On a fine Friday in Sydney Harbour, 16 Bavaria Yachts jockeyed for position at the start of the annual Bavaria Yachts Sydney Harbour Regatta. The day dawned sunny and with light, cool easterly breezes, a relief following the three preceding days of weather mayhem!
With boats ranging from 31’ to 49’, the fleet sailed fixed courses starting outside the CYCA just off Clarke Island. The beat took the fleet north past the Sow Pigs and as far up as Manly for the big boats. Fluky conditions saw positions change often as the yachts searched for the best wind to gain an edge. Downwind, a port reach past Shark Island, the lighter boats saw the biggest gains with the fleet applying themselves to the task of making the boats lighter as the race progressed.
In the bigger class, the Bavaria 49, skippered by Nev Wittey (and crewed by a choice selection of boating industry reprobates), powered ahead to a convincing win followed by the impressive Bavaria 44 Cruiser owned and skippered by Matt Treglone. Third across the line was Bill Hili’s Bavaria 44 Vision followed by a tense tussle between Rob Pizzie’s new Bavaria 43 Cruiser and Alan Husband’s Bavaria 42 Cruiser. Pizzie’s 43 won third on handicap.
In the smaller class two courses were sailed with a split fleet. In the A fleet, the triumph went to Adrian Van Bellen’s Bavaria 33 – a consistent race and a strong finish. Second went to Terry Clarke’s Bavaria 34. The B fleet sailed a tight race with Richard Hutcheson’s Bavaria 36 winning and Bob Stuart’s Bavaria 39 taking line honours and coming a close second on handicap. Matt Bromhead’s Bavaria 37 secured a well earned third.
The annual Bavaria Yachts Sydney Harbour Regatta is an event to celebrate the Bavaria Lifestyle by bringing owners, families and friends together for a day of fun and camaraderie on the water with some light-hearted racing.
The days racing was followed by an evening of food, drinks and entertainment along with prize giving with a selection of fantastic prizes donated by sponsors and key suppliers, a final and important touch to a great day.
