Catamaran Racing in the Whitsundays

by Ian Grant on 29 Jan 2002 Master yachtsman John Cadwallader was like an 'old kid' with an old toy when he steered the power sailing trimaran Ocean Emu to an impressive win in the Bizy Kidz twilight series trophy race.

Cadwallader perhaps better known for his 1999 Shell Coral Sea classic Cairns to Port Moresby race win with the larger trimaran Avatar was very familiar with the sailing character of Ocean Emu.

Winning the Bizy Kidz trophy was just another highlight in the association of a skipper and his former yacht, which he raced extensively in events around Australia including the XXXX Ansett Race Week at Hamilton Island.

He also contested the international Darwin to Ambon race and many other high profile events while plans were being made to replace the 'speed machine' with Avatar.

As expected the former abalone diver was in his element as spray spumed onto the deck when Ocean Emu pressed the accelerator down to revel in the moderate to fresh winds.

Her former skipper was also in his element as previous racing experiences of sailing in the fast lane came flooding back.

Cadwallader instinctively selected the most suitable sail power and ordered the crew to tuck a reef into the mainsail and hoist a small manageable headsail which was more than they needed to handle as they held on for a fast, thrilling and wet ride over the wind tormented waters of Pioneer Bay and the Whitsunday Passage.

There was always plenty to do for the five crew who were constantly referring to instrument panel as they eased and trimmed the sails in the need for more speed to allow Ocean Emu the chance to outsail her high penalty plus handicap rating.

The miles sped by at an impressive rate of knots to benefit the workload on the deck with a reward for the crew when Ocean Emu claimed a runaway line honours win and a rare handicap double.

Whitsunday Sailing Club race officials had hardly settled into their post start 'rest period' when Ocean Emu had commenced the final leg of the course to eventually power sail to her commanding win over the lower handicap rated X2 (Peter Millar) and Chris Nicoll at the helm of LJ Hooker.

Jeff Brown and his Elyara crew continued their success by winning both line and handicap awards in the highly competitive second division.

Elyara has produced her best results when the wind velocity presses the speed gauge into the moderate to fresh range.

Her skipper and crew also have a good understanding on how far they can press the leeward rail down as Elyara logs the required speed performance to beat her handicap rating.

This was again evident when skipper Brown steered Elyara to another win leaving Heather Sievers to resolve a close minor place match race by piloting Idle Time to secure second place over Treasure skippered by former Sunshine Coast and Mooloolaba Yacht Club offshore sailor Harold Menelaus.