Success has continued on the water for the mighty mariners at the Vincentia Sailing Club, with astounding results across the board. Since March, our intrepid sailors have travelled to Batemans Bay, back up to Lake Macquarie and most recently to Moreton Bay in Queensland for an unforgettable weekend in the Sunshine State
Combined High Schools Sailing Championships – Belmont 16s, Lake Macquarie
During the first week of the school holidays, the VSC’s Grommet Squad once again headed north to Lake Macquarie for the annual Combined High Schools Sailing Championships, running out of the ever consistent Belmont 16s Sailing Club.
Seven individuals, the Coach and their Major Sponsors represented the VSC and their schools within the Shoalhaven. Bryn Robinson-Mills from St John the Evangelist Catholic High School, Nowra, teamed up with Bridget Raftery of Vincentia High School, sailing on the Hobie 16 in their first event as a team. Jimmy Winchester of St John’s & Brody Watt of Vincentia High were on the Hobie 16 once again, backing up a solid performance at the Victorian States. Additionally, Zoe Ellis & Jillian Raftery, both from Vincentia High, were racing on the Coach’s Hobie 16 Munyunga for the first time, making the huge leap from the Hobie 14-Turbo. Finally, Vincentia High’s Charlotte Ellis was on the helm for the very first time, teaming up with Palm Beach local, Meagan Fisher.
The four days of sailing a variety of conditions. Day one was lighter than expected, allowing all our teams to gain a good understanding of the complex race course the CHS is so well known for. As a cool, southwesterly change blew through on the second day, our teams were faced with tougher conditions; however, nothing they haven’t seen before. The third day saw similar conditions to the previous day, with a patchy 12-14 knot southwesterly blowing across the lake. Finally, the last day of racing saw a the longest day on the water, with the seventh race of the series meeting a strong squall after the first start. With the race abandoned, the race committee snuck in two more heats in a consistent southerly breeze.
Bryn & Bridget took home the Hobie Class trophy as the highest scored Hobie Cat. Jimmy & Brody snuck in behind them, as Charlotte & Meagan on the 14-Turbo beat Zoe & Jill on yardstick. Charlotte & Meagan took home the trophy for CHS Division Three winner, being the top placed catamaran from a public high school.
Check out all the adventures the VSC Grom Squad experience HERE.
Mariners Regatta – Batemans Bay Sailing Club
Over the ANZAC Long-Weekend, some of VSC’s most reliable and faithful headed down the coast for another weekend on Batemans Bay. Leading the charge was Dobbo, who believe has not missed a Mariner Regatta since the Autumn of 92 (please enquire via our contact page for further information). Tagging along for the ride, Adrian Mills, Glen Gilbert, Brian Bates, Craig Hatton and Andrew McKenzie were all determined to add another notch in their belt. Additionally, Clare Eastment & Helen Mills were representing the VSC as the sole Hobie 16 in the mixed-multihull class.
Four races were held across the weekend, with Andrew McKenzie claiming two heats on Saturday, whilst Brian Bates and Adrian Mills both took out a race on Sunday. Finishing the regatta in first, the Big-Mac finished three points ahead of Brian, who managed to sneak in front of Hatto by a single point. Adrian finished the day a point ahead of Dobbo, whilst Gilby rounded the up the pack in sixth. Finally, Clare & Helen finished the weekend in first place for the open catamaran fleet, taking home the iconic pair of wine glasses for the first time.
Queensland Hobie Cat State Championships – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, Moreton Bay
At the end of April, leading into May, the racing keen mariners from the VSC headed north to the Sunshine State for the Queensland State Championships, taking place at the glamorous Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron.
Four Hobie 14 helms made their way north for the weekend. Andrew Spinelli, racing in his first Queensland Championships, finished ninth overall. Jame Rhodes, racing on Paddy’s La Cheeki, sailed consistently over the weekend finishing fifth overall. Gavin Luxton was on fire, starting the series with a bullet in the first heat, leading to a third place overall. Finally, Mick Butler, without the competition of Bryn and Paddy, finished in first place against fellow New South Welshmen, Rod Waterhouse.
In the Hobie 16s, four New South Wales teams competed on Moreton Bay. Paddy Butler, racing with Brisbane local Hannah Bates, finished seventh overall with a mixed bag of results. Bryn & Bridget, coming off a stellar performance on Lake Macquarie, cracked the top-10 in the open fleet, whilst taking out a hotly contested Youth Hobie 16 fleet. Jimmy Winchester was on the scene with Western Australian Lachy Owen, racing in the Youth & Open fleet. Swapping roles throughout the weekend, the boys finished eighteenth overall and fourth in the Youth fleet. Finally, Lake Macquarie local and close friend of the VSC, Ellie Knorre raced with Queenslander Zoe Cairns, finishing nineteenth overall, sixth in the Youth fleet, and second in the Women’s division.
Check out their adventures HERE.
Bad News Memorial Regatta – Gold Coast Catamaran Club
What could be considered the greatest winter regatta on the sailing calendar, the Gold Coast Catamaran Club’s ‘Bad News Memorial Regatta’ has been a favourite for many members of the VSC. This year only three solo sailors headed north, with Mick, Gav & Paddy’s all on Hobie 14s for the two days of racing out of Currumbin Alley.
Five races were held in very light conditions, with Mick cleaning up the weekend with five bullets. Paddy sailed consistently, finishing second in all the races bar the last heat. Finally, Gav placed fourth overall to fellow New South Welshmen, Rod Waterhouse.
With accommodation already booked for next year’s event, we encourage all members who have an off the beach catamaran to consider this iconic regatta in the new year.
Hobie 14 World Championships – Cessenatico, Italy
It’s with very exciting news that we announce Mick & Paddy Butler will be representing the VSC and Australian Hobie Sailing Team at the Hobie 14 World Championships in Cessenatico, on the east coast of Italy. The Butler Boys will be heading over to Italy in July to compete at the event alongside Palm Beach sailor Rod Waterhouse.
By now you’ve all heard the news on how The Butler Boys went. Check out Paddy’s full write up HERE.
