Sailing - Young Magic

As recently reported in the Mercury by Lizzie Rountree on 24 March, Paul and Michelle Boutchard recently completed a successful summer sailing season in their 36-foot Murray Burns Dovell designed yacht, Young Magic, racing in division one; it is one of the smaller yachts in this fleet.

Paul is an old boy of the College (SVC 1967-75), taught at the College (1983-1985, 1987-1989, 1991) and has served on the OVA committee since 2022.

Young Magic sails out of the Derwent Sailing Squadron in a Twilight competition on Thursday evenings during spring and summer, between October and March (20 races in two groups), as well as the Harbour Series across five Saturdays, usually two races each afternoon.

Spinnakers are used for Saturday racing, necessitating having eight crew members on board. Each crew member has a specific role. This format of windward/leeward racing is very demanding. Teamwork plays a big part in results as well as tactical decisions during the day. The strength of the breeze can impact the result, particularly if you end up in a ‘quiet patch’, as well as selecting the correct sail for the conditions. Should gear failure occur, the ability to effect repairs on the fly can determine if you are to remain competitive in a race. On the day of the February race, 20 minutes before the start, a crew member was hoisted to the top of the mast to re-lead a broken halyard. Young Magic eventually won both races that day.

There are three handicap systems used in racing on the Derwent River: PHS (Performance Handicap), ORC (Offshore Racing Congress Rule), and IRC (International Racing Certificate).

Young Magic won the Thursday Twilight ORC division pre- and post-Christmas, as well as taking 2nd overall in the IRC division post-Christmas. 

Racing in the Saturday Harbour series saw Young Magic win PHS on a countback, which was necessary to break a tie, as well as securing second place overall in both ORC and IRC, all within a competitive group of 14 yachts.