Sailors rate Sail Sandy 2014 a huge success!

by Chris Furey on 22 Oct 2014 With record entries, fresh breezes, superb facilities, friendly volunteers and quality race management, Sail Sandy 2014 has been rated the best ever by competing sailors.

The morning of Saturday October 18th saw the Sandringham Yacht Club boatyard rapidly fill up with boats and excited sailors as they prepared for the racing that afternoon. Registration was trouble free and Sandringham’s new electronic sign-on and sign off proved to be both user friendly and efficient.

A Regatta record 210 entries were received across twenty one classes, divided in to ten divisions according to their Yachting Victoria yardstick ratings.

PRO Steve Aulich conducted a mass briefing for all the competitors at 10:00 am to set the scene and then it was out on to Port Phillip where racing was conducted on four separate courses.

Junior sailors in Optimists, Minnows, O’Pen Bics and International Cadets raced right in front of the Sandringham Yacht Club on a trapezoid course.

Tasars, 420s, Laser 4.7s and Radials, Finns, Pacer Pursuits, RS 100s and RS 200s raced to the north of the club.

The faster I14, 29ers Musto Skiffs and Multihulls raced on a windward leeward course further offshore.

The beginners had their own Green fleet Optimist course, racing around marks in the Sandringham boat harbour on Saturday afternoon. They were entertained with games and boating instruction by their coaches on the windier Sunday.

Saturday saw racing start on time at 12 noon and all classes completed four short races in a steady 10-15 knot northerly wind. Smooth seas delivered ideal sailing conditions for great competition and saw races keenly fought from start to finish.

Sunday dawned warm but much windier with competitors held ashore as the winds gathered strength on Port Phillip throughout the morning. While waiting two hours for the winds to abate, competitors were able to catch up with their fellow sailors all around the boat park. The winds gradually abated to a 20-25 knot north to north westerly and there was much excitement when the AP flag was finally lowered and the boats were launched to make their way out to the courses to commence the final session.

Racing was fast and furious in the warm fresh northerly with exciting, spray drenched sailing for all competitors. With a southerly front forecast to arrive, race officers kept a wary eye out and managed to complete all races in time to have the Optimists, the final class on the water, back on the beach just minutes before the predicted cold southerly front arrived.

The Regatta presentation took place on the raised northern podium at Sandringham Yacht Club. MC and PRO Steven Aulich was ably assisted by Sandringham Yacht Clubs newly appointed Commodore Kate Mitchell, other Club officials and guest presenters. Popular Race technical Officer, John Middleton, amused the crowd with his special ‘Middo’ Awards for blunders observed by the race management team on the courses. Some of those involved falling off boats while racing while other prizes recognised sportsmanship and courtesy. Optimist s Mopti and Lopti were rewarded for their cute names, while RIB driver Terry Cavanagh was rewarded for catching a large Snapper while on duty.

The overall winners of the Regatta are decided using Yachting Victoria Class yardsticks with results weighted across all classes and divisions.

The overall winner of Sail Sandy 2014 was Steven Case of Royal Geelong Yacht Club sailing his Optimist dinghy 'Assassin' AUS 1111. Runners up overall were Louis Schofield and Peter Allen from Royal Yacht Club of Victoria in their International Cadet 'Jonathan L' AUS 9931 with Brody Riley of McCrae Yacht Club third overall in his Laser 4.7 'Spindrift' AUS 202747.

Both days of Sail Sandy 2014 action, ashore and afloat, were covered by leading yachting photographers Steb Fisher and Bruno Cocozza. Their stunning images, some of which appear here, may be viewed on the Sandringham Yacht Club website.

Sandringham Yacht Club would like to thank their Race Management crews and the whole team of eighty-five volunteers, who all worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the 2014 event.

Ronstan, OTB Marine and Anchor Marine supported the Regatta with numerous prizes for which the Club expresses its appreciation.

Planning for Sail Sandy 2015 is already under way. Mark it down in your diary for October 17 and 18, 2015 and record Sail Sandy 2015 as a must do event! We look forward to seeing you there.