sail-world.com -- Strong winds in Brighton welcome competitors to the Sharpie Nationals
Strong winds in Brighton welcome competitors to the Sharpie Nationals
Sat, 29 Dec 2012
Gusts of up to 32 knots off the coast of the Brighton & Seacliff Yacht Club yesterday welcomed 66 Sharpies to the 70th National Championships in their invitational races.
Two invitation races were scheduled to be sailed on Friday the 28th in the blustery conditions however due to many retirements and a few breakages, Principal Race Officer and Club Commodore Tony Gold deemed it necessary to call it quits after the conclusion of Race 1.
The first race provided plenty of excitement with just under 70 six-metre weapons flying around the start line. Clear air and speed from the beginning was going to be crucial.
As conditions strengthened, the top sailors in the fleet shone through and flourished in the powerful Gulf St. Vincent sea breeze.
Sharpie veteran Geoff McCloud sailing one of the newest additions to the fleet 'Warpig' with Sam Flint and Mark Beaumont won the race in brilliant fashion, with Geoff proving to the rest of the country that he is going to be a force to be reckoned with for championship honours after only ever coming third as his best result on two occasions.
Second to cross the line was local favourite Mal Higgins sailing the newest boat in the fleet 'Focus' with Sam Sanderson and Andrew Chisholm. Mal sailed a very consistent race and ended up with a quality result showing the fleet that he can do it all in any conditions.
Third place went to Tasmanian Drew Latham in 'One Hump or Two' with Nick Carter and Nick 'Camel' Johnstone. These guys are former Australian Sharpie national champions and sailed a brilliant race in the first of the series. They look like they could be a serious contender for the national title come January 5th when it all wraps up.
With so many experienced and talented yachtsmen and yachtswomen in the fleet, this should shape up to be a fiercely contested series and a cracker of a finish, and more results will be posted as the regatta rolls on.
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