Victorian S80 class champion Luke Reinehr is already looking hard to beat yet again in the 2106 championships being conducted on Corio Bay by Royal Geelong Yacht Club.
Reinehr today steered Intrusion to first place in the opening two races of the regatta and with mixed placings already has a five point margin.
The Sandringham Yacht Club member has 2 points on the board with the next boats Skipjack (Bill Feore) and Imaginer (Chris Byrne) both on 7 points from placings of a fifth and a second. Skipjack represents Hobsons Bay Yacht Club, Imaginer is from Sandringham Yacht Club.
In fourth place overall is Tim Campbell’s Recycled Reputation from HBSC on 10 points (6-4) while Merak (Bas Huibers) from the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, has 11 points (8-3).
Today’s races comprised a short windward/leeward course followed by a long race around fixed marks in Corio Bay.
The Victorian champion has attracted an excellent fleet of 17 boats representing Sandringham Yacht Club, Hobsons Bay Yacht Club, the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron and Royal Geelong Yacht Club.
Aside from Etchells, the S80 is the biggest one-design keelboat class sailed on Port Phillip and although Luke Reinehr has won nine successive State championships, the competition is very close.
Reinehr, a longtime supporter of the West Australian keelboat, says the S80 is a perfect small boat for the Bay, being fast and light and a great boat downhill in a breeze.
– Peter Campbell
