The Victor Harbor Yacht Club (VHYC) fleet was short of a few regular sailors on Saturday March 12, as the annual Goolwa to Milang Lake Alexandrina Classic race also took place on the same day, starting at the Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club and ending at the Milang Regatta Club.
Mick McGuire on his AClass “The Fat Controller”, and Rob Martin and Colin Grundy on their Nacra 5.8 “Waitpinga” represented the VHYC, as well as Jody Martin who crewed for Meningie’s Tim Wright on his Taipan 5.7 “Two Dogs”.
Despite the low light conditions, they all performed well in Division 3, with Jody Martin and Tim Wright in fourth, Mick McGuire in fifth and Rob Martin and Colin Grundy in seventh.
Back at the VHYC, the weather was absolutely perfect to start. The club had 14 boats on the water for two races.
The big cats saw Steve Adams and Trinity Woodley on the “Cutting Edge” Stingray finish third in the first race; Brett Pearsons on his Arrow “Sonic” came in second; narrowly beaten by Mike Ward on his Arrow who won. Bodhi Porteous (15) also sailed on a borrowed Arrow and had a bit of fun (and capsized) trying out the new boat.
In the second race, the wind unexpectedly dropped almost completely as the first boats crossed the finish line, the result of first over the line for once. The Stingrays beat the Arrows this time around, with Vice Commodore Craig and Leanne Pearsons on “Pure N Cynical” coming in first; closely followed by Steve Adams and Trinity Woodley on “Cutting Edge” in second place; and Brett Pearsons on “Sonic” in third. The rest of the catamarans abandoned the race, because to cover the rest of the course would have taken far too long, or even possible with the lack of wind.
Division 2 had two races: Zane Porteous (14) on his AC “Confusion” did exceptionally well, winning the first race; followed by Sam and Leo Gager on their Windrush in second place; and John Bracken on his Saber “Wild Flower” in third place.
Race two only had two finishers, again due to the wind dying just before the end. Charlie Coombs on his AC “GIRT” came in first; and the Windrush “Mocha Cod” skippered by Grace Rogers (13) with her father Steve Rogers as crew came in second place.
The club had a great day of racing, before handing over the club rooms to a birthday party group, who had a great night, with amazing food prepared by H Kouzina Mas (formerly Taste of Greece).
For more information on hiring the VHYC for an overnight event or on a regular basis, see the club website vhyc.com.au or call 08 8552 4837. They have fully equipped kitchens and well-located club rooms. Or just come and sail!
