BIC sailors kept busy in Western Australia

by Daniel Medd on 11 May 2011 Western Australian Open Bic Class has had a hectic month of intense competition beginning with the inaugural WA Open BIC Cup which was at Mounts Bay Sailing Club in early April. Unfortunately, this was blown off the water with very strong winds continuing all weekend. The event would have to wait for another month as eight sailors headed east to compete in the Open Bic Nationals at Great Lakes Sailing Club in NSW during the Easter Weekend.

The WA team comprised: Andrew Ring, Andrew Briggs, Brendan and Shannon Wright, Oliver and Lochlan Medd, Jordan Bishop and Hayden Hunt, all from Mounts Bay Sailing Club. Our highest placed sailors were Andrew Ring who finished second in the Open Division and Oliver Medd who finished third in the Under 12 Division. Oliver and Jordan Bishop also placed third in the tandem freestyle event.

With the Nationals completed, it was time for the ‘postponed WA State Cup’. Of the original 21 entries only 18 could make the re-scheduled dates on the weekend of 7 and 8 May at Mounts Bay Sailing Club. However, it was worth the wait, as the event was blessed with beautiful weather and consistent wind. A total of eight races were sailed over the two days with additional Le Mans start fun races held on the Sunday afternoon. The competition in the point score races was second to none with several battles being fought in the various divisions for overall final placings. The most intense battle occurred between the two Wright brothers, Brendan and Shannon in the Open Boys Division. Rescue boats followed the fleet in the final and deciding race to watch the ensuing ‘dog fight’ downwind for position at the bottom mark. All was done with a spirit of fair play.

Trophies were awarded for Open Boys, Under 12 Boys and Open Girls with Brendan Wright taking the overall State Champion title for this inaugural event. Congratulations to all who participated. Thanks to the principal event sponsor, South Pacific Engineering and also to Zhik, Boating Hardware and Glide Industries for providing prizes.

The Open Bic fleet is growing rapidly in WA with a strong established fleet at Mounts Bay Sailing Club and fleets growing at Perth Dinghy Sailing Club, East Fremantle Sailing Club and Koombana Bay Sailing Club in Bunbury, the proposed location for the 2012 State Cup. For more information on the Open Bic fleets in WA contact Daniel Medd on 0402 416664.

Mounts Bay Sailing Club website