Sail Fremantle 2014
Day one started with a good breeze out of the west and one of the lumpy sorts of seas that made every moment on the water hell for those with uneasy tummies. No matter it wasn't raining and the fun and games commenced on Alpha Course with the Opti's , Open Bic's Minnows and the 3 Flying Ants that were present. A strong Opti fleet needed to be dragged into line by the jury boat and the kids were a little tardy in getting off the start line until it was their turn. Mind you it wasn't only the Opti's.... everyone was doing it. So the RO got things under way swiftly and the fleets were rolling off the start line very well.
One of the Flying Ants had an asymmetric up and was sailing well with it. Looked good too. Caught up with Master Will Oldham an Optimist sailor I met with a few months previously on his first regatta. Sails like a champion and was working the line very well and he's still in silver fleet. I guess he has to turn eight yet (sorry Will). There were a few notables , but it's too early to make comments yet.
Bravo Course was loaded with talent in the Laser group with Ben, Mark, Matt, Bruce and Luke. Luke Elliott is just back from Europe and sailing at the top of his form, pushing team mates hard. Pity he had to go off to Sydney. Go Luke! The radials were a tough crowd to sail with Tristan at the top of the pile and the Rat Pack beavering on underneath. There was no way known Tristan would let those guys get over him this tourney.
One of the Flying Ants had an asymmetric up and was sailing well with it. Looked good too. Caught up with Master Will Oldham an Optimist sailor I met with a few months previously on his first regatta. Sails like a champion and was working the line very well and he's still in silver fleet. I guess he has to turn eight yet (sorry Will). There were a few notables , but it's too early to make comments yet.
Bravo Course was loaded with talent in the Laser group with Ben, Mark, Matt, Bruce and Luke. Luke Elliott is just back from Europe and sailing at the top of his form, pushing team mates hard. Pity he had to go off to Sydney. Go Luke! The radials were a tough crowd to sail with Tristan at the top of the pile and the Rat Pack beavering on underneath. There was no way known Tristan would let those guys get over him this tourney.
Day Two Sail Freo 2014
Enjoy the images and this is only half of them.
Part two of day two
Presentations
Many thanks to Fremantle Sailing Club for the invitation to photograph the event. Well done the volunteers for coping with everything that a spring regatta can offer including lumpy seas and squalls. Personal thanks to the Charlwoods who seem to carry these events on their backs, but I cannot forget the work done by Lucy, Jayllee and Tristan who had the regatta rolling along with few hassles. ( Tristan even got time out to sail ) To Sean, many thanks and to Trevor Milne who got Charlie course and the thrills and spills of the 9ers, well done.
My personal observations on the weekend. The courage of the "masters" Laser sailor (last home on Saturday) who never said stop. Blown off his Laser ( well fell off actually) he must have been tired. But when offered a tow, he simply shook his head and sailed in. And on the Sunday, the Sabre sailor --- the last on the course -- with the mark laying boats picking up the marks behind him, just kept on going till he hit the line. It's that sort of perseverance that marks a sailor. Yep it hurts, yep I'm last. But bugger it I'll finish this course if they have to queue up behind me to clear the pin mark. And yes you were the last photo I took on the course, despite the admonitions of the crew who wanted to go home. Keep on sailing!
Many thanks to the sailors who sailed over the event. 200+ of you.
My personal observations on the weekend. The courage of the "masters" Laser sailor (last home on Saturday) who never said stop. Blown off his Laser ( well fell off actually) he must have been tired. But when offered a tow, he simply shook his head and sailed in. And on the Sunday, the Sabre sailor --- the last on the course -- with the mark laying boats picking up the marks behind him, just kept on going till he hit the line. It's that sort of perseverance that marks a sailor. Yep it hurts, yep I'm last. But bugger it I'll finish this course if they have to queue up behind me to clear the pin mark. And yes you were the last photo I took on the course, despite the admonitions of the crew who wanted to go home. Keep on sailing!
Many thanks to the sailors who sailed over the event. 200+ of you.