This event is one of the most interesting sailing days in the SGYC Programme each year and this year was no exception. On the 17th January, we had planned a real community event with on-water involvement from the Inverloch Windsurfing Association (IWA) and the Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club (ISLC). On the day, members from SGYC sailed various categories of yachts and IWA members sailed various types of windsurfing boards including a tandem board. Eleven members from the ISLC provided on-water support and participation as well as First Aid facilities for which SGYC members were extremely grateful. There was a frustrating start to the day due to a lack of wind to compete with the outgoing tide. Racing Rules allow the race to be postponed and today was the right time to make that decision by the Race Officer. It was the right decision to have a delicious lunch and then hope the wind would pick up. Well the wind gods did the right thing and eventually provided us with lovely southerly winds which suited both the yachting and windsurfing fraternity. This wind enabled frustrations to be cleared and the event started at around 12 noon. All yachts and windsurfers got away nicely with the picking up as the afternoon progressed. Every year this is a long race. After about 2 hours the first yachts were home with Pete Kiely being the overall winner in a Windrush Catamaran with Rob McNair second, Shaun Freeman third both in Windrush Catamarans with Toby Leppin fourth. In the IWA Category, Rob Kenyon was first, Mick Green second and Andrew Daff/Craig Hollins on the tandem board third. Many thanks go to all people and organisations involved including the sponsor of the race Broadbeach Inverloch Health Club as well as the ISLC, IWA and SGYC members.
Over the Australia Day weekend, SGYC is looking forward to the Inverloch Classic Wooden Dinghy Regatta held over the four day weekend. Watch out for the many events throughout the weekend.