Champagne sailing at Bavaria Regatta

by Media Services on 7 Apr 2004 The Bavaria Regatta is an annual event, presented by North South Yachting and held in conjunction with the Australian Bavaria Owners Association (ABOA) each autumn on Sydney’s Pittwater.

On Saturday April 3rd a large group of Bavaria Yacht owners and their crew enjoyed a big breakfast at the Royal Prince Alfred’s Yacht Club, while Regatta Sailing Director Denis Thompson provided the briefing.

The 17 yachts were grouped into three divisions starting on the one start line.
The first race started in light and fluky conditions and the start line was unusually friendly, as befits such a relaxed day.

Andrew Pembroke’s Hairy Mary lead the fleet across the Mackerel Beach finish line followed by Jane and Tim Mussared’s Tandanya with Dean and Sandra Fehlberg’s Patrizia Noelle third. Finishing in fourth place was Carina 3 skippered by Trevor Hargeaves. Third division star John Stinson and David Poynter’s Pacholi, was fifth.

As Bob Mulkearns commented, ‘It was a pleasant beat in 8-10 knots and we’d all worked up an appetite.’

Two hours after the morning race start the entire fleet had crossed the Mackerel Beach finish line and the boats were rafting up cruising style at The Basin, for a leisurely lunch in the sunshine.

A welcome surprise visit from Ben Piggot from NSY, delivered champagne and Bavaria beer to all the competitors.

After a leisurely lunch in the sunshine, the afternoon race start line was even more relaxed. There was a little more breeze and ‘champagne sailing’ prevailed.

The second race ran on a reverse of the first course, from Mackerel Beach back downwind to RPAYC.

In Division 1, it was Hairy Mary first across the line but Bob Johnson’s Harmony won on corrected time from Hairy Mary and Inca. In Division 2 Patrizia Noelle was first across the line with Patrick Houlihan’s Innisfree winning on handicap. In Division 3, Pachioli led on line honours, but Damien and Martine Ford’s Water Not Mortar, took the handicap honours.

After a pleasant and relaxed day of racing, the evening’s Dinner Dance was a great success. A very friendly group of owners and crew enjoyed the hospitality at the Alfred's, great as usual, and the new team in charge of catering made sure the food was fabulous and the evening ran smoothly.

Full results are as follows:

Division Place Boat Owner

Overall 1st Place Water Nor Mortar Damien Ford


2nd Place Hairy Mary Andrew Pembroke

3rd Place Harmony Bob Johnson

Line Honours 1st Place Hairy Mary Andrew Pembroke

2nd Place Patrizia Noelle Dean Fehlberg

3rd Place Tandanya Tim Mussared

Division 1 Bavaria 42-44 1st Place Hairy Mary Andrew Pembroke

2nd Place Harmony Bob Johnson
3rd Place Inca Rob McClelland

Division 2 Bavaria 38-41 1st Place Innisfree Patrick Houlihan

2nd Place Tandanya Tim Mussared
3rd Place Patrizia Noelle Dean Fehlberg

Division 3 Bavaria 34-37 1st Place Water Nor Mortar Damien Ford

2nd Place Kristine Warwick Akhurst
3rd Place Pachioli John Stinson
David Poynter

Most Improved Overall Banyandah Stephen Smith




This success of this event was made possible with the help of the following sponsors:

Boat Valet, Boatworks , Harken Australia, Hungerford Hill, Keith Francis Marine
Navman Australia, North Sails, Pittwater Marine Trimming, Quays Café, Church Point Quays Marine & Mechanical, Quays Shipwrights and North South Yachting.

All awards presented by Bob Mulkearns and Ralph Hogg of North South yachting.

For more news and images from this event www.bavariayachts.com.au
or www.northsouthyachting.com.au