Milang-Goolwa Freshwater Classic - Excellent conditions for the fleet

by Louise Edwards on 31 Jan 2014 At the 2014 Marina Hindmarsh Island Milang Goolwa Freshwater Classic, it was a majestic sight for the hundreds of spectator boats lining the river between Clayton and Goolwa as a large fleet of boats raced their way along the channel to the finish line.

A fleet of nearly 200 yachts from around Australia lined up for the start of The Marina Hindmarsh Island Milang Goolwa Freshwater Classic on Sunday the 26th of January.

The course took entrants across Lake Alexandrina, leaving a midway buoy and beacon 88 to port before rounding Point Sturt, along the River Murray and under the Hindmarsh Island Bridge to the finish line in front of the Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club.

The forecast had predicted light winds softening around midday before the sea breeze kicked in early afternoon. However by the time of the first start there was a very respectable 10 knots from the NE which strengthened and stayed in all day. With a reach of the start line no tacking was required and it was a quick sail to Point Sturt.

From Point Sturt yachts cracked the sheets, hoisted spinnakers and poled out their headsails and thoroughly enjoyed the run along the River Murray, past Clayton and into Goolwa. The wind strengthened as the race went on allowing all yachts to reach Goolwa by early afternoon.

The race formally concluded back at the Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club, where the Official Presentations took place. Brendan Murray, Commodore of the GRYC, in welcoming competitors and guests noted: 'No other freshwater yacht race brings competitors and spectators together the way this classic yacht race does. I want to thank the hardworking team of volunteers who have made this event such a success.'

The 'Cock of the Lake' trophy, for the fastest elapsed time in any division went to Speedracer an F16, skippered by E Barrett. Speedracer narrowly finished ahead of BOHICA who took out a swag of trophies including the Out of the Blue perpetual trophy for the Race Record in Division 2, finishing with an elapsed time of two hours, 47 minutes and 59 seconds.

The Crowhurst trophy, awarded to the first Division 2 boat to round the buoy at Point Sturt, was taken out by Bohica, skippered by Todd Bartlett. In accepting the Crowhurst Trophy Todd, in his typically modest fashion, thanked his crew, organisers and the other racers.

The Blue Darling Perpetual Cup for the fastest time for a trailable yacht in divisions 2, 3, 4 or 5 went to: Division 2 Bohica Todd Bartlett.

The W.R.Appleby Perpetual Cup for the first boat to finish on corrected time in Division 1, Vintage River Boats, went to Curlew, owned and skippered by Brett Hoppen who praised the event in his acceptance speech: 'I want to thank the Flag Officers of both the Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club and the Milang Regatta Club and everyone in both ports for a great race – there’s nothing like it.'

Meanwhile, the Patrons Trophy for the fastest elapsed time of an unplaced yacht went to one of the yachts with the most graceful lines on the water, Nimue skippered by Michael Jolly.

The A.B.Kinnear Perpetual Trophy for the first yachts on corrected time in Divisions 2 and 3 was presented to Bohica, a Boatspeed 23 skippered by Todd Bartlett from Division 2.

In a long held tradition, the Keith Veenstra Memorial Trophy for the first Restricted 21 to cross the finishing line was awarded to Bright’un. In accepting the trophy, Mike Shirmer who owns and skippers Bright’un paid his respects to the Veenstra family and thanked them for their ongoing support to the Goolwa yachting and boating community.

Due to a large number of protests, the following results are unofficial. The official results will be posted in the coming days on Goolwa Regatta Week.

Provisional results pending outcome of current protests

Division 1
Line Honours: Nimue (Michael Jolly)
On Corrected: Curlew (Brett Hoppen) Marguerite (Bram Portas) Galatea (Dan Haynes)

Division 2
Line Honours Bohica (Todd Bartlett)
On Corrected: Bohica (Todd Bartlett) Armadeiras (Matt Fisher) Vintage Red (David Howard)

Division 3
Line Honours: Cat-el (Peter White)
On Corrected: Tresco (P Galbraith) Cat-el (Peter White) Southern Accents (D Marsh)

Division 4
Line Honours: Dirty Sanchez (Amos Zadow)
On Corrected: Bacchus (Anthea Broad) Elanora (Louise Edwards) Maid Marion (Peter Shipside)

Division 5
Line Honours: Inukshuk (B O'Reilly)
On Corrected: Inukshuk (B O'Reilly) Sol Mate (Grant Maddern) Southern Pride (M Keith)

Division 6
Line Honours: Carbon Credit (P Hawker)
On Corrected: Carbon Credit (P Hawker) Wilparina II (Rob Remilton) The Tribe (J Hardy)

Division 7
Line Honours: Under the Radar (P Kirk)
On Corrected: Under the Radar (P Kirk) Elusive Prey (D Lewis) Tscheuess (M Windle)

Division 8
Pending

For the full results, visit Goolwa Regatta Week or GRYC.