In this year's Northern regatta season, the brands of Bavaria Yachts and X-Yachts accounted for five series wins, one second and one third. With 28 podium finishes in the Cruising divisions from 17 races over 10 divisions, this is an outstanding result for Bavaria Yachts and X-Yachts.
The fleet of X-Yachts and Bavaria Cruisers made the trip from as far south as Melbourne and Sydney, and with many participants from across Queensland Brisbane to Cairns. All were crewed by groups of club sailors, families and friends out to have the maximum fun possible in their cruising yachts.
A look over the results and the PHS handicaps at the end of the series indicate just how well the cruisers performed with stand-outs like a 42 ft Bavaria, X-43 and 44 Cruisers beating rival 50ft+ yachts easily around the track on scratch in all wind conditions. It is all about good design producing great all rounder's that underscore the Bavaria and X-Yacht range.
No matter if the yacht was private, charter, new or eight-plus years old, they all continued to surprise their opponents. In the words of one first time Bavaria charterer: “It really surprised me just how well the boat sailed compared to what I had chartered previously”. It is no surprise to our owners, and we thank them all for their efforts in ensuring the brands we represent were well placed in the results.
A whale of a time at ‘Hammo'
At Hamilton Island the NSY service team was once again on-hand to lend support to any Bavaria and X-Yachts encountering the rigours of regatta sailing. But they at least were glad to see the light winds meaning little to do after a long day sailing.
Hamilton Island Race Week turned out to be such a good regatta even the whales noticed. We believe the whales were so impressed with the well performing Bavaria Yachts that they felt compelled to jump up and give them a wave, now known as the “Bavaria Whale Wave”. It was a spectacular sight caught from onboard On Location (Bavaria 50) and The Sweet Escape (Bavaria 44 Vision) and it made the Hamilton week even more fun than usual.
Regatta Results
Airlie Beach Race Week:
Cruising Division 1 winner was China Blues an X-442 well raced by Bill McCarthy from Mooloolaba. Cruising Division 2 was taken out by Africa (ask Terry to explain the name ) sailed by a local Terry Archer, an older Bavaria 42 that just keeps on recording wins. Amadeus, Bavaria 36 was 5th. Non Spinnaker Division was taken out by Manly Too a Bavaria 44 skippered by Peter McAdam. Serendipity, Bavaria 36 skippered by Roger Boast took 7th.
With all three cruising divisions won by either an X-Yacht or Bavaria, it was a great regatta for the two brands. Well done and well sailed by all the participants.
Hamilton Island Race Week
Hamilton Island, the Biggest Regatta in the Series, was a trying week dogged by light fluky winds. Ian Box in Toy Box came in mid fleet in IRC division 2 giving a good example of how hard the week was for the heavier Yachts. In the Cruising Divisions the results were again good for our brands.
Cruising Division 1 was won by Firefly, X-43, skippered by Dean Gillies with very consistent performances throughout the series. China Blues was 8th out of the 21 boat fleet.
Cruising Division 2 was a 39 boat fleet and full of action. With such light winds it was anybody's regatta up to the last race. On Location, a chartered Bavaria 50 skippered by Stephen Keal from Tassie, was 3rd while Sweet Escape, a Bavaria 44 Vision skippered by Bill Hili, was 5th. Both had several podium finishes but struggled with the final day in almost zero wind. It was pleasing to see the Bavaria 42 charter yacht of Ray Hudson giving the 50+ footers a run for their money, but an unfortunate altercation with a finish buoy in no wind and a fierce tide damaged his chances.
Amadeus and Manly Too finished well in Division 3 and Non Spinnaker, and Peter McAdam had a couple of podium finishes to add a few trophies to his cabinet.
Magnetic Island Race Week
For those who still had some fuel left in their tanks Magnetic Island Race Week was a great success. This Regatta is gathering strength each year and is a must for those who have the time to stretch a little further north.
Again it was the Cruising divisions that shone for Bavaria.
Cruising Division 1 was taken out by Bob “Robbo” Robertson who sailed his 50ft Bavaria charter yacht On Location to a convincing series win. 2nd place was taken by Instant Karma, Bavaria 38 of Paul Wise.
In the Non Spinnaker division Planet Peugeot a Bavaria 50 skippered by Alison smith and MY Way a Bavaria 34 skippered by Terry Price, both had podium finishes in the series and sailed well.
From the collection of regattas in percentage terms, Bavaria Yachts and X-Yachts accounted for 50% of all divisional results, 16.5% winning and podium finishes ( first second or third ) from only 12% of the total entries of 173 Yachts.
Overall it was a fantastic series of regattas for Bavaria Yachts and X-Yachts, epitomising the spirit of fun with family and friends and proving once again that great designs go well in all conditions. And what better endorsement can you get than a big wave from a whale?
