Black Betty dominant as Geographe Bay Race Week starts

by Bernie Kaaks on 18 Feb 2014 Fresh from her success in Geelong, the country’s largest trailer sailer (it’s a GP42) was carted back across the Nullarbor just in time to compete in the opening day of competition at Geographe Bay Race Week. With racing scheduled to start at 2:00pm, there was frantic activity on board during the morning. The cockpit was littered with tool bags and parts, one of the steering wheels was missing, the pedestal grinder had no handles and to the casual onlooker, it hardly looked like a boat that was going racing later in the day.

Casting aside the challenges, Black Betty made it to the start line in comfortable time and as expected, took line honours in both windward and return races held on the opening day. When IRC results were announced, she also opened her Busselton campaign with IRC first place in both races – a great start.

All cruising fleets sailed a short passage race in a light but steady south westerly breeze, to a finish line re-located adjacent to the long Busselton Jetty to allow better viewing of the event by spectators, who previously have only been able to see white triangles in the distance. The change is one of a number of designed to make Geographe Bay Race Week more accessible to the townsfolk.

Winston Scotney took the honours in Cruising Blue division for bigger yachts in his Warwick 46, Corniche. Tony Carter’s Beneteau First 40 Just Cruisin was first to finish, but was fourth on handicap results.

Todd Giraudo’s Jeanneau 3200 Kraken, which normally sails double handed, enjoyed a great afternoon with a full crew to take line honours in the Cruising Green division, but Ron Jensen’s Swarbrick 9.7 Next Phase took the handicap win.
Peter Godley, sailing on-water director Ken Waller’s Fremantle 8, the Jean Genie, cleaned up in the under 10 racing division (now nicknamed the 'Under 10’s' or 'Auskick') and in the Jib and Main division, Don Brooker’s beautiful Sense 50 scored a first and fastest.

Monday’s racing promises light breezes for the long passage race, except for the 'Under 10’s', who will race windward/leewards.