Mission Beach Regatta 2011 went ahead depsite cyclones and record rain

by Tom Orr on 23 Dec 2011 The Mission Beach Sailing club were determined that the annual Zhik Mission Beach regatta went ahead this year, despite the havoc and damage caused by the category five cyclone Yasi in February.

While no lives were lost significant damage was done in the region and many club members are still in the process of repairing their homes and getting their lives back to normal. The clubs storage shed was lucky to escape with only minor damage and narrowly missed being swamped by the associated tidal surge. As it turned out the eye of the system had crossed the coast less than 2 km north of the club with winds gusting close to 300km an hour. Yasi caused estimated total losses of A$3.5 billion making it the costliest cyclone ever to hit Australia.

To add to this the week preceding the event saw the wettest two days on record for North Queensland with some areas receiving almost 700mm of rain, this reduced attendance as many more distant competitors decided it was not worth the risk to make the long trip north.

Racing over the weekend saw a reasonable breeze in the 10-12kts range and with nice sunny conditions predominating which was a pleasant change from the wet days leading up to the regatta.

As usual the round Dunk Island race was part of the regatta and for the second year in a row Adam Beattie crossed the line first in an F18.

Results

Laser – 'The Ducks Nuts' sailed by Dane Mouldey from Tinaroo Sailing Club
Bics – 'Kristen Wadley' sailed by Kristen Wadley from Tinaroo Sailing Club
Sabots – 'Another Menace' sailed by Emma Barsi from Townsville Sailing Club
Mixed Cats – 'Magic Marine Sail Structures' sailed by Adam and Darryl Beattie from Cairns Sailing Club
Mixed Monohulls – 'Smoke on the Water' sailed by Scott McInerney from Townsville Sailing Club
Tasars – 'Beebop' sailed by Lachlan Heath and Carmen Walker from Mission Beach Sailing Club