Valmadre Series and Pantaenius Australian State Championships overall

by Edward Fethers on 19 Jul 2015 Valmadre Series and the Pantaenius Western Australian State IRC Championships 2015 – With the windward leeward racing cancelled due to forecasts of rapidly building north westerly winds there's an opportunity to reflect on the great racing and the intriguing battles within the three divisions and the double handed group in Saturdays Mayflower Race which was the third.

The first surprise of the day was spotting Match Racing legend and Americas Cup helmsman Peter Gilmour on the helm of the front runner in Division One the Next Factor. Gilmour wasn't the only change on the Next Factor boat builder Peter Milner and 2013 sailor of the year Ella Clarke also joined the crew.

There was some tight racing in all fleets, however, the intriguing battle in light airs on the work up the last beat to the finish the Carceek47 Indian of Craig Carter and the Tp52 Calm of Tony and Astrid Mitchell was a highlight. Indian won the battle in the end by only one second. The win topped off a great day for the Indian, nailing the start, winning the tight rounding at Hall Mark and looking strong through all of their manoeuvres.

Division two has the largest number of competitors and here it seems Giddy Up and Joss are enjoying each others company and in the battle of the Foundation 36 yachts By in Large is having the better of The X Factor. Throw in a This Way Up a Lets go Cruisin and a Cougar and there's more than a chance of French Kiss at the very willing starts. Thankfully insurers Pantaenius with local representative Manfred Speicher has been standing by.

Alison Stock's Selkie and Laurie Flynne's Dynamic have been only seconds apart in two of the three races so far in this winter wonderland of sailing action.