Cobra National Title to Rick Nixon

by Laurie Bradford on 13 Jan 2008 It doesn’t get any closer than this!

After 8 races of the Cobra catamaran Nationals, the score was tied between the two top boats. After a countback, the scores were still tied. Careful searching of the rule book by all parties followed until eventually the relevant rule was found – the best placed of the two contenders in the final race of the series was declared the winner.

Rick Nixon and his son Robby on DREAMWORX (Vic) followed up their last years win with a victory over Wes Miles/Amanda Badrock (Vic) on SCREAM by the barest of margins.

The competition at Speers Point A.S.C., Lake Macquarie, NSW had begun in light, shifting breezes which suited the lighter weight crew of SCREAM, giving them a 1-1-1-1-2-2-2-2 overall with DREAMWORX on 2-2-2-2-1-1-1-1.

As the tail of the cyclone mauling Queensland moved its way down the coast, the winds increased steadily and the balance swung to the heavier pair on DREAMWORX with SCREAM working hard to cope with the 15-20Kts winds.

With two races to go the scores were level. The committee boat set the start for race 9 in the middle of the lake, reporting a manageable 15 Kts. However, by the time the fleet arrived, the winds had strengthened to 25 Kts with gusts over 30.

The committee boat tried to establish a new course in the more sheltered area near the club, but soon realised after a number of gear failures throughout the fleet, that the race would have to be postponed. It didn’t take too long to further realise that the conditions would only get worse, so racing was abandoned – series over! And off to the rule book. The rest you already know- Rick Nixon had retained his title.

It appears now that the long held title dominance of the Queenslanders has been broken, as all placings went to Victorians. The club trophy went to Parkdale Y C (Vic) with the Masters trophy also collected by Rick, and the Veterans trophy and third place overall taken out by David and Lisa Badrock.

Whilst the two top boats were clearly superior , the minor placings were a hard fought affair between the Badrocks - KWITCHABICHEN, Laurie Bradford/Sam Stern –REDBACK and John/Georgie Bolton – DRAMA TEAM within a couple of points of each other throughout the series.

As is always the case in a Nationals series, there was no room for error. Handicap 1st place went to Derek Thornhill/Lisa Bolton on FOGHORN.

Overall, it was a great series with the close racing supported by the excellent organisation of the SPASC committee.

Congratulations to all competitors for the spirit in which they competed. All the details can be found on the Cobra website: www.cobracat.com

We look forward to meeting again next year at Rosebud, Victoria.

Laurie Bradford

Australian Cobra Catamaran Association