18 crews turned out for the WA State Championship.
Graeme Taylor, James Mayo and Richard Allanson came ‘over from the east’ and won the event, but that is far from all the story of the event. Jason Poutsma with his young Laser youth crew of Xavier Bates, George Elms and Thomas Cooper in AUS883, sailed flawlessly to win the last race to win teach us all how excellent teamwork, trim and strategy can beat anyone. Peter Merrington, Ian McKillop and George Boulden Came over from Sydney and settled easily into the course and local scene and finished a solid 2nd overall. John Bertrand, George Richardson and Lewis Brake gave us all a couple of lessons with two first places to finish 4th overall.
A tricky bumpy track greeted competitors on the Saturday with oscillating and variable 10 to 12 knots. Four races on Saturday with 3 winners in John Bertrand’s Triad 2020 , with 2 wins , Graeme Taylor’s Magpie and Chris Hampton’s Tango. Sunday was a scorcher and tricky light winds that only allowed 1 race after 6 hours on the water. That’s the one that Jason Poutsma and his team of juniors gave us all a lesson.
Acknowledgement to Alistair McMichael and his team for pushing hard to get to the event and similarly Harry Coulson and his team for overcoming significant damage not so long ago to make it too. Also Matt Ramaley and his team who had transport delays but made it to the start line with a borrowed boat. All these competitors make great events.
Clearly everyone fell in love with the venue and course area. The clear water, all the way to the bottom was quite a distraction while one is to concentrate on racing. It was hot, but that made an ice-cold beer after the racing back at host venue, Royal Perth Yacht Club’s Annex, all the more rewarding. Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club’s race management team headed by Kim Laurence on the water and Sharon Skinner on shore were immaculate and absolutely part of the sailor’s family off the water. Many thanks to the team.
The only work our Jury Chair Richard Goldsmith and his team had was to enjoy the company of the competitors at the bar and BBQ after sailing. Everyone on the water played fair and there was great examples of fouls being resolved by volunteered penalty turns so the results reflected fair play on the field.
On shore catering was headed by Chris Hardy (labelled ‘Chief Chef’ but also past Commodore of Royal Perth Yacht Club, founding member of Etchells in WA and donor of the WA State Championship trophy). Gourmet BBQ, Port Lincoln chill muscles and locally brewed beer met competitors and volunteers after practice and racing and by Sunday evening it was hard for everyone to leave.
Next regatta will be the Bill Steel pre-worlds regatta starting 11-13 March 2024.