2012 John Farrell Able Sail Regatta at Royal Hamilton YC

by Robert Mazza on 18 Aug 2012 Following on the heels of last year’s immensely successful Mobility Cup (awarded both the OSA and CYA Regatta of the year award for 2011), the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club again hosted the John Farrell Regatta for Able Sailing in Martin 16s. This was also the Martin 16 Provincial Championship. This Regatta was instituted eight years ago for Able Sail in memory of long time RHYC member John Farrell. John’s Widow Stephannie served on the Race Committee and was a presenter at the awards ceremony.

As in all Able Sailing regattas, participants were divided into Silver and Gold fleets based on their sailing abilities. Gold sailors have the option of sailing single handed, or having a companion aboard to help with sail trim if required. All Silver sailors have a companion on board.

On the rainy and overcast Saturday racing the five Gold sailors raced in the morning and the five Silver sailors in the afternoon, with each fleet completing three very good races in the often gusty and wet conditions. The transfer of sailors and boats, often with the use of the dockside lifts, was accomplished mid-day. Sunday dawned still overcast, but the rain held off and the breeze was a steady 10 knots out of the west, allowing a further three races for each fleet, with the Silver Fleet racing in the morning and the Gold in the afternoon.

The six races per fleet allowed the contestants to drop their worse race. After the results were compiled the John Farrell Trophy was again presented to the Gold Fleet winner Cam Perry. Cam has won this regatta every year it was contested, beginning in 2003! The only year it was not contested was last year, due to the hosting of the Mobility Cup. All Martin 16 sailors are looking forward to Cam moving on to compete in his new 2.4! The winner of the Silver Fleet was Bryan Cuerrier from Quinte Sailability.

The final results in each fleet were:

Gold Fleet:

1st – Cam Perry 6 RHYC
2nd – Tracy Schmitt 12 QQDSP
3rd – Al Nichols 16 BSBC
4th – Brett Lyons 16 Quinte Sailability
5th – Bryan Doehler 17 QQDSP

Silver Fleet:

1st – Bryan Cuerrier 7 Quinte Sailability
2nd – David Helsby 9 QQDSP
3rd – Claire Adams 13 Quinte Sailability
4th – Brian Wice 19 RHYC
5th – Lisa Harris 26 BSBC

A special thank you was extended by Regatta organizer Jenny McEwen-Hill to the thirty volunteers who made this Able Sailing regatta the success that it was. The next big event for Able Sail and the Martin 16s will be the 2012 Mobility Cup, this year hosted by the Nepean Sailing Club in Ottawa in September.