Australian Melges 24 Regatta Series overall

by Hamish Nicol on 11 Dec 2014 Vostok-Europe's Australian Melges 24 Regatta 2014 - Adelaide Sailing Club hosted the second in a two regatta series sponsored by Vostok-Europe over two days on the first weekend of December.

Day one was forecast to be weather more typical of late Spring with strong breezes expected to swing southerly through the afternoon building wave height to create the perfect conditions for this exciting one-design class. With Adrenaline helmed by Luke Stephens leading the series after the first regatta and all South Australian boats bar Robbie Duessen’s Red Mist (after returning from a second place on countback in the NSW States), the fleet reached for their reachers in the shelter of Adelaide’s SC’s harbour for an energetic and entertaining afternoon’s racing Melges 24 under the direction of PRO Mike Rogers and his ever-enthusiastic team of water-men.

Race one saw Adrenaline on the pace immediately with the lead at the first windward mark and picking up some spectacular speed downwind as the fleet split. It looked to be all Adrenaline halfway down the run but Dave Royle's Outlier picked up an almighty extended surf, confusing all (well this author at least!) with it’s ex-Accru kite previously seen on the ex- Accru Kowabunga. Outlier surfed in fine style to snatch the rounding only to see Adrenaline, having dropped its kite conservatively take the inside berth as Outlier's crew fought with a late douse. A short hitch to the wing mark achieved, the fleet soldiered back uphill through mounting seas keeping the foils working whilst hiking their guts out in the prescribed manner. The second down-hill saw Adrenaline make another break for it and this time win by some distance from Outlier.

Race two saw excellent one design racing with all boats, having further adjusted to the conditions, showing pace on the first beat including series sponsor Ken Abbott’s glamorously liveried M24 Vostok-Europe. Jason and Shevaun Ward's Concubine took up the cause now and pushed Adrenaline all the way with 'Conky' sniffing the lead at times. However with Luke Hookings calling tactics Adrenaline had the better of the selection of downhill lanes to win well in the end.

Race three saw Adrenaline once again the early leader grinding out an impressive lead as the fleet approached the first mark. However, perhaps tacking a little fine for the lay and with knocks aplenty Adrenaline touched the windward mark, losing much time getting thoroughly entangled as the following fleet passed by. Concubine ran out a convincing winner with Dan O’Connell’s Kowabunga pipping Vostok for second. A heck of a day of racing with all SA boats to be commended for the rapidly improving crew work in a decent blow. Beers at the dockside were followed by a typical ASC evening of fun with the M24 class holding its own amongst the numerous Sabre and Fireball wielding visitors.

Come Sunday being Adelaide the church bells were ringing as the M24 devotees set out for an early start. With a 10-15 kts forecast again from the South at least the crews wouldn't be on their knees. Race four saw Concubine handily get the better of Adrenaline with Matt Young helming Gary Shanks’ Out-rage-us for third. The always lurking Outlier got in on the act now in race five coming second to another winning performance by Ward on Concubine leaving Adrenaline third. The final race needed a good showing by Adrenaline but Concubine were up to the task and sailed a better race in the gathering breeze to put Adrenaline in second pipping Outlier at the line.

With that second place skipper Luke Stephens and his crew on Adrenaline had done enough to win the two regatta series overall in the end from a surging Concubine and an always competitive David Royle and crew on Outlier. Ken Abbott as sponsor presented Adrenaline's crew with an impressive and stylish Vostok-Europe watch to fight over.

The M24 fleet reconvenes the second weekend of December for the Xmas Sprint Series. Red Mist will return in addition to several East Coast visitors in town prepping for the 2015 Melges 24 Australian Nationals in January.