The 2021 Women's State Keelboat Championships
at Bathers Beach Fremantle
You would have to think they were out of their minds. But they are doing it.
The Foundo's are going under the bridges. Absolutely awesome. And they will do it all in Bathers Bay, the natural show piece where we had so much fun with the M32's and Perth 2011. I hope to be there and sitting on the rocks with a long lens to capture the fun and games. I just hope that there is a half way decent breeze.
Well, that was interesting.
A quick shift over in front of the Fremantle Sailing Club and I'll bet they lost half their audience in the process. Only those who could work it out and knew that there was a walk around from the dog beach ( South Beach ).
However 7 of the 8 boats in the fleet went out with one of the RP boats pulling out at the last minute. Possibly putting them out on the water yesterday for training in 25 knots might have done it. So seven out of eight isn't bad. The big bad boats were going to be FSC's Nickie Jones and her band of heroines, with the Freshy teams studded with good people as well and Royal Perth and Jenny Richardson doing a wonderful job with her team. SoPYC had Mara back out on the water again and with a couple of girls from yesteryear (Christina and Vicki) filled out with some fresh talent from the training teams.
East Fremantle again had a youth team (125 sailors) and a couple of seasoned heads (Helen Suriano and Sarah Lightfoot)
The day started in the south and a pretty light breeze indeed with the new Mark Bots in play moving around the course and holding position very well. At this stage maybe 10 knots out of the south and they were on Jibs, Full mains and Spinnakers.
It was RFBYC's Lucy Alderson's day and it started well. She has clearly absorbed everything that Dad (Grant) could teach her and added her own touch, but with Adele Jackson on board she couldn't put a foot wrong in the first race. Clear in front by heaps. Well sailed.
The second race was an upset as the course shifted with the breeze clocking around to the right. This time Mara Lowry of SoPYC found the right stuff and she was away with the breeze. Going right and banging a corner she was able to rock down the lay line straight to the top mark while those below her were caught as the breeze knocked and a couple had to turn around and go again at the mark. From then on it was hers to lose and to the team on the boats credit, they held their nerve and lead to the finish.
The third race was going to be a little edgy as we had 15 knots by now almost out of the sou west and the boats were really moving. We were almost looking straight up the course from where we were on the rock wall. This time the FSC and Freshy boats jumped away and it was a battle for them, leaving Royal Perth, SoPYC and East Freo to watch them and wonder. With the breeze hitting 220 on the compass and Fish Rocks registering 20 in the gusts, there was a short break while they reefed the mains and gave the sailors a quick break.
Then away they went again on the 4th race and again Lucy was on the game. Her Grandmother was on the rock wall with us and was thoroughly delighted by her sailing, praising her and telling us how son Grant had Lucy in the family boat at the age of 3. Fremantle did well to put in the next two boats and SoPYC gladly took a fourth.
The fifth race was decided with reefs in the mains and without spinnakers. And I'll bet the foredeck people were happy about that. Lucy did it again giving her four wins and a drop of three. Jenny Richardson put in a good second place for Royal Perth giving her two seconds and eventually third place over all. Nickie Jones of FSC took third and second for the championship. Shelley White of FSC, sailing with a power house of sailors matched Jen Richardson's score but took 4th on a count back. SoPYC took a 5th thanks to that great second race and last years winner Sandy Anderson had to take a sixth with the East Fremantle crew very happy to finish in one piece (As were they all, I would suggest)
Well done FSC. A great day on the water and well organised. Congrats to Swan River Sailing for their effort and I hope that they are able to keep these 20 + year old boats on the go.
Enjoy the photos.
The Foundo's are going under the bridges. Absolutely awesome. And they will do it all in Bathers Bay, the natural show piece where we had so much fun with the M32's and Perth 2011. I hope to be there and sitting on the rocks with a long lens to capture the fun and games. I just hope that there is a half way decent breeze.
Well, that was interesting.
A quick shift over in front of the Fremantle Sailing Club and I'll bet they lost half their audience in the process. Only those who could work it out and knew that there was a walk around from the dog beach ( South Beach ).
However 7 of the 8 boats in the fleet went out with one of the RP boats pulling out at the last minute. Possibly putting them out on the water yesterday for training in 25 knots might have done it. So seven out of eight isn't bad. The big bad boats were going to be FSC's Nickie Jones and her band of heroines, with the Freshy teams studded with good people as well and Royal Perth and Jenny Richardson doing a wonderful job with her team. SoPYC had Mara back out on the water again and with a couple of girls from yesteryear (Christina and Vicki) filled out with some fresh talent from the training teams.
East Fremantle again had a youth team (125 sailors) and a couple of seasoned heads (Helen Suriano and Sarah Lightfoot)
The day started in the south and a pretty light breeze indeed with the new Mark Bots in play moving around the course and holding position very well. At this stage maybe 10 knots out of the south and they were on Jibs, Full mains and Spinnakers.
It was RFBYC's Lucy Alderson's day and it started well. She has clearly absorbed everything that Dad (Grant) could teach her and added her own touch, but with Adele Jackson on board she couldn't put a foot wrong in the first race. Clear in front by heaps. Well sailed.
The second race was an upset as the course shifted with the breeze clocking around to the right. This time Mara Lowry of SoPYC found the right stuff and she was away with the breeze. Going right and banging a corner she was able to rock down the lay line straight to the top mark while those below her were caught as the breeze knocked and a couple had to turn around and go again at the mark. From then on it was hers to lose and to the team on the boats credit, they held their nerve and lead to the finish.
The third race was going to be a little edgy as we had 15 knots by now almost out of the sou west and the boats were really moving. We were almost looking straight up the course from where we were on the rock wall. This time the FSC and Freshy boats jumped away and it was a battle for them, leaving Royal Perth, SoPYC and East Freo to watch them and wonder. With the breeze hitting 220 on the compass and Fish Rocks registering 20 in the gusts, there was a short break while they reefed the mains and gave the sailors a quick break.
Then away they went again on the 4th race and again Lucy was on the game. Her Grandmother was on the rock wall with us and was thoroughly delighted by her sailing, praising her and telling us how son Grant had Lucy in the family boat at the age of 3. Fremantle did well to put in the next two boats and SoPYC gladly took a fourth.
The fifth race was decided with reefs in the mains and without spinnakers. And I'll bet the foredeck people were happy about that. Lucy did it again giving her four wins and a drop of three. Jenny Richardson put in a good second place for Royal Perth giving her two seconds and eventually third place over all. Nickie Jones of FSC took third and second for the championship. Shelley White of FSC, sailing with a power house of sailors matched Jen Richardson's score but took 4th on a count back. SoPYC took a 5th thanks to that great second race and last years winner Sandy Anderson had to take a sixth with the East Fremantle crew very happy to finish in one piece (As were they all, I would suggest)
Well done FSC. A great day on the water and well organised. Congrats to Swan River Sailing for their effort and I hope that they are able to keep these 20 + year old boats on the go.
Enjoy the photos.