The Hippy Chicks all go for Sail Port Stephens

by Jody O'Brien on 25 Mar 2009
One of the first returnee entries for Sail Port Stephens 2009 was a Newcastle boat called Hippy Chick and the owners and crew are keen to go one better than their 2nd place in the PHS division at the inaugural regatta last year.

Joint owners, Doug Williams and Chris Blanch, have known each other since they were kids and have been sailing together on and off for the last 30 years.

Last year’s Sail Port Stephens regatta was the first real test for Hippy Chick in Australian waters, having been purchased from Michigan in the United States and arriving in early 2008.

The boys are confident a year’s worth of sailing and getting to know the ins and outs of the boat will put them in a good spot to lay claim to the silverware at the end of the regatta.
And there’s a wide range of experience amongst them, as well as some local knowledge, having spent some time over the years sailing around the Port Stephens area.

'For Sail Port Stephens, Hippy Chick will be crewed by a great bunch of people who first sailed together on Doug’s previous yacht, Sitting Bull (a Bull 9000) about 5 years ago - and over the last few years, several of us have been competing in Etchells at Lake Macquarie and various other regattas ' said Chris.

'It will be great for us all to get together at a quality event so close to home – we had an absolute ball last year with the mix of racing and social activities 'he said.

'Both Doug and I are busy with young families, and our crew is a mix of people who are single and married, so the nature of the regatta works well for all of us –partners and kids can enjoy the social program and there’s plenty of fun for the singles in our crew who will be keen to sample the local nightlife 'he said with a cheeky grin.

The Hippy Chick crew are impressed with the standard of entries in the PHS division and are eagerly anticipating the competition.

'Our main focus will be on the 'The Real Thing', the other 1d35 sailed by Gary Holder and his crew' said Chris.

'Apart from them, there are many other boats that we should be closely matched with' he said, adding that they had the boat out of the water last weekend, checking a few things and getting her ready to be in optimum racing mode, so it’s all systems go in the Hippy Chick Camp.

Sail Port Stephens racing:

20-22 April - Commodores Cup (PHS)
23 April - Lay Day – Lunching Mischief at Peppers Anchorage – the Long Lazy Lunch
24-26 April - Yachting NSW IRC Championship
- Port Stephens Trophy ( PHS)

From little things, big things grow, and Sail Port Stephens would not be possible without the support of the foundation partner group of Nelson Bay Diggers, Shoal Bay Resort and Spa, Peppers Anchorage and All Seasons Salamander Shores –as well as the resource contributions of the supporting partner group in SLAM, d’Albora Marina, Yachting NSW and Business Port Stephens, an initiative of Port Stephens Council.

Wild Oats Wines also joins as a supporting partner this year, and their wonderful range of reds and whites, as well as a stunning rose, will be the wine in everyone’s glass at the regatta.

For more info and to enter, go to www.sailportstephens.com.au