Well named Swift wins Australian Minnow Championship

by Di Pearson on 15 Jan 2005 Swift, sailed by 11 year old Timothy Hannah (SSCBC), has taken out back-to-back Australian Minnow Titles at Sail Melbourne, winning four out of five races sailed on Port Phillip Bay.

The series, conducted by Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron on Port Phillip Bay, was a seven race series

Three races were completed on January 12, originally set down as a lay day, after racing was abandoned on Day 1 due to high winds, the next day abandoned again due to no wind. A further two races were completed on January 13 in light airs, with racing abandoned in the afternoon when the wind died completely.

On the final day, mayhem ensued. Five general recalls in reasonably fresh conditions started the day, in which one race was completed. Then the wind died, but in the afternoon, back it came with a vengeance.

In a drama packed afternoon, the southerly change came in at 30 knots, and a shark, reportedly around 3 metres, had to be chased from the area. Fortunately, none of the competitors were aware and at no time were they in any danger.

With so many kids on the course in high winds, of course there were the inevitable capsizes keeping rescue boats very busy, the race committee shortening the course.

Fortunately, the Novices sailed on an inshore course with plenty of rescue boats helping the new sailors around the course.

A whopping 114 entries sailed the series - 79 in the Open event of which there were numerous divisions for seniors and juniors and 35 in the Novices class.

Novice entries had to be in their first year of sailing to be eligible to enter that event, whilst youngsters 12 years old upwards with more than a year’s experience competed in the Seniors section of the Open event.

In a remarkable effort for the 11 year-old, Hannah also won the Junior section; Dean Bennett (QE 11, Vic) finished second and also took out the Seniors division.

Third place went to Jarrad Lincoln (Water Torcher, Vic), who also scored second overall in the Seniors.

In the Novice section, Nick Fahey (Sail Rat, Vic) took first place, his score including three wins, from local boy Mitchell Petzke (Watercolour, Vic, BYS) with Mitchell Cittadini (Astrix, SSCBC, Vic) third.

Competitors sailed on triangle with sausage courses in mixed conditions in this popular strictly one design class, which is particularly attractive to many sailing families and clubs.

Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron put on their usual high class event with many volunteers in evidence making sure everyone had a great time, not just on the race course, but with their subsequent social activities.

Congratulations to the Darwin Minnow team who came a long way and did extremely well with three placings in the top 5 and particular congratulations to Tim Hannah who went back to back to become the 2005 Australian Minnow Champion.

Final top three results – Open:

1 Swift (Timothy Hannah) 7

2 QE II (Dean Bennett) 22

3 Water Torcher (Jarrad Lincoln) 30

Final top three results – Seniors:

1 QE II (Dean Bennett) 13

2 Water Torcher (Jarrad Lincoln) 14

3 Tangles (Christopher Lane) 22

Final top three results – Juniors:

1 Swift (Timothy Hannah) 6

2 Sonic (Ashlie Lane) 20

3 Osprey (Jackson Trotman) 30

Final top three results – Novices:

1 Sail Rat (Nicholas Fahey) 15

2 Watercolour (Mitchell Petzke) 18

3 Astrix (Mitchell Cittadini) 27

Full results and more: www.sailmelbourne.com.au