The 2019 Women's State Keelboat Championships
at Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club
Another superb day to look forward to.
Fremantle is to join the fray as is Royal Perth and I believe that Royal Freshwater Bay yacht club has a strong set of lady sailors, so we expect at least 2 boats if not more. As to the other clubs, its Monday and I'm not aware as yet as to the complete set of nominees. I hope we get the Hillarys and East Fremantle entries as the more the better. South of Perth YC has as yet to announce their entry and I hope that they do so.
The weather looks good and we may have a feisty sou easterly to accompany the day. At least half a dozen boats if not more and its really going to be a day for the heroines. It's possible that I'll be strapped onto an umpires boat again and if that's the case, expect a few close up action shots.
Its Friday and the final list of sailors has come through. Hillarys has popped up as a fourth starting club with Chelsea Bradford on the helm, but the RFBYC teams have fronted up with no less that three entries. Gee that's good. Adele, Sandy and Jenny all know the format and well done to the club to put them on the water. They really support their women sailors. But a pleasant surprise has come through from Fremantle SC with Nia Jerwood picking up the helm. Caz was the go to lady at Fremantle for a long time, but has ( in my opinion ) handed over to a worthy successor. However Nia is know as a 470 sailor, will she translate over to the 36 foot keelboats. Only one way to find out.
No sign of a bite from East Fremantle or South of Perth as yet, so I hope that they will be able to appear later on in the year for the inter clubs on Melville water.
See you at Freshie.
Play time at Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht club.
And the sou easter was there, but in a dozy sort of fashion. RO JT (John Taylor to the un initiated) had a great work team with him and was out on the water very quickly to get the course set up. After a welcome by Andy Fethers CEO of Swan River Sailing we were on the move with my ride on the umpires rib confirmed. We also got a rib with a thumping big motor on it. Richard G was very happy.
Six boats lined up with the start boat down the bottom of the bay and running out past the club and toward the sou east. The chief ump ( Jenn Taylor ) had mentioned that they would be expecting good behaviour on the water and for the main, so it was, as the start line filled with the boats almost sauntering over the line. The battle was to stay in pressure and climbing ladders up the centre was the go, if you went out to bang a corner it proved to be dangerous and the only chances could be taken when a little puff loomed from the right near the club as there was something over there.
Fremantle's Nia Jerwood didn't make it hard for herself and managed to take the first two races with Freshy sharing second place with one to Sandy and the other to Adele. Adele then took the next two races and it became rather interesting when racing was brought to a halt as the seabreeze came in. These two were locked together on equal points and either one would win if they could take the lead over the other. No one else was close and it was a winner take all situation. Surprisingly enough at the back end, the same problem had arisen and three boats shared the same chances. Not quite sure what happened in the 4th race, but with 4 boats on 7 points, it didn't affect the outcome of the race.. as the two contestants who had finished were well in front of the rest.
Well sailed Nia, she picked the wind and sailed with the rising breeze working for her wonderfully. It was a fitting thing to have Caroline Bush on board trimming and keeping the rest of the crew flowing on the boat. Adele has been a strong contender over the last decade and it was a feat of arms to see this young lady get up. Not to bely the competition from Royal Perth who took a good third and the other two Freshy teams showing the clubs strength on the water.
My thanks to RFBYC and the SRS teams who organised and ran the races. Congratulations to all the teams who raced on the day and especially to a young lady who thought she could.
Fremantle is to join the fray as is Royal Perth and I believe that Royal Freshwater Bay yacht club has a strong set of lady sailors, so we expect at least 2 boats if not more. As to the other clubs, its Monday and I'm not aware as yet as to the complete set of nominees. I hope we get the Hillarys and East Fremantle entries as the more the better. South of Perth YC has as yet to announce their entry and I hope that they do so.
The weather looks good and we may have a feisty sou easterly to accompany the day. At least half a dozen boats if not more and its really going to be a day for the heroines. It's possible that I'll be strapped onto an umpires boat again and if that's the case, expect a few close up action shots.
Its Friday and the final list of sailors has come through. Hillarys has popped up as a fourth starting club with Chelsea Bradford on the helm, but the RFBYC teams have fronted up with no less that three entries. Gee that's good. Adele, Sandy and Jenny all know the format and well done to the club to put them on the water. They really support their women sailors. But a pleasant surprise has come through from Fremantle SC with Nia Jerwood picking up the helm. Caz was the go to lady at Fremantle for a long time, but has ( in my opinion ) handed over to a worthy successor. However Nia is know as a 470 sailor, will she translate over to the 36 foot keelboats. Only one way to find out.
No sign of a bite from East Fremantle or South of Perth as yet, so I hope that they will be able to appear later on in the year for the inter clubs on Melville water.
See you at Freshie.
Play time at Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht club.
And the sou easter was there, but in a dozy sort of fashion. RO JT (John Taylor to the un initiated) had a great work team with him and was out on the water very quickly to get the course set up. After a welcome by Andy Fethers CEO of Swan River Sailing we were on the move with my ride on the umpires rib confirmed. We also got a rib with a thumping big motor on it. Richard G was very happy.
Six boats lined up with the start boat down the bottom of the bay and running out past the club and toward the sou east. The chief ump ( Jenn Taylor ) had mentioned that they would be expecting good behaviour on the water and for the main, so it was, as the start line filled with the boats almost sauntering over the line. The battle was to stay in pressure and climbing ladders up the centre was the go, if you went out to bang a corner it proved to be dangerous and the only chances could be taken when a little puff loomed from the right near the club as there was something over there.
Fremantle's Nia Jerwood didn't make it hard for herself and managed to take the first two races with Freshy sharing second place with one to Sandy and the other to Adele. Adele then took the next two races and it became rather interesting when racing was brought to a halt as the seabreeze came in. These two were locked together on equal points and either one would win if they could take the lead over the other. No one else was close and it was a winner take all situation. Surprisingly enough at the back end, the same problem had arisen and three boats shared the same chances. Not quite sure what happened in the 4th race, but with 4 boats on 7 points, it didn't affect the outcome of the race.. as the two contestants who had finished were well in front of the rest.
Well sailed Nia, she picked the wind and sailed with the rising breeze working for her wonderfully. It was a fitting thing to have Caroline Bush on board trimming and keeping the rest of the crew flowing on the boat. Adele has been a strong contender over the last decade and it was a feat of arms to see this young lady get up. Not to bely the competition from Royal Perth who took a good third and the other two Freshy teams showing the clubs strength on the water.
My thanks to RFBYC and the SRS teams who organised and ran the races. Congratulations to all the teams who raced on the day and especially to a young lady who thought she could.