Adams 10 Metre Class Australian Championship at Lake Macquarie Yacht Club - Preview
by Garth Riley 22 Jan 2019 07:28 AEDT
25-28 January 2019
Adams 10 Metre Class Australian Championship © Garth Riley
There is already a fleet of 12 boats entered in this years Adams 10 National titles which makes it one of the healthiest one design keel boat fleets in the country. With boats dating back to the early eighties which are still competitive.
Six boats from the Harbour were lined up at the Swansea Bridge at 4pm Saturday after a quick delivery trip in a 30knot southerly. Top speeds of high teens to low twenties were the announced through the "Schooner microphone": at the unofficial post delivery dinner and drinks at LMYC Bar. Most boats started the delivery with spinnakers but some were voluntary taken down and Hughie taking down the rest. There was even a Yellow fin Tuna caught by PowderHulk which I am sure the take as a good omen that they are going to bring home the goods.
The Sydney Boats are there and they mean serious business.They wish to take the trophy back from Tom Braidwoods aptly named local boat "Backchat". With a mix of local crew from the lake and some highly regarded personnel from the sailing fraternity he is the one to beat after taking out the 2018 national titles in Sydney Harbour.
The other boats also have a fair mix of heavy hitters in mix. The competition will be tight and any boat has a chance of winning. There is also a prize for the best wooden seat Adams 10m.
As well as the on water activities there is also a lot of onshore comradery. With a dinner for the teams on the Sunday night and bragging rights for the team who drinks the bar dry and is the last to leave.
Many of these boats have had the same ownership for decades. With a strict one design and little maintenance you can see why the make the perfect inshore club and twilight racer. With only exotic materials allowed for the Number 1 and 2 Genoa, A simple rigging plan and big open cockpit any Adams 10m can be turned into a winner. Also this not the only Adams 10m regatta for the season there is also the Sydney Harbour regatta on the 2nd of 3rd of March hosted by MHYC.
View entrants here.