Bundaberg Rum Festival of Sail Passage race results

by Di Pearson on 27 Jan 2002 A large fleet started Race 3, the 35 nautical mile Melbourne to Geelong offshore race today in Australia's largest keelboat regatta, the Bundaberg Rum Festival of Sail, organised by the Royal Geelong Yacht Club in Victoria.

Prior to their 9.00am start, Patron of the Bundaberg Rum Festival of Sail, John Bertrand AM, commenced the countdown, followed by the Premier of Victoria, Steve Bracks, firing the canon to signal the start from the tall ship Young Endeavour stationed at the start line,

Made up of multihulls, grand prix, trailable, classic and cruising yachts on two lines, the mixed fleet got away in a 20-25 knot northerly breeze - a spectacular sight, all under spinnaker on their way to rounding Fawkner Beacon for a two-sail reach home. The wind hung in for just over two hours, fading to 15 knots, then 10, with a change in breeze round to the nor-east holding for half an hour, swinging again to the nor-west, eventually kicking in at 15-20 knots on a stifling hot day.

Rager (SA), skippered Gary Shanks, led from the start to the finish at 0.6 mile off Royal Geelong Yacht Club, her nearest rival Kontrol (Vic) skippered by Peter Blake. Once the two had crossed the finish line, it was fast and furious with the bulk of competitors finishing in quick succession.

Overall placings for the day are making for some interesting series results, with a battle in a number of classes. In Division 1, Toe Cutter - Brad Bult (RYCV) won from Bindaroo - Garry Russell (RGYC) and Extasea - Paul Buchholz (RGYC). After three races, Toe Cutter has the edge over Bindaroo by two points, while Great Scott II - Eurof Phillips (RYCV) is 3rd overall with Chutzpah - Bruce Taylor (RYCV) in hot pursuit in 4th place.

In Division 2, AMS, Owl & Pussycats - Rob Davis (SYC) placed 1st, Mentor Magik - Steven Biggs (HBYC) was 2nd and Silverado - Ian Robottom (RGYC) 3rd. Overall after three races, Owl & Pussycats has a five point lead over Silverado, with Revenge - G. Mather (SYC) in 3rd.

In IRC Division 1, Enigma - Paul Kennedy (RYCV) triumphed over Chutzpah and Clockwork Orange - Eric Van Der Griend (SYC), while in VYC Division 1, it was Extasea over Bindaroo and Spirit - Kim McKendrick (RGYC).

In the Trailable Passage from Melbourne to Geelong, the locals once more triumphed with Maverick - Bill Lodge (RGYC) edging out Willawa II - Peter Clancy (BRYC) and Grey Nurse - Craig Rule (MYC).

Yachts are also competing in the Skilled Teams Trophy and Helly Hansen Teams Trophy. The teams comprise four club boats each. The Skilled Teams clubs include Hobsons Bay, Royal Brighton, Royal Geelong, Royal Yacht Club of Victoria and Sandringham. In the Helly Hansen Trophy, Royal Brighton, Royal Geelong and Royal Yacht Club of Victoria have fielded two teams each, Sandringham has one. Updates will be available on these positions on late Sunday evening.

The Cruising Yacht Division was well represented for the Coca Cola Trophy, with twenty graceful old ladies of the sea. Again, a local boat showed the way to the finish with Seabird - Richard Ham (RGYC) 1st to Autumn II - Kevin Landman 2nd and Merak - P. Markham (RYCV) 3rd.

The multihulls, as usual, looked spectacular, particularly with the running and reaching the day's sailing produced. Cascade - Alex McNaughton (MYC) came home 1st to Full Bore - Dean Snow (MYC) and Fatcat - Stephen Aulich (SYC) 3rd.

As could be expected at a regatta the magnitude of the Bundaberg Rum Festival of Sail, there were a number of protests lodged this afternoon; some involving start-line incidents, surprising considering both lines were lengthy.

At 1.00pm local time, the Couta and trailable boats got away in their Portarlington to Geelong Race, then at 1.30pm the Thunderbird, Dragon and Etchells classes had their start. On Course Area B, the Skiff classes and National Sports Boats also had a 1.30pm start.

In the Trailable Passage from Portarlington, Alouette - Warren Haskett (GTYC) got away from Slippery When Wet - Tony McKenzie (CoYC) and This Way Up - Ian Lane (CoYC).

Competing for the Pains Wessex Trophy in the Keel Passage Race, thirty four boats contested Division 1, with Razor Edge - G. Wilson/D. Robertson (RGYC), the local boat coming home 1st from Beyond Salvation - Andrew Gray (HBYC) and Unipro Ocean Road - Ken Simpson (RMYS).

In Division 2 it was Maitresse - Alan Webb (BYC) from Quicksilver - Greg Power (MMYC) and Flashpoint - S. Thistlewaite (RYCV). Thirty six boats contested Division 2.

Division 3 saw 30 boats at the start line with Akina - Lindsay Butler ((RYCV) winning over Knot a Clew - Rob Gregson (HBYC) and Naima - Keith Torode (RGYC) in 3rd.

The Couta Boat Series produced thirteen starters for Saturday's race and where else but Victoria would you see so many of these beautiful boats in action. Fancy - Paul Van Prooyen (WBYC) came in 1st, Elise - Wes Oswin (CBC) was 2nd and Kitty Miller - Steve Chiodo (SSC) 3rd.

In all, 14 yachts started in the Bundaberg Rum Trophy for Sports Boats. In Division 1, Race 1, it was C'est la vie - Pierre Gal (CHYC) true to her name, coming home 1st to ESP - James Neill (RPAYC) in 2nd and Nothing Else Matters - Mark Daly (SYC) 3rd.

Race 2 saw a different result with Nothing Else Matters getting the better of Sun Theatre Gavin Gourley (RYCV) and Ray Pak Wild Woman - Peter Layton (RYCV).

In all, over 400 boats - yachts, multihulls, keelboats, and off-the-beach boats are participating in the Bundaberg Rum Festival of Sail, which also incorporates the 138th Australia Day Regatta.

Sunday's racing includes two windward return courses for the yachts and multihulls, while the skiffs and National Sports Boats will race on a separate course.


For full results, go to the Bundaberg Festival of Sail website at: www.rgyc.com.au