Australian Masters Games Geelong 2009

[harvey6111]

The Invitation race was held today in light and fluky winds up to 12 knots at times and a hell of a lot less at others. The sabres have 10 boats – the biggest class. Todays race was won by Andy Mac who not only beat all the other sabres but also won on yardstick.
Stephen Early

[harvey6111]

We only got one heat in on Monday with winds between 10 and 30+ knots and a 150 degree wind shift. Andy Mac again cleanead up the sabres but no yardstick results are out as yet. Last night the sabre sailors had a pleasant dinner at a local pub – gainning strength for today which promises to be a 3 heat day.
Stephen Early

[harvey6111]

Yesterday saw another day of strong winds and good sailing. Andy Mac was the first sabre home in each of the three heats in winds from 18 to 30 knots. He still holds 3rd place overall and 1st iun his age group and impressed the two young girl reporters and had a large spread in the local Advertiser. Susannah had a disaster yesterday being T boned while on starboard tack by a contender. Her husband was sailing the contender and I think spent the day trying to patch the boat. Hopefully she will be back tomorrow (today was a layday).

[harvey6111]

The regatta is now over with 2 days and 4 races in light to very light breezes. To say I was not impressed is an understatement. Andy Mac finished 4th overall and 2nd in his age group. Peter Reid was second in his age group and David Wood First and John Dick Second in their age group. A successful regatta in trying conditions and mostly ewither a bit too much wind or hardly any at all. Andy Morrison won a gold in double Kiaking so a good week by all.
Stephen Early

[sabre_admin]

Just to add a bit not included above

all courses are windward and return -seemed strange sailing with no reaching except in race one with a huge wind change and lots of reaching

4 light air and 4 heavy air races- only medium air was the invitation

there were no trophys for classes which seemed to disadvantage sabres especially since we had 10 starters but the organisers were insistant that that the regatta be based on yardstick

the strong winds that blew on tuesday simply blew the other classes away and set the basis for sabres doing well in the regatta- of the three agegroups each with three medals: gold silver and bronze ie 9 medals sabre sailors took home 4- the only class that really seemed to dominate us in all conditions were the tasars

the organization was simply the best i have ever seen anywhere in terms of how well the sailors were looked after- royal geelong made sure on our arrival back to the shore after every race that our trolleys were in the water and that we were given a hand retreiving the boat up the ramp and then were presented with either a vb or soft drink to wash down the salt –

yep a chal;lenging yet rewarding experience was had by all sailing for a week at geelong

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