9:07 PM Mon 30 Nov 2009 GMT
Victorian State titles for the Fireball and OK classes were decided during the recent Ronstan sponsored OTB regatta at Royal Geelong Y.C. on Corio Bay.
One hundred and three boats entered the event, sailed in three divisions. Despite the damp, light conditions five races were completed. Light conditions on Saturday left competitors nervously anticipating the forecast of 30 knots for Sunday. In the end this did not eventuate with a torrential downpour shortly before launching giving way to light winds and a flat calm by the end of the third race.
Division 1 comprised I14 and Fireball fleets as the largest numbers. The light conditions did not allow the pair of moths in this division to show their true potential so it was left to the 14's to lead the way, followed by Fireballs and a JB 5/50. Sunday saw the 14's depart leaving the fireball fleet to clear the top 6 places in the division. The Fireball fleet was dominated by Heather MacFarlane and Chris Payne in Rock Stars, taking four firsts and discarding a second place to take the Victorian Title.
Division two comprised Tasar and OK fleets with other competition provided by Contenders, Lasers, 420's and a solitary Finn. Tasars and OK's shared the first 8 places in this division with 7.5 points separating the first 6 places. Paddy Oliver and Diane Nelson led by two points at the end of the event to claim victory in their Tasar (Orange Lodge) over fellow Tasar sailors Derick and Gwen Warne in Okidoki. Winner of the OK class and the Victorian state title was Michael Williams in Time Machine who placed third overall in Division 2.
The cadet class produced the largest fleet with 38 boats entering for the regatta. As always in this fleet the competition was close with 1 point separating first and second with third place a further two points back. Isabella Say and Benjamin Brill in Insayne (Sandringham Y.C.) triumphed after the discard to win by one point from Nikola Dixon and Nicola Armstrong in Tempest (Royal Geelong Y.C.). Australian cadet worlds team members Ian Lee and Alex Brzoska in Snakebite (Royal Geelong Y.C.) finished third.
Full results are available at:
www.rgyc.com.au/results/2009_OTB_Regatta/otbregatta/series.htm
In only the second year in it's current format the Royal Geelong Y.C. OTB regatta is rapidly increasing in popularity with a 45% increase in numbers from the 2008 event. The format of short, multi-class races is proving popular with participants, with on-water lunch provided between races on Sunday giving more time for races. Participation of RONSTAN as a sponsor this year was also greatly appreciated by the participants.
The next event for OTB boats at Royal Geelong is the Masters Regatta 21-25 February 2010. A follow-on from the much enjoyed regatta held as part of the Australian Masters Games in February 2009. Further information on this event can be found at:
www.rgyc.com.au/page.asp?ID=389&;cat=28
by Andrew Butler
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Sydney, NSW
Kitesurfing - Twintips
Foiling - Wind Wings
