WA Open Bic Cup Regatta action packed
by Karen Thomson on 8 Mar 2012
Bic - Fun Race - WA Open Bic Cup 2012 Jennifer Medd
WA Open Bic Cup Regatta 2012 was held over the long March weekend (3rd to 5th) in Bunbury where WA Sailors from the Open Bic class of sailing dingy converged on Koombana Bay Sailing Club.
Light winds over most of the series meant the sailors needed to demonstrate all the skill that light weather sailing requires. The appearance of two large pilot boats amidst the fleet during one race also tested the nerve of the junior sailors.
Zoe Thomson of Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club won the Open Championship and Open Girls title. Zoe sailed an outstanding and consistent regatta that included three firsts, four seconds and one third to win convincingly.
Second and third place went down to the wire with everything hinging on the last race. Even then the final order was decided on count back. Top three places in the Open division went to Zoe Thomson, My Space first, Oliver Medd, Merlin Rocket second, Brendon Wright, White Out third.
Jordan Bishop of Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club showed steady improvement over the series which included a first place on the last day to win the under 12 category.
A commendable attribute of the sailors in the Open Bic class is their willingness to help each other both on and off the water. An attribute noted by a number of adults both spectators and competitors in other fleets.
The weekend of healthy competition concluded with sailors teaming up for a race with a Le Mans start, lots of capsizing, skipper and crew changes and a final dash along the beach to the finish line. Chaos and laughter filled the air bringing the 2012 Open Bic Cup to a close.
The Open Bic class continues to grow rapidly in WA with established fleets at Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, East Fremantle Yacht Club and growing fleets at Mounts Bay Sailing Club, Perth Dinghy Sailing Club, and Koombana Bay Sailing Club in Bunbury.
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