Kurnell Cat Club (Cock of the Bay) Feb 26th

Sunday Feb 26th at Kurnell Cat Club on Botany Bay we have the 'Cock of the Bay'. This popular regatta includes the marathon event attracting many of the top sailors.

Entry is $30. Briefing at 1000hrs their will be 2 short races, followed by a lunch break then the marathon around the bay in the afternoon to see who is the 'Cock of the Bay'.

For more details and NOR see the clubs web site www.kcc.asn.au

Queensland F18 News

The Fastways QLD F18 State Titles are coming up fast in late Feb on the Gold Coast.There is $10,000 prize money up for grabs for the F18 fleet spread over 5 places and a lucky sail draw.
I think this could be the first event where cold hard cash has been put up for grabs in Australia for the F18 fleet.

After the States finish on the Friday they have the 'Great Race' starting on the Saturday which is a 37nm race from the Gold Coast to Brisbane which has $2000 prize money up for grabs. This is a very unique race and attracts a lot of coverage.

The Southport YC which is hosting the event is the same one which will hold the 2nd Nacra Infusion Worlds in Feb 2013, so it's a great chance to come along and check out the club and accommodation.

There are 8 boats coming down from Nth QLD and two from Sydney along with all the local boats so hope to see you up there.

I will try and post updates and photos from the event as it happens but cannot promise anything.

Pulbah Island Marathon

Ten F18s joined the mixed fleet to compete last Saturday in the Pulbah Island Marathon which is a 40km race around beautyful Lake Macquarie. A inconsistent light southerly tested the concentration and tactical skills of all the sailors.
The course was shortened at Wangi Point as the breeze completely died and the back of the fleet caught up with the leaders. The lead changed many times on the long sail back as different sides of the lake got different breeze. The fleet were surprising close at the end of the long race with only three seconds between the two leaders and many others boats finishing within seconds of each other.

Congratulations to the winners Grant Rogers and Neil Moxham who finished three seconds ahead of Brett and Lachie White. Six of the F18s were sailing with teenagers onboard which is great for the future of the sport. We welcome Troy and Jordon Atkin who have just bought a Tiger and raced with us for the first time.

Pulbah Island Marathon Results

1st Grant Rogers and Neil 3:25:22

2nd Brett and Lachie White 3:25:25

3rd Grantly Pellew and Dave Fisher 3:27:45

4th Glen and James Towndrow 3:31:04

5th Connor and Ian Simpson 3:31:32

6th Grant Bow and Scott 3:33:23

7th Bruce and Bridget Gunn 3:33:35

8th Leanne and Stuart 3:33: 51

9th Terry and Andrew 3:33:52

10th DNF Troy and Jordon Atkin

2012 Viper National Titles (by Brett Goodall)

Report by AHPC: A perfect performance from Team Magic Marine - Carolijn Brouwer and Brett Goodall, at the last day of the 2012 Viper Nationals.

Starting the day being 2nd with 11 points, behind Jason Waterhouse with 7 points, they had to do everything in their power to come out the winners of this event, and they did.

In light and shifty conditions the fleet had still 3 races to go. Straight from the start Carolijn took the lead and did not let it go. While the rest of the fleet was struggling with the shifts and pressure differences, turning the positions 2 till 7 upside down and back in matters of half a leg... Did Carolijn manage to secure her first position. Greg Goodall took his 'free out of jail'-card sailing from back in the fleet to being fifth at the last top mark, to finishing 2nd. Very much to Adam Beattie’s dislike, who battled the whole race for that second position and ended up being 3rd, still in front of Jason Waterhouse who ended up with his drop (4.00).

The second race, was pretty much the same. Carolijn and Brett took off to leave the rest of the fleet battle out the other positions. This time Adam Beattie, again defending his second position, lost it again, ending up 5th this time, behind Adrian Fawcett coming second, Jason Waterhouse third, and on a photo-finish together with James Wierzbowski taking the 4th position.

Marja van Helden (Adam Beattie's crew): "It was so hard defending your spot, especially downwind, were we would sit in nothing and the rest behind you just comes down with a breeze line, and there is just nothing you can do. Very frustrating from time to time, but even more respect for the consistency Carolijn was sailing with today."

With Carolijn winning these two races it all came down to who would win the last race. So Jason and Carolijn started to matchrace each other before the start. A start that was won by Jason Waterhouse, who made it first to the top mark, followed by Carolijn Brouwer and Adam Beattie. But Carolijn fought back and got the lead over Jason, who in his last upwind was past as well by Adam Beattie. Making Carolijn Brouwer and Brett Goodall the 2012 Viper National Champions.

As I said, a perfect performance from Team Magic Marine - Carolijn Brouwer and Brett Goodall.

Congratulations to them and congratulations to Team Magic Marine - Adam Beattie and Marja van Helden, with their 3rd position."

(And to the guys who came second…Ed)

Overall positions after final day of racing:

 

1 Carolijn Brouwer

2 Jason Waterhouse
3 Adam Beattie
4 Adrian Fawcett
5 Greg Goodall
6 James Wierzbowski
7 Liam Goodall
8 Don Dull
9 P. Boutonnet
10 G. Weeks

Brett Goodall

Hobie Wildcat For Sale

2011 Hobie Wildcat

Australia's most successful F18 is for sale

Just letting you know the Hobie Wildcat of Jason Waterhouse is for sale if anyone is interested here is the info:

the current Formula 18 national champion boat
the current Formula 18 state champion boat
one year of age
fantastic condition and tricked out

Prices:
-$19,900 without trailer
-$21,900 with trailer

For further information please contact me at:

• jason-waterhouse@hotmail.com
• +61 435 340 095

Palm Beach Sailing Club 50th Birthday Bash

One of Australia’s most successful Multihull clubs is celebrating 50 years on the 11^th of February.
If you disagree you will just have to come down to the club on the day and discuss the matter…

Program for the day; 1100hrs BBQ brunch and rego, 1230hrs briefing for a 1300hrs start. 3 maybe 4 races back to back. No charge Palm beach registered boats. $10 for visitors.

For more info on the day check out the web site www.pbsc.org.au

Sailor Spotlight (Benson)

Benson @ the A Class Nationals 2012

Name:  Jack Benson

Age:       24

Home Town / Club:        Darwin Sailing Club

Class:    A-class, formula 18, just about anything multihull

Years Sailing Class:  9 years racing

Favourite song:                   Crossroads, Tracy Chapman

Favourite food:                  Fresh fish

Favourite Place to Sail: Botany Bay

Most Rewarding result (where & when):   3^rd place overall and 1^st junior, 2010 Cesenatico, Italy

Why this class: The a-class currently has some of the worlds best sailors competing in it and formula 18 is the largest cat fleet in the world.

Funniest moment on boat: The first week of trying to learn how to trapeze down wind on the A-class.

Who do you sail with (training partners):  Steven Brewin, Chris Batenberg

Why Harken:  Light weight and reliable

Favourite Harken product:  The T2 series

Goals:  To win an open world title and make a career from sailing

Closing comment:  Always have fun cause if your not enjoying it then why are you doing it.

2012 Sail Sydney Regatta