‘tis done! - Australian Women’s Keelboat Regatta, Day 3

by John Curnow on 11 Jun 2012 Yes. It certainly is done at the 2012 Australian Women’s Keelboat Regatta (AWKR) on Melbourne’s Port Phillip. Well the on-water part anyway, for they are well into the party mode now, upstairs at the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron (RMYS) in St Kilda. It may be cold, but the rain is miles away, so the crews are sure to get the party started.

Now talking of done, nothing could be more of an emphatic closure than the efforts of the crew on board the Archambault A31, Penfold Audi Sport. Mostly, they sail against each other down on the Derwent River in Hobart on some of the top boats there. They come together as great friends for this all women event and by far, 2012 has been their best ever performance. Colleen Darcey (skipper), Lauren Davison and Caroline Walker represent the Bellerive Yacht Club. Sally Rattle (Archie, A35), Michelle Edwards and Heather McCallum the Derwent Sailing Squadron, with Sarah Baldwin from the Geilston Bay Yacht Club.

Caroline Walker from said of the crew’s wins in each of IRC, Australian Measurement (AMS) and Performance Handicap System (PHS), ‘I am happy now! Never been so stressed in my life. Not a good start for this last race, but we pegged the leaders back enough, so we’ll take that. Crew did an awesome job in the light and variable winds, so we are really looking forward to the do tonight and so very pleased to be hosting David (David Ellis, Penfold Audi Sport’s owner) at the bash, as a thank you for loaning his great craft to us. I might even let my hair down and possibly lead the way for the others. We are all smiles and what a great event. The Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron and the AWKR might even get us back, yet again...’

David himself was, ‘…absolutely thrilled that they could do it and I know Gareth and crew out at Penfold Audi in Burwood will be really delighted for them, as well. It’s one thing to have a well-prepared craft, but you still have to get out on the track and get the results! Sensational stuff.’

Erin Foster from Top Gun, said of her young crew’s second places in each of IRC, AMS and PHS. ‘A huge thank you and congratulations to RMYS and also all of the boat owners, our fellow competitors and associated shore crews. Great stuff. We are certainly and fired up for 2013.’ Top Gun was powered by, Megan Aulich on the bow, Cass Steers at the mast, Steph Robson in the office, Freya Vickery on for’ard sail trim, Stephanie Strong on mains, Claire Hunting as tactician and Erin with the tiller. ‘I am so very proud of them – brilliant job’, said a jubilant Erin.

Janet Dean and the crew of Jungle Juice collected a pair of thirds in IRC and AMS. We got to speak with Janet as she was preparing all the trophies and writing on the boxes for the engraver, so that the respective crews can receive their goodies all ready to roll and in some fly home with them. ‘Simply delighted to have such a strong and competitive Interstate contingent here for 2012, which really helps to make a truly Australian Women’s Keelboat Regatta.

Personally, we had a ball. It was great fun, but we were just not quick enough. You know, the other crews have done so well and my girls were just great!’ Speaking of which, Janet has given us the perfect segue, as on Jungle Juice, we have Christine Pfeifer on the bow, Janina Goethel at the mast, Ginnie Lhermet in the office, Georgie Labb trimming, Monica Tonner as tactician and also on trim, Celia Dymond on the main and Janet on the tiller.

McKenzie Charlton from Duckmobile who were third in PHS, said, ‘Many thanks to David Seaman, Rear Commodore at the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, for the use of his boat. Good to get on the podium on the last day with a terrific, fun crew and we certainly had a blast. We have improved every race of every day and hence the result, which is really cool. Probably be a scramble to get the silverware, but I think our Skipper, Kathy MacFarlane, will get the nod.’

Paul Pascoe, the PRO for the event, commented afterwards ‘Postponing for the hour this morning was a good and prudent thing. The Answering Pennant went up and then we got them away just before noon. Three vessels were involved in a luffing duel and we called them all back. Included in this mob was Penfold Audi Sport, along with Bushido and Nouannie. We had five to six knots out of the Nor’east and set the weather mark at 050 degrees. As is typical with these parts, especially at this time of year, it was more consistent closer in to the beach and so those that got in there early did better.’

‘Second around the top today was the Hanse 400, Kaberet, who today used their big symmetrical bag and that meant they held their own downhill. Tigris lead from gun to gun, sailing more distance with sharper angles, but they just kept extending their lead. Well-done and great to watch. Conversely, ‘Could not do a thing right, so we’re taking croquet’ was what Red Dog told me as they finished in a dying breeze. Race Management is well and truly happy to get the one race in the two hours when there was some breeze. Today was a case of sunnies required, but no T-shirts, alas. Still, we’ll take that every time’, Paul finished with.

‘We ended up with a complete series finishing in wonderful sunshine and everyone appears to be having a really huge time of it all as they relax on the deck. I am sure they would all love a long weekend off, but alas that’s just not going to happen. We had great crew of volunteers and with out them and our sponsors, Helly Hansen and Nautilus Marine Insurance, it just would not happen. Similarly, without Janina Goethel and her committee, the AWKR would not even get afloat,’ said Rod Austin, the General Manager of the RMYS.

See rmys.com.au for more information.