Please select your home edition
Edition
Sail Port Stephens 2024

Benidgo Bank Blackwood River Challenge - Spills and thrills

by Jenny Honeybun on 6 Apr 2015
Bendigo Bank Blackwood Challenge winners Louis Proksch, Steve Dickenson, Bendigo Bank Manager Nigel Jenkins, Steve Heywood, AYC Commodore Peter Johnson, Brenton Air, Bruce Quail, Steve Flower, Kate Hunt, Morgan Flower and front: Eoin Lindsay, Finian Demou, Dean Cowan and Rebecca Hunt Joan Embry
Augusta Yacht Club hosted the Bendigo Bank Blackwood Challenge, a popular annual series attracting sailors from Augusta, Dunsborough and Perth.

The big smoke team of GP14 sailors conquered the Dunsborough Bay Yacht Club GP14s in gusting conditions up to 20 knot winds. Unfortunately Perth sailors Linda Harris and Anna Spinks of Mounts Bay Sailing Club had gear breakage at the start of the first race knocking them into spectator seating. The reigning champions Bruce Quail and Steve Heywood in La Rousse were fairly well beaten by Louis Proksch and Steve Dickenson in Cocktail Cherry after gaining ascendancy in the spinnaker duels on the downwind legs. Dunsborough’s Blackadder crew Steve Flower and Dean Cowan got the laughs but, with club compatriots Morgan Flower and crew Finian Demou outperform the leaders from Perth.

Augusta club members held their regular Club handicap races at the same time, and three DBYC Splash dinghies also raced. The vagaries of the land and offshore breezes and gusty conditions provided exciting challenges for the two Hunt sisters, Rebecca and Kate, who had not experienced landlocked sailing conditions before, so there were plenty of thrills and spills – with experienced international Youth Laser sailor Caelin Winchcombe serenely sailing through it all on one of the Splash dinghies.

Saturday saw plenty of spill and thrills but, unfortunately, high winds and rough conditions on Sunday resulted in the cancellation of racing. The two wins for Cocktail Cherry on Saturday gave them the trophy and a Big Smoke win in the Teams’ event yet again.
Pantaenius 2022 - SAIL FOOTER AUSJ Composites J/45Flagstaff 2021AUG - Oceanis Yacht 54 - FOOTER

Related Articles

52 Super Series Palma Vela Sailing Week preview
The champions are looking to achieve lift off with new Platoon Aviation The reigning 52 SUPER SERIES champions, Harm Müller-Spreer's German flagged crew, start their title defence on Sunday on Majorca's Bay of Palma.
Posted on 24 Apr Triana & White Shadow finish Ocean Globe Race
Trinity Landing pontoon in Cowes was a busy spot Tuesday afternoon Trinity Landing pontoon in Cowes was a busy spot Tuesday afternoon with Triana FR (66) SWAN 53 and White Shadow ESP (17) SWAN 57 finishing the McIntyre Ocean Globe Race after 48 days of racing.
Posted on 24 Apr David Linger takes 6th in Global Solo Challenge
His journey was at times extremely difficult, even after arrival Sunday April 21st, at 2:03 pm local time, after 175 days, David Linger crossed the finish line of the Global Solo Challenge taking 6th place on his Owen Clarke designed Class40 #15 Koloa Maoli.
Posted on 24 Apr The road to Plymouth
2024 Cadet World Championship is heading to the UK Teams from across the world will be heading to Plymouth, one of the most historic and important naval towns in the UK, this summer for the Cadet World Championship from 3rd to 10th August 2024.
Posted on 24 Apr Cup Spy April 23: Swiss gain confidence
Alinghi Red Bull Racing had a good session in their new AC75, in a building breeze and foiling fast Three America's Cup teams sailed - two in new AC75s and the third two-boat testing/trialling in AC40s. Alinghi Red Bull Racing had a good session in their new AC75, in a building breeze foiling comfortably and fast at the end of the session.
Posted on 24 Apr Transat Ready: Solo Skippers Optimised For Success
All eyes turn to Lorient for the start of the Transat CIC With the Vendée Globe on the horizon, excitement is building as the IMOCA skippers hurtle towards the world's premiere offshore challenge.
Posted on 24 Apr Henri-Lloyd New Arrival: The Storm Dri Backpack
Perfect for any outdoor activity, commute and boat to shore use Perfect for any outdoor activity, commute and boat to shore use. The Storm Dri Backpack is waterproof, submersible and capable of holding all your kit essentials with a 30 litre capacity.
Posted on 24 Apr The Ocean Race will return to Genova
A key stopover for The Ocean Race Europe in 2025 The Italian city of Genova and The Ocean Race will extend their close relationship with The Ocean Race Europe bringing a fleet of foiling IMOCA race boats to the Mediterranean port in the late summer of 2025.
Posted on 24 Apr 69F Cup ready to rock at Fraglia Vela Malcesine
The entry list includes some teams with great specific experience on the 69F Eights international team are gathered at Fraglia Vela Malcesine for the opening GP of the 69F Cup: the points will be on the table between Friday and Sunday but trainings are under way on the northern Garda Lake.
Posted on 24 Apr The Famous Project: MOD70 Limosa in Portugal
Reaching the Portuguese Algarve port of Portimao this morning The Famous Project's all girl crew of the MOD70 Limosa reached the Portuguese Algarve port of Portimao this morning to successfully complete their main objectives.
Posted on 24 Apr
This site and its contents are Copyright © 2024 Sail-World Sail-World Australia and/or the original author, photographer etc. All Rights Reserved. Photographs are copyright by law. If you wish to use or buy a photograph contact the photographer directly.
If you have any questions about advertising or editorial then please contact our team. If you encounter any technical issues then please email techsupport@sail-world.com
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy