Sailing News

Shagabull Trio Triumphs

Div1 skipper of Shagabull, Harold Keay was one of only four who ignored the 30 knot wind warning to venture out to compete against Marco Giuntoli and Craig Anderson in Scappata in a King George Sound event and what an enthralling encounter this turned out to be!

As they headed across the harbour for the sound, Keay hoisted a spinnaker and quickly drew away from Giuntoli. Unfortunately, and far too often, a strong gust caused a nasty gybe on Shagabull and with only three on board valuable time was lost in retrieving the wayward sail that was dragging behind them.

Scappata hoisted a small spinnaker to take the lead but only narrowly. After several legs in the sound, the two Bull-designed yachts were still evenly matched, with Scappata just ahead as they entered the harbour. Keay tried valiantly to bridge the gap but a tired crew saw Scappata cross the line a minute in front. However, Shagabull won the day on corrected time in a wonderful display from both skippers and crews.

Two Div2 yachts opted for a flying start harbour course race which began with a westerly whipping up the harbour with 25 knots of breeze. Stephen Lee in Flasheart was pitted against Peter Bane in Dunluce and both yachts had reefs in the main and small headsails. After a promising start, Bane couldn’t stay with Lee, who scooted away under spinnaker. Bane, with a fairly novice crew, decided discretion was better than valour as he had already lost a mast early in the season and opted not to use a spinnaker. Lee sailed a powerful race to win easily but Bane and his crew were happy to complete the course without mishap.

Picture: Harold Keay on the right with his skeleton crew on the winning yacht, Shagabull.

Race Day photos

To see more of Des' photos, including some contributions by others, see the links below.

Maxi to Mini

Albany yachtsman Mark McRae will compete in this year's 75th Sydney to Hobart.

In 2009, McRae skippered a European-owned 27m Maxi considered by many as favourite to win, however keel problems in Auckland prevented him from contesting the race. Last year, he was to skipper a Polish-owned Maxi. However, as fate would have it, she suffered significant damage on her voyage from the UK to Albany and had to retreat to Capetown.

This year he will navigate aboard 11 metre yacht Spirit of Freya. McRae has sailed for many years, navigated the ice of Antarctica, Cape Horn and every ocean on the planet, amassing thousands of nautical miles. He is no novice when it comes to sailing and considers the Sydney Hobart race "just another job". McRae will be joined by two other Albany yachties, Steve Lee and Corrina Ridgway. They will sail along with Esperance yacht Anger Management, which McRae delivered to Sydney from Esperance several weeks ago.

McRae said, “Without question it’ll be tough going, however, we are very confident of putting on a serious challenge in our class”.

PRSC wishes McRae all the best on his journey.

Walpole in the Trees Regatta 2020

The Walpole Yacht Club is again looking forward to hosting the Walpole in the Trees Regatta on the Labour Day long weekend, Saturday 29 February and Sunday 1 March, 2020.

The Regatta programme includes five races over two days and is open to the following:

All off-the-beach dinghies, Trailer Sailers (JAM only) and Catamarans
Any shallow draft keelboats, eg: Red Witch, Flying Fifteen
Any veteran off the beach yachts

The regatta is a safe, family-focused event to be enjoyed by all, and an ideal way to experience the beauty of the Walpole and Nornalup Inlet Marine Park.

The Notice of Race is available here and nominations open 1 January 2020 via www.walpoleyachtclub.com.au.

Casual Adventurer blog

Club member Richard Hodgson's team claimed a third on handicap for their participation in the World Cruising Club's ARC+ rally, which took sailors across the Atlantic from Gran Canaria to the Caribbean via the Cape Verde archipelago.

To read more, request membership of Richard's closed Facebook group where he blogs about the rally, here.