Geelong’s Four Winds Marine wins Womens series
by Teri Dodds on 22 Sep 2008
Four Winds Marine regatta winners - L-R Jacqui Tribe, Lucy Townson and Teri Dodds - Women’s Elliott 5.9 Regatta 2008 Teri Dodds
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After a frustrating blowout on day one of the Womens Elliott 5.9 regatta, the teams were blessed with ideal conditions on Sunday. RYCV’s Principal Race Officer of the regatta, David Le Roy decided to abandon sailing on Saturday, as winds fluctuated between 20 –25 knot with squalls coming through and a predicted forecast of wind increasing to 35 knots.
So, a deflated but relieved group of female sailors went into the clubhouse, to decide the groups by ballot. Seven teams were placed into a ballot, for racing to commence on Sunday, with four boats available, two groups were to sail off five races, with the top two from each group going into the deciding final, later in the day.
This year, I joined Lucy Townson and Jacqui Tribe, in representing Royal Geelong Yacht Club. With sponsorship support from Roger Bennett of Four Winds Marine, we headed into the regatta, feeling ready for a great even battle in class fleet racing. Arriving early Sunday morning, we headed out onboard the mother ship Galaxy, to await the finish of group A to complete their five races, which was sailed in 10 – 12 knots of N – NW breeze.
It was clear RYCV representatives Kari Righton (skipper), Tanya Stanford (Main) and Kate Brown (bow) were the ones to watch as they took four of the five heats. Another RYCV crew Cath Beaufort (skipper), Erin Burns (main) and Paulina Hryniewiecka (bow) took the other heat and were to be the first two in the final.
At this time I hopped off Galaxy onto a support boat, and put my photography hat on to take some photos. Unfortunately at day’s end, this is the only group I was able to shoot as we were racing for the remainder of the day. Apologies to Group B and finalists, especially Four Winds Marine Team.
Back to racing for group B, we changed over boats to familiarize ourselves, adjust a few setups and get ready for starting sequence. Five heats were raced back to back in an increasing breeze in brilliant spring sunshine. A few mishaps of swimming spinnakers, round ups, and misleading mark roundings had everyone on the alert, as the breeze started to take its toll, later in the day.
We managed five wins in our heats, with RMYS’s Monica Dean (skipper), Janet Dean (Main) and Monica Tower (bow), coming in close behind us to make up the final team in group B.
So, two teams from host club Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, one each from Royal Geelong Yacht Club and Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron went into the final which commenced straight after group B’s heats.
With wind increasing to 25 knots, with some squirts ranging around 28, we hiked out for everything, as I’m sure everyone was aching after eight straight races. Choosing not to carry kites (no time to use the pole in 15 minute races) with the increasing breeze, we managed to hold on to three wins to take the series.
Congratulations to RYCV for encouraging women in sailing and particularly their organizing committee of Cath Beaufort, Lennie Beattie and Mary O’Brien. Also to PRO David LeRoy and his committee boat team, those who helped on training days, volunteers both on and off the water and fellow crews for a great regatta.
In the coming months, RYCV is promoting inter club events and will be hosting the Lipton Cup and Livingstone Regatta, so check out their website http://www.rycv.yachting.org.au/ for more information.
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