In very light conditions at Midway Point Yacht Club in Tasmania's south, the Tasmanian Flying 11 2009/2010 Championships ended in a nail biter, where 3 boats were separated by 1 point in the finish.  1307 Beyond The Edge skippered by Clare Cromarty and Natalie Maslin were clear leaders with 6 points after the first round held at Tamar Yacht Club in December.  The light conditions suited 1280 Gatecrasher (Briony Van Galen and Hamish Denholm) and 1258 Flying Colours (Michael Meyer, and Jack Melton) better, which bought the field closer together.

The first race on Saturday worked well for 1307 Beyond The Edge who selected the wind spots better and got around the top mark before the wind dropped out for the rest of the fleet.  The races in the afternoon were more competitive with 1252 Hard Drive (Chris Maslin and Jack Waldron) and 1082 Pink Panther (Lauren Bird and Kaitlyn ) coming up into the field.  1280 Gatecrasher won Race 6 with 1258 Flying Colours second and 1252 Hard Drive third. 

1258 Flying Colours registered their first win in Race 7 of the Championship by over taking 1280 Gatecrasher on the down wind leg.

There was no racing on Sunday morning so we spent time chilling out and compiling a strategic plan for the Tasmanian F11 Association.  Race 8 started finally at 3-00 with 1258 Flying Colours again
coming out on top.  Even though there were only 5 boats in the fleet, parents and competitors alike were on the edge of their seats (one parent could not stand to watch out on the water) as only
two points separated three boats on top of the leader board.  A second placing by 1307 Beyond The Edge was enough for Clare and Natalie to edge out 1280 Gatecrasher to win the Championship on a count back.  1258 Flying Colours again proved themselves in the light conditions by winning Race 9 with 1252 Hard Drive a close forth.

1280 Gatecrasher won on Handicap closely followed by 1258 Flying Colours.

Thanks must go the Midway Point Yacht Club for great regatta and their generous hospitality.

Full race details are at www.yachting.org.au/site/yachting/results/tyc/2009/events/f11tasstate/series.htm


Bernd Meyer

Tas F11s