Gant Portsea Cup for Couta Boats
by Alex McKinnon on 5 Jan 2013
Greg Chisholm’’s C1999 Rhapsody and Tim Phillips’’ C17 Muriel on their way in to the top mark right off Portsea front beach - Gant Portsea Cup 2013 Alex McKinnon Photography
http://www.alexmckinnonphotography.com
Alex McKinnon was on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula to capture the Couta Boats in the Gant Portsea Cup. Nigel Abbott continued his string of recent victories with his crew on board, Romy, as the breeze built, the sunshine started to disappear behind clouds and the equipment began to fail or get damaged in incidents on the course near Port Phillip Heads.
The tide was running out quite quickly and there was a fair amount of shipping movement in the adjacent South Channel, as the race got underway around an old school Olympic course.
The pin end was very much favoured and Darney got away impressively, but for them, that was as good as it got, with a broken gaff later taking them straight off the track and home for an early beer.
A couple of individual recalls also meant to action was on from the word go and the judges too had lots to review as Division One and Two fleets began to separate over the long course and met at various turning marks along the way... Division Two Line Honours went to Trevor Martin's Joan.
Ultimately smiles won the day and by the looks of all the sailors back at the Sorrento clubhouse, a long and joyous season looks to be well underway. Well done to all the sailors and volunteers for being part of such a great event.
Details can be found at sscbc.com.au
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