Zhik Mission Beach Regatta

by Tom Orr on 30 Nov 2009
The Zhik Mission Beach regatta was held in on the weekend of the 24th and 25th October.

Seventy-five dinghies with over 130 competitors from Queensland and NSW assembled at beautiful South Mission Beach, Far North Queensland to compete in the clubs 30th annual regatta. Competitors enjoyed 10-15 knot conditions on day one and 5-10 knots on day two, with all scheduled races being sailed (five races for the cats and four for all other fleets).

The light conditions meant those carrying minimum weight had a slight advantage. As the breeze and lifts were constantly moving sailors had to be observant throughout all the races. The regatta included the F18 State Title as well as the Nacra NQ Championship. It was a welcome site to see the highly anticipated 'Around Dunk' race sailed on Saturday afternoon as in the previous two years this race had been cancelled due to strong winds. The F18 'ICE' sailed by Malcolm Richardson and Gordon Beath from Port Douglas were the first around Dunk in 2 hrs and 24 minutes with the last dinghy the Corsair 'Thong' crossing the finishing line in 3 hrs and 44 minutes.

The F18 State Championship was closely contested with the top three positions being up for grabs heading into the last race on Sunday afternoon. Eventual winners were Adam Beattie and Mark Leitner from Cairns in 'A Happy Little Vegimite' with Malcolm Richardson and Gordon Beath from Port Douglas in 'ICE' were runners up.

Results

Laser Full Rig: 'Bundy' sailed by Rob Newson from Tinaroo Sailing Club

Laser Radial: 'Tsunami' sailed by Danny Fuller from Townsville Sailing Clud.

Laser 4.7: 'Wipeout' sailed by Natalie Gray from Tinaroo Sailing Club.

Mixed Monohulls: 'Thong' sailed by Bruce Carter and Jim Hayes from Whitsundays Sailing club

Bics: 'The Pen-etrator' sailed by Angus MacGreager from Tinaroo Sailing Club

Sabots: 'Mission Impossible' sailed by James Orr from Mission Beach Sailing Club

F18: 'A Happy Little Vegimite' sailed by Adam Beattie and Mark Leitner from Cairns Sailing Club

Nacras: 'Wet Pussy' sailed by Steve Martland from Townsville Sailing Club

Mixed Cats: 'Slytherin' sailed by Rob Black and Rodney Elworthy from MacKay sailing Club

Tasars: 'Tortle' sailed by Peter MacGreagor and David Simonds from Tinaroo Sailing Club