Once again Anderson’s Inlet lived up to its name as being very challenging for all levels of yachting skills. Over the Labour Day Weekend, the South Gippsland Yacht Club [SGYC] ran the Inverloch and District Community Bank Series at the same time as the Derek Junior Encouragement Awards.
The weekend started on Saturday 7th March where the winds were very unpredictable and at times very strong. As the day worn on, the wind strength increased significantly. In the first race 3 Division A yachts entered with 5 B Division Yachts and 4 Juniors sailing a Laser 4.7, a Sabre and 2 Minnows. All the sailors handled to conditions initially however the heavier winds meant that, in the second race was 2 A Division yachts and 1 B Division Yacht.
Many were hoping for a better day on Sunday. And Sunday turned out to be a yachtman’s paradise.
The weather improved significantly and many more yachts were entered, however, with the tricky tidal currents many yachts did not leave the beach.
Sunday brought much finer weather but very variable light winds. This meant race 3 was a quiet affair with around 12 Yachts leaving the beach. As such, Race 3 was a sedate affair with Race 4 becoming very lively with stronger Westerly winds.
Monday was a different day altogether with steady Westerly winds climbing in strength as the day progressed with Races 5 and 6 enjoyed by the 20 yachts entered.
Each day the Race Officer planned challenging courses each day.
Consequently competition amongst yachtsmen of all ages, male and female, was very willing with close tussles all over the weekend.
The overall results for this weekend series was as follows:
A Division:
First place- Wayne Smith {Windrush Catamaran}
Second place- Rob McNair [Windrush Catamaran]
Third place- Shaun Freeman [Windrush Catamaran]
B Division:
First place- George Fairlie [Laser]
Second place- John Honeybone [Sabre]
Equal Third place- John Fowler [Laser] and Ivan Abbott [Impulse]
C Division:
First Place- Aaron Lopez-Freeman [Minnow]
Equal Second place- Abbey Argus-Smith [Minnow] and Oscar Llewellyn [Sabre]