2024/25 Sabre Nationals in Perth.
A fleet of 43 Sabres from most Australian States gathered at Perth Dinghy Sailing Club (PDSC) at Matilda Bay on the Swan River to contest the 46th Sabre National Championships, sponsored by SQP Engineering. This championship was held over nine races, allowing two drops. It was a delightful venue, with good winds, smoothly run racing, great hospitality and fellowship.
Our sincere thanks go to the many volunteers who made the event possible and such a success. In particular, we thank the Jones family, Brian, Jenny and Chelsea who have been stalwarts for our class and indeed for the PDSC for many years. Brian, Jenny & Chelsea have announced they will retire as WA Sabre President, WA Sabre Secretary and WA Sabre Committee/Marketing this year as Chelsea steps up in her role at PDSC as Commodore.
Many interstate skippers arrived early to sample the conditions, some driving over and the eight Victorians who competed opting to send their boats by container. Apart from the invitation race which finished in a drift, Perth lived up to its breezy reputation with strong seabreeze winds 15-25 kts, making for exhilarating sailing. Perth sailors showed their class in the conditions with very few mishaps occurring and close racing. Differences in sailing rule interpretation was generally sorted out in a friendly manner in the bar afterwards.
Surprisingly the Sabres were well behaved on the start line with the black flag not making an appearance apart from hanging over Race Officer Larry Smith shoulder as he walked across the back of the start boat, when in one heat the Sabres started to get feisty on the line. In the end it was never flown and we only had a few races starting under a U Flag.
The series was convincingly won by Hamish Cowell from Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron in Victoria with an almost perfect total of eight points from six firsts and one second. Runner up was previous multiple Nationals winner, Alan Riley on 16 followed by Murray O’Brien on 28 and Gary McLennan on 30 points. The first four placings all hail from Victoria. Fourth place was certainly well fought out with the next two, Tony Carr and Craig Hughes both from PDSC also on the magic 30 points, coming fifth and sixth on countback. The top female placing went to Elisabeth Roberts who was also 10th overall. Overall placings can be seen here and divisional prize winners here. The many divisions by age, crew weight and gender is a positive reflection of our recognition and support for all competitors, not just the top of the fleet. Prizes were awarded by Brian Jones with great gusto and humour.
Apart from the boat itself, which is lightweight, relatively inexpensive and a delight to sail, the Sabre sailor culture attracts good size fleets of sailors from a wide range of age and experiences. It was certainly great to see how the Perth Sabre fleet and the club has grown since the WA Sabre fleet inception in 2009 and the evident enthusiasm of local sailors.
Next year it will be the turn of Queensland to host the Nationals which will be held at Lake Cootharaba, 5- 10 January 2026. Interesting that the first Sabre nationals were held at this venue, 47 years ago. It will be another great event and we encourage all Sabre sailors to be there.
Bruce Abbott & Chelsea Baker
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