Classic Yachts Winter Series - Tumlare’s show their pedigree

by Peter Costolloe on 21 May 2012 Melbournes Classic Yachts 2012 Winter Series Race 2 - Sailing under Port Phillip Bays renowned winter sailing conditions, vintage Tumlare’s showed their pedigree and put the fleet of 23 starters on the rack.

A corrected time honours, by a mammoth number, was the pay back to Doug Jenkin for his the restoration of the Tumlare, Ettrick. After 40 years of helming Tumlare’s, and surely with guidance from above by 'Knud Reimers', Doug Jenkin helmed Ettrick through the fleets wind shadows and the Bays wind flaws, to hand out a light wind sailing lesson never before seen on the Bay.

Watching a Tumlare matching the on water performance of ex Sydney/Hobarters, Kingurra and Boambillee, provided another example why, in 1938, the Tumlare was deemed by the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron to be the design best suited to all the sailing conditions Port Phillip Bay can throw up.

When questioned by the performance scrutineer committee, aka 'gentlemen at the bar', to find the answer to his lesson, Doug responded with one word 'Luck' then a few more words 'Luck to have a crew of his daughter Kate and Matt of the Solly pedigree. With their tight sailing and picking of the wind, Ettrick was held in the performance slot we dream of'.

Backing up the Ettricks sailing lesson was sister Tumlare, Ellida helmed by Charlie Salter, with verbal assistance from Phil Atkins. Ellida handed out a toasting to Mercedes III by 18 seconds.

Col Andersons Acrospire III blitzed the fleet to take line honors.

One other notable performance of the day was from Wanita. Back in the water after a refit and under the helm of Richard Gates. With a so so start Wanita was sailed hard to bring her back up to the fleet leaders.

Next 2012 Winter Series Race June 3