sail-world.com -- Hot start to Cockburn Sound Regatta
Hot start to Cockburn Sound Regatta
Sat, 29 Dec 2012
Heatwave conditions and light, fickle winds greeted the eager competitors on the opening day of the 55th Cockburn Sound Regatta, but there were no complaints. With the course and mooring area just off the Cruising Yacht of WA Clubhouse on Rockingham's beautiful beach, refreshing swims and cooling drinks between races were the order of the day.
The early light easterly breeze slowly faded during the morning race, with the resulting glass-off eventually giving way to a light westerly sea breeze. Race Officer Trevor Milton and his team were obliged to shorten courses, but were able to complete the morning's racing program. Sailors enjoyed the steady ten knot south-westerly for the afternoon races.
In Division One, Peter Hickson's Beneteau First 35 'Mulberry' achieved the IRC/PHS double for the morning race, to which the afternoon IRC win was added. Division Two results were shared around, with Colin Harrison's Sonar 'Noel Robins' taking the morning race and Greg Hill's Firefly 850 catamaran 'Whip It' winning in the afternoon. However, a pair of seconds to Nigel Kingdon's S97 'Mistress Quickly' showed the sort of consistency that wins regattas, and flies under the handicapper's acute radar.
Local TCYC boats continued their vendetta in Division Three, with Colin Jones' 'Anelaua' winning in the morning and Craig Nylund's 'Pi Phrontis' taking the afternoon, in both cases from Ally Mounsey's 'Lokman' and John Percy's 'Bonanza'.
The large and competitive Jib & Main division fought out a tight contest, with John Holder's 'Plus 16' prevailing in the morning race and defending regatta champions Neil & Wendy Harrison sailing 'Deckchairs Overboard' winning in the afternoon. Premier Cruising Division also produced tight racing, with Kim Jamieson's 'Intension' winning in the morning and Dieter Strauss' 'Unhinged' victorious after lunch.
In the Classic Division, Gary Martin's 'Acrospire' impressed again by winning in the morning, but may have attracted the handicapper's wrath, slipping to third in the afternoon behind Jay Lawry's H28 'Karoleeya' and Peter Joiner's 'Sir Henry Merkin'.
The Sports Boat fleet would have enjoyed more breeze, but still fought out two close races. Bob von Felton's Esse 850 'Caffe Macchiato' won the morning race, but Mark Robertshaw's Runnalls 8 'One Goat' struck back in the afternoon. A second and third to Mark Robins' and Natalie Jackson's Shaw 650 'Shaw Thing' sees them well placed as the regatta moves into Day 2.
With continuing hot and humid conditions and feeble winds forecast, competitors and race officers alike face another challenging day on the water.
Burke Marine
Burke Marine, suppliers of international quality marine clothing and equipment, was founded by Martin Burke on the shores of Sydney Harbour in 1971. Visit our website for your nearest stockist. [More info]
http://www.burkemarine.com.au
Ensign Ship Brokers
Ensign Ship Brokers was established in 1980 and has spent the last 28 years expanding our marine knowledge and developing our reputation! We strive to provide the very best service! [More info]
http://www.ensignbrokers.com.au/
GME Standard Communications Pty Ltd
Leaders in communications and navigation. Their goal has always been to make products whose innovation, convenience and peace of mind can help improve the lives of their customers. [More info]
http://www.gme.net.au
Hamilton Island Luxury Accommodation
Full range of private apartments, villas and houses on Hamilton Island. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 bedroom options available. All include buggy and island airport or marina transfers. [More info]
http://www.whitsundayholidays.com.au
Multihull Solutions
Multihull Solutions is Australia and New Zealand’s premier offshore and cruising catamaran and trimaran specialist, offering sales and servicing of the world’s finest multihull brands.
[More info]
http://www.multihullsolutions.com.au
Navionics Australia
Navionics is proud of its superb cartographic database comprising more than 25,000 charts and port plans; the largest privately owned database of its kind, the only one using full seamless technology [More info]
http://www.navionics.com.au
OziOpti
OziOpti is all about 'getting kids in boats' and the Australian company supporting the introduction to of the world’s most popular junior sailing yacht, the 'International Optimist Dinghy' [More info]
http://www.oziopti.com.au
Performance Sailcraft Australia (Asia Pacific)
Laser builder Performance Sailcraft Australia has taken on the successful RS Sailboat range from Britain, and is now licensed to build and distribute all of the RS range in the Asia Pacific region. [More info]
http://www.lasersailing.com.au
Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show
2013 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is Australasia's most significant marine lifestyle event. We look forward to welcoming you to the 25th annual event. [More info]
http://www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au/
Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week
Entries for the fourth annual Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week have opened! 4 days of racing, 5 days of fun – that is what you can look forward to from 3-7 September at Magnetic Island. [More info]
http://www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au
Ullman Sails
For over 45 years, Ullman Sails has been devoted to helping our customers reach their sailing goals. [More info]
http://www.ullmansails.com
VicSail Sydney
Vicsail Sydney Pty Ltd, launched into the Australian sailing fraternity in 1983 and has been sailing strong ever since. At Vicsail, “We Sail the Boats We Sell”. [More info]
http://www.vicsailsydney.com.au