NSW State Championships

Doug McGain in Code Violation eventually won the NSW States in a seemingly convincing style with 3 wins, 2 seconds and a 10^th finishing with 17 points. With no drops the regatta rewarded consistency and his 10^th place nearly took him out of contention to Arthur Crothers also consistent Kaotic, steered once again by Ben Lamb finishing just 2 behind on 19 points.

John Crawford in Innnaminka came in 3^rd with Steve Girdis in Convicts Revenge 4^th. The regatta was significant for the return to competition of a number of boats and skippers and the interstate participation. Peter Stevens came from Adelaide to sail one of Terry Wise’s Pacific Sailing School boats, Pacatack and 4 boats from Victoria also made the trip.

Dave Suda in Pacemaker was the best of the southern boats with Hugo Ottaway making a welcome return to serious competition sailing in Peter Moulang’s new boat Duck for Cover. Simon Grain in Make my Jay and Ron Thomson in Kicking Bottom also made the trip.

Local knowledge and good sailing made the difference with the interstate boats finishing back in the pack. Conditions were I am told – unusual. Compared to the wide open spaces of Port Phillip, the harbor was jam packed with boats – our fleet, other fleets, power boats and ferries of all sizes. A constant vigil for all sorts of water craft, including the first ship to be anchored in Sydney for 3 years (I am told) was necessary.  Saturday’s breeze was a shifty SE of around 10 -12 knots, and with a false start when the first race was stopped due to a major shift, Kaotic got off to a good start with the first win of the day followed by a 3^rd and 5^th. Due to the difficulty of the course area the start was shifted around Bradley’s Head with the top mark up towards Rose Bay. Conditions were still shifty and banging the corners seemed to work the best, there were many bangs and bumps at the top mark in each race in some very hard fought racing.

The hard work from Terry Wise (NSW Pres) and RANSA showed again with a fabulous Saturday evening function, a spit roast and many frivolous and hilarious prizes handed out made for a great evening.

Sundays racing was held in 40deg heat and gusty northerly winds, a start line set in Double bay and some short courses gave a hot summer feeling to the racing. Doug McGain produced an almost clean sweep with a 1,1,2 for the day. Kaotic was unlucky to lose a first place when the last race was abandoned, unfortunately this was to cost them the title.

Congratulations to our winner Doug McGain, thanks to Terry Wise for all the regatta organization, thanks to RANSA and the race management team. The efforts of these people and the great turn out from the NSW fleet and the visitors made this tough regatta a resounding success and a good work up for the Nationals to be held in Melbourne in the first week of January.