Bob Sayer, Tuesday, 3 March 2009
SE QLD 125 Titles
Race Day 1
Race 1 was held at Humpybong Yacht Club (Woody Point). It was the keenly
contested by 6 crews. Wind was as forecast, light (maybe 5 - 8 knots from the
NE), so the lightweights were favourites.
We welcomed a HYC member in 125's, sail number 2991 with Allan
Cragg at the helm. Sailing without spinaker and seeing the current State
Champion beside them at the start must have been daunting. Never the less
we hope they enjoyed racing with other 125's and hope to see them at the next
couple of SEQ races.
The triangle windward return triangle to finish course was favoured to the
port side, and the first reach was so shy all had no alternative but to keep
spinaker in the bag. Enough said, Waterloo (Jenny & Jack
Anderson) cleared out in the first upwind and held the lead to the finish.
However the remaining placings were very close. The second triangle saw many
changes in positions, with Oddly Enough taking second closely followed by a dead
heat between the two longest boat names in 125's. She Waits for No Man
(Derek Miles & Bob Sayer) and The Feelgood Shift of the Summer (Jonas Trefu
& Bevan Webber). Fifth was Accelerando (Emma & William Turner), followed
by 2991 Allan Cragg & crew.
Race Day 2
Race 2 was held at Darling Point Sailing Squadron as part of their normal
race day. Wind conditions were again light - 5-8 knots from the NE.
Accelerando was out of action, and with School Teams racing taking place
there were a couple of crew changes. Never the less the competition was hot
amongst all 10 strong 125 fleet sailing on Sundays at DPSS. The SEQ titles race
was won by Waterloo (Jenny & Emma Turner). Second came Oddly Enough and
third was The Feelgood Shift of the Summer.
Race Day 3
Race 3 was held at Cleveland Yacht Club - a long established club on the Bay.
Along with many catamaran sailors CYC also have one 125 (Craig Broadbent) and a
fair few Sabres and a Heron. The forecast was for light & the PRO said that
we would be lucky to get more than 10 knots. Well after a rather gentle first
warm up race, Race 3 commenced in a freshening SE, with a significant run
out tide. "Head along the shoreline then tack out to the mark" were the race
instructions, and all duly started on port tack. The old blokes in She Waits for
No Man thought they had this race - superior weight advantage must come
into play in these 15-18 knot breezes. Alas it was the The Feelgood Shift of the
Summer that showed us the way - same as in the warm up race. Oddly Enough again
picked up second, and they were followed home by the lightweights in
Waterloo (Emma & Crusher Ando). The old blokes had a swim on the last gybe
mark, shocked at the speed they could go under spinnaker, and their inability to
turn 90 degrees at speed. "Look out Hervey Bay, here we come" was their cry
after they stumbled ashore.
Overall placings (in the smallest SE Queensland Titles
for many years) are Waterloo 1,Oddly Enough 2, The Feelgood Shift of the
Summer 3, She Waits for No Man 4, Accelerando 5. Handicap
results were close and required a count back. The Feelgood Shift of the
Summer 1, Oddly Enough 2, Waterloo 3.
Thanks to our host clubs: Humpybong, Darling Point & Cleveland Yacht
Club, we really appreciated your hospitality. Hope we can get a better turn out
next season.
Report from Bob Sayer