Chris of the Capital takes first Spiral National Championship

by Nicole Douglass on 8 Feb 2012 The 2012 Spiral Nationals were sailed from Teralba Sailing Club, Lake Macquarie, from the 26th to the 29th of January, resulting in great success for the Canberra Yacht Club.

The predominant north-easterly gradient breeze resulted in most racing starting from Marmong Point, with the top mark in Warners Bay. The 39-boat-fleet enjoyed the challenging racing, which was exceptionally tight due to the variable conditions and cloud effected race track.

The regatta started well for Canberra, with Nicole Douglass leading around the first lap of the first race with Chris Eddes on her heels. Chris took the lead on the second lap, and Nic held on to second as they gapped the fleet taking 1, 2 for the Canberra Yacht Club in heat one.

It was the two Chris’; Chris Eddes of Canberra, and Chris Loring of Concord Ryde, who continued to sail a very consistent series in the tough conditions and stay at the top of the score board.

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The championship came down to the final race, with both Chris’ on equal points going into the last day. Tom Spithill led around the first top mark from Chris Eddes, with Chris Loring not far behind. Chris Eddes managed to slip into the lead downwind, to take the eventual heat win, and also his first national championship. Chris Loring held onto second overall, with Glenn Hammond in third, Tom Spithill in fourth and Steve Leicester, also of Canberra in fifth.

Nicole Douglass, also of the Capital finished seventh overall, winning the Ladies division, and Shane Conly finished in eighth overall to take the Junior division. Other divisional winners included Glenn Hammond in the Masters, Peter Eslick in the Grand Masters and newly inaugurated life member David Loring in the Grand Masters. Matthew Taylor, a talented 470 sailor, took the visitors division from his brother and crew Ben Taylor.

The heat wins were shared amongst five sailors, with the new National Champion Chris Eddes, and top visitor, Matt Taylor taking multiple wins. John Talbot, Glenn Hammond and Tommy Spithill, who monstered the windier race, each had had one bullet.

Teralba was a great venue, with plenty of grass to rig on, easy launching and great views from many vantage points for spectators. Thanks to Teralba Sailing Club for hosting the event, and the Spiral Association for their behind-the-scenes efforts to put on yet another great regatta.

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The Spiral National Championship has been a goal for Canberra sailor, Chris Eddes for a few years, and he was extremely happy with his win at Teralba. 'It was an awesome regatta with very tight competition through the fleet and within every division', said Chris. 'The sailing conditions tested the tactics of each sailor, as well as their ability to make the boat go fast'.

Chris Eddes spent his youth developing his sailing in the Spiral class with the Youth Racing Squad in Canberra, and no doubt his success is thanks to the support of the Canberra Yacht Club and the CYC High Performance Coach, Craig Davidson.

The next Spiral Nationals will be sailed over the Australia Day long weekend in 2013 from the Canberra Yacht Club.

For more information on this excellent single-handed, one-design class, including photos and full results from the 2012 Nationals click here

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