant Alderson.  Octogenarian Gordon Ingate also holds a 5.5 Meter Class World title.

A tough start to the regatta saw strong winds resulting in damaged Dragons, battered crews and seven retirements on the first day.  Rob Campbell (Linnae) and Veteran Gordon Ingate (Whimsical) and his crew David Giles and Brad Sherridan led the fleet

Day two in 20knots saw Scoundrel limp home in 7^th when, having regained lost ground to a misinterpreted start, his mainsail halyard misbehaved within meters of the finish line. Tommy Muller crossed the line third only to find an OCS awaiting him.

Perth’s champagne sailing conditions returned for the third day of racing and the local sailors enjoyed an advantage until the breeze faded and the flight of dragons become fiery.   Taranui (Grant Alderson) dominated the pack with support from RFBYC’s Icefyre (Ron Packer) Seajoy ( Rob Perrin)  andSassfras (John Cassidy).  Despite having sailed a Dragon for only two weeks, former Flying Fifteen World Champions Grant Alderson and Dean McAullay with Adele Jackson and 11 year old Lucy Alderson claimed the victory after a finish line challenge by  Sinewave (Tommy Muller)..

A sweltering day four brought about a protest between Whimsical and Scoundrel which was settled inScoundrel’s favour resulting in a 3rd but a DSQ for Gordon Ingate. The placing to date was close with Rob Campbell leading, chased by Willy Packer, Tommy Mueller and Gordon Ingate who fortunately was able to utilize his DSQ as a discard.

Race day six saw Willy Packer take his first win of the regatta and brother Ron cross the line within a whisker of his brother to take second from Andrew Foulkes in a breathtaking finish and a battle royale for podium place.

A delayed start on the final day had Dragons on edge. Scoundrel was behind when the gun fired and starting wizard Whimsical had his masterful position at the pin end.  Linnae needed a win to claim the Cup and was up there with Whimsical and Taranui whilst Scoundrel was only mid fleet but slowly clawing through the pack.  

Gordon Ingate took the gun with his second win of the regatta securing him a third overall. Next across the line was Rob Campbell sealing second overall and Grant Alderson crossed third with Willy Packer finishing 6th to take the overall Dragon championship.

_{Coach Belinda Stowell with protégés Emerson Carlberg and Lachlan Gilmour 2013/2014 420 Champions       Alex McKinnon Photography}

WA Cleans up at 420’s National Championships at Sorrento in Victoria

West Australia took the International 420 Australian Nationals in both the Youth and Open Classes at the Sorrento Sailing and Couta Boat Club on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria from 26th December 2013 to 2nd January 2014.

Sailing in a variety of breezes from knock down blows of 40 knots on the practice day to steady and inviting sea breezes of 10 to 15 knots, Emerson Carlberg teamed up with last year’s winner Lachy Gilmour to take the title from the perennial bridesmaids Xavier Winston-Smith and Josh Dawson of New South Wales.  

First female team and fifth overall were WA’s Nia Jerwood and Lisa Smith managing to stay in front of fellow WA sailors Will Boulden and Nick Gale in seventh.

WA’s premier coaches Arthur Brett and Belinda Stowell have done the WA sailors proud as reflected by their results during this championship period.  Results: http://www.sscbc.bvit.com.au/site/yachting/event/54756/overall_1.html

_{420 Female Winners and 5^th Overall Lisa Smith and Nia Jerwood with Coach Belinda Stowell         Alex McKinnon Photography}

_{Close sailing for the Sharpies in Matilada Bay  Photo: Lou Hollis}

The Lizard takes unassailable lead in 71^st Sharpie Nationals

True to form Peter Chappell has taken the Australian Sharpie title for the fifth time. Chappell sailing The Lizard with Peter Nicholas and Luke Payne was tipped to win from South Australian David Higgins who definitely gave Chappell a run for his money.  Higgins in All Scoobed Out is the brother of six-time National Champion, Mal Higgins, who did not compete this year.

The thrills and spills started on Invitation Race Day with the Fremantle Doctor delivering strong winds resulting in carnage for several fleets on the Swan River, however as conditions steadied so the sailors adapted and the multiple regattas progressed with initially blustery conditions easing to solid but steady winds. 

Mounts Bay Sailing Club hosted the 71^st Australian Sharpie National Championship regatta for 42 entrants from 28^th December 2013 to 4^th January 2014.  The good turnout indicates a continuing popularity for the Sharpie class which has undergone recent change.  The hard-chined planing hulls now carry bigger spinnakers and the class recently introduced carbon-fibre booms and spinnaker poles. At nearly 6.1m in length with one on trapeze, Sharpies not only are fast to windward, but are renowned for exhilarating kite reaches.

Sharpies are sailed at East Fremantle Yacht Club, Geographe Bay Yacht Club and Mounts Bay Sailing Club.  For further information visit http://www.washarpies.com/

_{Conor Nicholas Winner of the Laser Radial Australian Youth Championship receives the trophy from Australian Sailing Coach Victor Kovalenk o and  Yachting Australia President Matt Owen          Photo:  B Malone Photography} 

Top three Laser Radial spots filled by WA at The Australian Youth Championship 2014

The Australian Youth Championship, after five days of racing on the Mornington Peninsula, VIC, came to a close on Friday with the 2014 national champions crowned and positions on the 2014 Australian Sailing Youth Team secured. The 2014 Australian Sailing Youth Team will represent Australia at this year’s ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship (Under 19) to be held in Tavira, Portugal from 12-19 July 2014. 

The final day of racing saw the193 crews in the six championship classes get a few more races in after a weak breeze on yesterday’s penultimate day had cancelled racing in most categories. Today lifted the total number of races in all classes to ten. 
The 420 class was dominated by strong performances of the female crews and New South Wales crew of Dana Tavener and Catherine Pagett not only took out the Australian Girls Championship title but also the overall win in this class. Based on combined results and after the duo were several places ahead of Tavener-Pagett at the 420 Nationals in Sorrento a couple of weeks ago, it was second placed Western Australian crew of Nia Jerwood and Lisa Smith, who will represent Australia in this class in Portugal. 

In the male category, the upset of the day was of the New Zealanders Sam Barnett and Zak Merton beating Western Australians Emerson Carlberg and Lachlan Gilmour to the top spot. The duo had led the New Zealanders all week, but were disqualified in Friday’s second race after crossing the start line too soon. As the top Australian 420 male crew, Carlberg and Gilmour still managed to secure their spot on the Australian Sailing Youth Team. 

In the Laser Radial Class, the top three spots were filled by Western Australian sailors Conor Nicholas, Christopher Charlwood and Alistair Young. His first place youth result at Laser Nationals in McCrae earlier this month secured youngster Alistair Young the spot on the National Youth Sailing team. At only 16 years of age, it will be Alistair’s first World Championship. 

29er sailors Jim Colley (NSW) and Shaun Connor had an excellent regatta run securing them Australian Champion title in this class ahead of Kurt Hansen and Harry Morton (NSW) with Max Giudice and Hayden Hunt (WA) in third. 

In the Laser 4.7 fleet, which is not part of the Youth Sailing World Championship, Northern Territory Sailor Hamish Wiltshire took out the Championship title ahead of Victorian Jack Graves and Tyrone Gowans in third (VIC). 

The Australian Sailing Youth Team will be endorsed by the Yachting Australia Board at the beginning of February and will prepare at their individual home locations as well as in a joint training camp at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Brisbane just prior to Sail Brisbane in April. The Laser Radial and 420 boys and girls will be the guests of the Japan Sailing Federation in the annual Australia-Japan Youth Sailing Exchange in March. This will be the third year of this exchange and is highly valued by both countries. 

The 2014 Australian Youth Championship was held at Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron and Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club on the Mornington Peninsula, VIC from January 6 – 10 2014. Host club for the 2015 Australian youth Championship will be Fremantle Yacht Club in Western Australia from 6-10 January 2015. 

Event website: click here

_{Champions Tessa Parkinson & Chelsea Hall commanded the 49er FX fleet    Photo: David Price}

9er Nationals

Collectively named the 9ers, the 2013-14 Australian Championships for the 29er, 49er and 49er FX classes was hosted by Royal Brighton Yacht Club, Victoria from 28 December 2013 to 3 January 2014 attracting a big entry fleet of 76 boats.  Racing was completed in overcast conditions with southerly breezes swinging westerly.

In the 49er FX competition, Tessa Parkinson & Chelsea Hall (WA) commanded the fleet of nine boats to win the Australian 49er FX Championship with 18 points to spare over Olivia Price and Eliza Solly (NSW).  Harry Price and Angus Williams claimed third.  WA crews Ella Clark and Caitlin Elks crewed for skippers Hayley Outteridge and Tess Lloyd who respectively claimed 4th and 5th.

David Gilmour & Sam Phillips (WA) claimed the 49er National Championship at the last possible minute finishing on equal points with the leaders throughout the regatta, Steven Thomas & Jasper Warren (WA) after their two final wins  gave David Gilmour & Sam Phillips the tie-break.   Victorians William Phillips and Rhys Mara finished 3rd.  Fellow Western Australians Matthew Jerwood and Alex Landwher claimed 8th and the gutsy Morrison brothers Luke and Jack, persevered to finish 11th.  

Charlie Wyatt and Tom Siganto (QLD) claimed the Australian 29er Championship with a three point margin in a strong fleet of 55 players.  A very new and young contingent of 29er sailors from WA participated with more gains from the perspective of experience than podium placings and conditions lighter than what the sailors were used to.  Rockingham sailors Alicia Spencer and Jacob Dennison were the top placed WA sailors in 13th.  

For the final results and information about the event, visit www.rbyc.org.au/9er

_{29er Fleet Start at 2014 Nationals     Photo:  David Staley}

_{Viper 640 Fang Crew of Tony Johnson, Tim Reger and Rob Murdoch with the trophy} 

Fanging It

Australian slang saying “ to drive at great speed e.g. He was fanging around”.

The 7th Australian Sports Boat Association National Titles were sailed from the Fremantle Sailing Club with the Fremantle Doctor living up to its reputation with only one race under ten knots and the most in the high teens to gear busting, consistent 25knots.

The fleet consisted of twenty one boats of a range of designs.  2011 winner Brett Whitbread sailed the 7.2m wicked winged machine, Crank, an awesome looking dinghy/keelboat.

Seven vipers made up a big part of the fleet with Rod Beurteaux and Tim Reger considered to have the best chances.  Three Shaw 650’s included last year’s runner up Rees Howell sailing Octopuss and two new VX’s were sailing with their big masthead chutes.

The fleet also included M24’s, T7’s and 7.5’s, SB20 and a GT750.

Day One racing started at about 12 knots and the strength just went up from there in the next two races. Crank had a good day with two wins and Tim Reger on Fang was consistent with two seconds. Rees Howall on the Shaw 650 Octopussy had a first and third.

Day two had only one race - a sixteen mile passage race. Most of the race was around 20 knots and finished in a gear busting, consistent 25 +knots. Crank disappeared into the distance followed by T750Ducks Nuts (Mitch De Vries).  The seven Vipers were having a great race all pushing each other and swapping positions. Gradually the conditions started to take their toll and two Vipers wiped each other out when one didn’t quite make a port/starboard dip. Crank damaged some rigging and was not able to carry a spinnaker for the last two legs. Fang rounded the top mark with a handy lead over the other vipers but with only two downwind legs to go he sheared off the rudder pintle.  Octopussy lost their tackline on their spinnaker and did not carry their spinnaker on the last legs. It was last man standing and Rod Beurteaux came through to win, passing Andrew York’s VX when they ditched after a last leg broach. Four of the top five boats where Viper 640 designs.

Day three saw 20 to 25 knots. Fang had two wins and Rod Beurteaux took out the other race. At the end of the penultimate day, Fang held a one point break on Crank to Octopussy.

Day four saw a pleasant break with a race under ten knots. Rod Beurteaux hit all the right shifts to follow the two T750’s at the first mark and was first on SMS with Octopussy second. Tim Reger had a bad race and finished 8^th with Crank in 13^th   on SMS.

The second last race of the series was won by Fang with Crank second and Don’t Forget Alice third. All  races were close and again this showed with the winning margin being 1 second. This gave Fang a four point lead with one race remaining.  Crank again took line honours and won the last race on SMS. The Fang crew sailed a great race, securing second place, only 6 seconds behind Crank.  They had taken the title by three points. Octopussy finished third and another Viper, Don’t forget Alice (Rod Beurteaux) finished fourth.

_{Mitch de Vries The Ducks Nuts      Photo: Perth Sailing Photography}

_{Koombana Bay provided windy conditions and flat waters for the 32 Cherubs at the recent Nationals Photos:  Fiona Lunsmann}

51^st Cherub Nationals held on Koombana Bay, Bunbury

Kirk Mitchell and Andrew Stephenson from Drummoyne Sailing Club have convincingly won the 51^stCherub Nationals, showing that dedication to training pays off. Kirk and Andrew won 4 of the 9 races held at Koombana Bay Sailing Club in Bunbury, Western Australia.

Koombana Bay provided windy conditions and flat water with the breeze most days averaging 20 knots. The bulk of the fleet remained compact with close finishes over the series despite the windy conditions.

Matthew Rhys-Jones and Matthew Hall on The French Tickler won 3 of the heats to come in second place. Experienced crew Trevor Fay and Morgan Frew on Wally came in third position, winning the veteran category, finishing with 1 win and 2 seconds over the series.

The first WA boat was Smurf Crease sailed by Todd McVee and Steve Fryer in fourth position, and they also placed second on handicap. Overall handicap was won by Camel Toe sailed by Aaron Kirkby and Jess Stephenson who showed improvement throughout the series.

The Cadet division for skippers under 18 was taken out by Enough Rope sailed by Nicole Barnes and Jeremy Jones. Pandamonium, sailed by WA crew Brad Luketina and Niko Streiga, was 1 point behind to finish second in the Cadet division and 16^th overall.  The Junior division for skippers under the age of 21 was won by Harden Up! but was passed to fellow Drummoyne sailors Lawrence Wakefield and Oliver Jones on Black Pearl. Best placed female skipper was Claire Lunsmann on Alchemy, and best female crew was Felicity Wellman on Almost Famous. The next cherub nationals will be held in South Australia at Wallaroo.

Road to Rio launch for the Australian Sonar Sailing Team

The Australian Sonar Sailing Team consisting of Jonathan Harris, Coach Grant Alderson, Colin Harrison and Russell Boaden have celebrated their selection to the  team after taking out the Sailors of the Year with a Disability Award at the Yachting Australia awards in Sydney late last year.

Their coach, Grant Alderson was also a finalist in the Sports Professional award. 

This award capped off a successful year following their success of a Bronze Medal in the IFDS World Championships in Kinsale, Ireland. 

_{WA Opis prepare to take on the fleet Jayden Dalton (1200), Joshua Pang (Aurum 644), Jackson Porter (Optimum 1340) and  Axel Fleet (Blue Kahlu 1124)}

2014 AIODA International Optimist Australian and Open Championships

The Mornington Yacht Club in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria was noisy and vibrant with nearly 350 excited young sailors including 35 international competitors competing in the AIODA International Optimist Australian and Open Championships held from Saturday 4th January 2014 - Saturday 11th January 2014.

In a fantastic championship talented 12 year old Henry Otto of Middle Harbour Yacht Club sailed a fine regatta in wild and windy conditions to win overall with a net of only 26 points. New Zealanders Lewis Anderson and Craig Keenan took 2^nd and 3^rd overall for the contingent of strong from across the ditch. 

As hosts to next year’s championships, It is fitting that the Fremantle Sailing Club Optimists have done WA proud with three sailors finishing in the top 11 of the gold fleet – well done to Jayden Dalton (6^th), Rome Featherstone (8^th), Zachary Littlewood (10^th) and Oliver Maverick (11^th ) – both Zachary and Oliver were sailing in their first ever National Championships. 

Believe it or Knot sailed by Isabelle Kenny from South of Perth Yacht Club won the Silver Fleet by a wide margin.

30 WA kids attended with the majority competing in their first ever national championships which saw nine of the WA sailors make the Gold Fleet, eight in the Silver Fleet and 2 in the Bronze with the remainder competing in the Green Fleet.

_{2013 Kiteracing Oceanic Championships lures 43 entrants to Leighton Beach WA}

Kiteracing Oceanic Championships – Record Tumbles at the Lightouse to Leighton

The Lighthouse to Leighton race brought the best of the kite racing world to town as the spectacular race was mid December over 19 kilometers. Both local and international kite racing champions tackled the fearsomely fast race that sees speeds of over 50 kms per hour between the two points. With a steady 10 to 14 knots out of the south west, the larger sails were used and despite hitting a patch of weed and having to remount, German ex pat Marvin Baumeister led from the start and crossed the line in a new record time of 23 minutes and 50 seconds.

Following him was the overall winner of the Men’s platinum flight Florian Gruber of Germany. Local kite racer and one of the event organisers, Torvar Mirsky came in third. In the women’s results Marie Desandre Navarre of France was first with countrywoman Ariane Imbert second and Australian Lisa Hickman in at third.  

Third placed Mirsky was awarded the first Marc Sprod medal for the fastest West Australian entrant and said that he was racing well beyond his expectations. “My back leg was burning like hell, but it was awesome. I didn't think I'd be standing on the podium nor have any chance of being near that record."

The finals of the IKA Formula Kite Oceanic Championships in Platinum fleet had Florian Gruber of Germany first, with Oliver Bridge of Great Britain second and former winner Riccardo Leccese of Italy third. Torvar Mirsky was the first Australian at 8^th place followed by Ric Black at 9^th.

In the women’s finals Polish kite racer Aga Grsymska was first, Ariane Imbert of France was second and Nuna Goma of Spain was third with Lisa Hickman of Australia in fourth place. The Men’s Gold fleet was all Australian with Dale Stanton first followed by fellow clubbie Eneour Puil-Stephan and third Mathew Vandervoort. In the men’s Silver fleet, three Australians came through with Tom Johnson first, followed by Jordan Girdis and Joel Aulich third. 

_{Adrian Wilson’s Lamotrek &  Matt Dickman’s  new comer  Fifty Four  in the Pot of Gold on 7^th December 2013     Photo: John Bird}

Pot of Gold and Dash for Cash

It looked like a long day for the Offshore racers when a light zephyr greeted them near the North mole prior to the start of the Round Rotto Race that finished at Hillarys Yacht Club.

Fortunately a south–westerly breeze filled in during the morning and by the time they turned for home it reached 20 knots, prompting Division 1 winner (and fastest) Dom Papaluca in Al Fresco to comment that “he hadn’t been that wet going downwind before”. Endorphin and Enterprise filled the minor placings on IRC handicap, a result that was reversed on YAH handicap. IRC placings were the same as over the line in Division 2: The X Factor, Farrago and Fourth Dimension whilst on YAH Farrago won, ahead of The X Factor and Unhinged. In Division 3 Total Recall won on both IRC and YAH ratings whilst Stimulus Package and Numbers Game made up the numbers on IRC and Without Fear andSynergy on YAH were second and third respectively. Although not first over the line Kraken again proved too good on both IRC and YAH ratings to win the Double Handed race ahead of some stiff competition in Fifty Four (fastest) and Dart Vader.

A small fleet of Division 1 to 4 yachts started together in the Dash for Cash Race run simultaneously with the Offshore racers however their course made it a dash down the coast to Hillarys Yacht Club with only a small beat back to windward. The catamaran Sally Malay made the most of the spinnaker run and was first and fastest in Division 1, Hard Evidence was second and similarly in Division 2 Covert Operation won the tussle with Juni for first and fastest, with Volant and Pandora not far behind.

In Division 3 there was never more than a minute between Bali Rally participant, Comfortably Numb andPerle with the latter taking line honours by 20 secs but beaten soundly on handicap. A very close tussle was fought out between the two East Fremantle yachts in Division 4 with Double Visionvictorious over Brochure Run by 41 secs on handicap. 

_{Sabres enjoy the solitude of Walpole’s 2013 In the Trees Regatta}

Walpole’s’  Regatta In the Trees is Around the Corner

Walpole’s Regatta in the Trees returns on the Labor Day long weekend, the 1^st and 2^nd March. Last year saw the rejuvenation of this once popular event on the south coast after a twelve year hiatus, masterminded by paraplegic sailor, Jamie Dunross, who made his home in the south coastal town after successfully completing the first unassisted solo circumnavigation of Australia in the S&S34 Spirit of Rockingham.

Last year’s regatta exceeded all expectations.  The whole town was involved in the organisation of the event, the provision of trophies and an appealing social program.  Sailors descended on Walpole from the metropolitan area, the south west and the south coast in a variety of yachts ranging from surf cats to foiling moths to large trailer sailers, while the legendary John Rosser controlled the on-water management.

Foiling moths made headlines by conducting their State Championship at the regatta, charging across the inlet at more than 20 knots, but they were well supported by the Sabre class, surfcats and many off the beach classes. The Moths will again be conducting their State Championship in conjunction with the Walpole Regatta.

John Rosser and Graham White are returning to assist with on-water management and the local Walpole community is on standby to make the regatta another resounding success.  For further information visit www.walpoleyachtclub.com.au

_{Gary McNally’s Black Betty was the outright winner of Division 1 in Race Week 2013   Photo: Bernie Kaaks}

Black Betty Heads East for Festival of Sail

Festival of Sails, organised by Royal Geelong Yacht Club, is to be held from Thursday 23rd until Monday 27th January 2014. Gary McNally and partner in the logistical challenge, Brian McMasters, are trucking the GP42 Black Betty with an escort almost 3,500 kilometers across the Nullarbor Plain from Perth to the Festival of Sails for their first foray into interstate competition.

Black Betty, from the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club in Perth, will need an extendable semi-trailer and escort for the six day journey, which could mark the start of an extensive eastern seaboard campaign. Click on the  links below to read more.

Unconfirmed reports note that their main competitor, General Lee, is taking a season off - we wonder what is in store for her next year? 

_{Champagne Sailing for Terry Posma’s Jaffa at 2013 GBYC Race Week     Photo: Bernie Kaaks}

Geographe Bay Race Week Revitalised

 A new sponsorship package, a feeder race designed to have boats arrive for the start of the regatta rather than a week beforehand, a social program based around exciting new facilities at The Deck (the marina tavern), and some fresh ideas for sailors make it a very attractive proposition indeed, whether your interest is in racing around the cans, racing in longer events, or just lazily cruising around the tranquil waters of the Bay, this year’s Race Week will have the lot.

Race Week’s social program at the yacht club was not popular with most sailors, so this year’s social events and results will return to the Marina, where a stage has been erected over the water. A lively program includes a fashion parade, a burlesque revue, a formal dinner and casual entertainment.

A new and innovative event to entice non-racing yacht owners to participate is a Rally Division which was added to this year’s program.  Operating much like an old style car rally, yachts will have the whole week of the regatta to cruise up and down Geographe Bay as they please, stopping at various points for vital information, with opportunities to stop along the way to sample restaurants, wineries and so on.

Geographe Bay Yacht Club will manage on-water activities with the assistance of local Sea Rescue units, together with resources from the YWA offshore race management team and Royal Perth Yacht Club. The demands of running a regatta which regularly draws more than 100 yachts has clearly stretched the volunteers at Geographe Bay Yacht Club to breaking point, leading to a suggestion that the regatta should become a biennial event, but Regatta Chairman Nigel Chesterfield-Evans said: “The GBYC has been punching well above its weight for 10 years now and changes are needed to ensure the future of the event.” He confirmed this week that the regatta will continue to be an annual event, with greater involvement by the Port Geographe Marina and support from metropolitan yacht clubs.

“We are absolutely committed to ensuring the continuing success of Geographe Bay Race Week,” Bob Godridge promised. “From 2015 onwards we will play a leading role in the organisation of the regatta, with a guarantee that Geographe Bay Yacht Club will continue to benefit.”

Competing yachts from around the State and even interstate will welcome the news that the regatta will continue as an annual event.  For many, it is already the centrepiece of their planning for the summer.

For further information visit http://www.gbyc.com.au/race-week.html

Luke Elliott’s Training Camps, World Championships and Camel Rides

At the end of October I made my third and final trip for 2013. I headed for Sydney for a training camp with the best Laser sailors in Australia before flying out for my first ever open World Championships in Oman. I had just finished a tough base level training block in Perth.  

The camp started with about 11 Lasers which grew to 14 with 8 qualifying for the Worlds. We had a great range of conditions but were specifically targeting the lightest air possible to match the expected conditions of Oman. The camp was run like a regatta with set courses and results being recorded by our coach Michael Blackburn. I finished 5^th overall and felt confident. A few days later I was headed for the Middle East and after a couple of nightmare connections I arrived in Muscat Oman, at the same time as the rest of the Aussie team.

I’ll admit I loved Oman before I had even stepped into the hotel. Coming from someone who has spent several months sleeping in a van while competing, I’m probably exaggerating the luxury of the resort we stayed in, but it truly did look like something out of a postcard. A small oasis surrounded by sand and hot desert. Full on buffets, infinity pools next to the warm waters of the Omani Gulf and lush grass and trees made up the back drop of two impressive white marble hotel buildings. It truly was paradise. We spent ten days as a squad training before the event.  A warm 30 degrees, the water hovering at just below that and the routine light sea breezes made for a productive training environment. The training groups got bigger and bigger and the atmosphere more and more tense between the sailors.

17^th  November 2013 Laser World Championships. Day One I was in the first fleet starting that day. The wind was soft but quickly built to a lumpy 15 knots. Perfect - everyone was pushing the limit and after 3 general recalls we were away. My pace was good, I was having fun, I rounded the top mark 4^th, moved into 3^rd on the run, just behind two of the best laser sailors in the world and stayed there. It was the most amazing race of my life. I couldn’t believe I had started my Worlds like that. The next race was also amazing: 7^th to the top mark, a close 6^th at the bottom but the 20 minute beats had eaten into my energy and I missed a crucial shift on the left to place me in 13^th and 11^th overall and the second Australian.

The event continued with a range of conditions mostly under the 10 knot range. In my qualifying series I was 3^rd Aussie after 8 races and 30^th overall moving into the Gold Fleet finals series. The final 3 days of racing however were some of the toughest I have faced. I had never raced in such a cut throat environment and really struggled to get a good start. We only managed 4 out of the 6 races due to light winds but I learnt more from them than any other racing.  I finished the regatta 56^th overall and the 4^thAustralian.  

Two days later I flew to Melbourne for the ISAF Sailing World Cup in Sandringham. Boosted by my result at the Worlds I wanted to capitalize on what I had learnt in Oman. I had a few days of training and settling  in with roommate, Tristan Brown before racing started.  Like the Worlds I started strong leading the entire first race until the last part of the second beat where World No. 1 Tom Burton just got past me to clinch the race. Conditions were trying throughout the week and consistency was hard.  I had a reasonable regatta and was a close 5^th coming into the medal race but not only did I finish last in the double points race but my closet rivals finished at the front. I finished 9^th overall.

I returned to Melbourne for the Australian Laser Nationals, staying with Brad Utting and Tristan Brown. The Regatta was fun but I never got my rhythm going and battled throughout the week. Luckily I had a solid last day and somehow slipped into 4^th overall and 3^rd Australian. I then coached the FSC Optimists at their nationals. Back in Perth having left at the end of October, I am now reflecting on the amazing year I have had and am looking forward to 2014.

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