OTB - Vice Commodore’s Titanic Tussle
Vice Commodore’s Titanic Tussle
The new Vice Commodore of the Batemans Bay Sailing Club, Rob Hooke, and Captain Jon Fitzroy fought heroically around Coila Lake last Sunday afternoon on their gallant yacht the “Titanic”. They contested the Sailing Club’s dinghy race series in Jon’s “Titanic”, but the breeze was too light for them to put their combined strength to maximum effect.
“Titanic” will be a threat to the lightweight dinghies when the winter westerlies and cold water remind the vessel of her namesake’s maiden voyage (not that Captain Jon is looking for the same fate).
An outstanding feature of the Sailing Club’s race day was Bodie Larden’s maiden solo voyage on his Maricat Sloop. Bodie helmed the slick catamaran around the race course in the second race, which he completed without misadventure and finished within close range of many more experienced catamaran sailors.
The catamarans’ results were extremely tight, with only seconds separating placegetters after applying handicaps. Top gun Tom Michelsen was hard-pressed by Mick Armstrong on his super fast Nacra 14. Mick is visiting the Eurobodalla and will contest the remainder of the Club’s series until 20 April.
Two new Laser dinghies fought hard on the water in both club races. Ace Rob Way took line honours twice in “Aquarius” (disproving her name), after strong challenges from Peter Schwarz racing his new Laser “Gotaloton”, bought only two days earlier. Lasers are the popular dinghy class on the lake with numbers growing and more in prospect.
Mirror Dinghies were also on Coila Lake, both for the morning’s junior training and also for the afternoon’s racing. The Mirror’s race finish was extremely tight, with Huon and Mallee Smith just defending their previous first places from the Henshaw family’s Mirror Rendova.
The sailing club’s Roger Freney said that the Coila Race series are excellent lead up to the club’s ANZAC weekend regatta, which will be held on 26 and 27 April. That regatta, which attracts up to 100 boats, will be held on Batemans Bay and is open to dinghy and catamaran sailors.
More information about dinghy and catamaran sailing and the ANZAC regatta can be found on the club’s website www.bbsc.org.au or from Roger Freney on 44715726.
