Another beautiful day in Goolwa on Monday greeted entrants in the 2019 Finniss River Vineyard/Coorong Quays Hindmarsh Island Goolwa Regatta Week Radio Controlled Yacht Regatta.
With the start scheduled for 1400 hours, the car park and lawned area adjacent the ramp was filled with radio controlled yachts and their skippers as they rigged, tuned and prepared for the afternoon’s races.
Nine yachts entered the regatta with the International One Metre (IOM) yacht being the predominant class.
With about 15 knots from the south/south-west, and a beautiful sunny 25 degrees, conditions were perfect for racers and spectators alike and many people came down to watch the regatta.
Handicap starts were controlled by a computer program, using a count-up system for the start that was broadcast via a small speaker, clear and easy for all to hear, including spectators.
The start/finish line was between two marina posts and the course set started with tight reach to a buoy set near Galpin Reserve followed by a beat to a buoy on the eastern side of the ‘pond’ where boats tacked and headed downwind to the leeward buoys near the main marina walkway, before the final short leg to the finish line.
The additional clearance leeward buoy prevented interference between the yachts reaching to the leeward end and the ones beating to the finish.
The Racing Rules of Sailing apply to radio controlled yachts and the competitive spirit and friendly rivalry of all sailors was evident on the day with quite a few calls of starboard as boats worked hard to gain an advantage.
The presentation in the GRYC club rooms completed a great day and prizes were presented by immediate Past Commodore Lyn Roberts.
The Club provided tasty light refreshments while skippers talked over the races.
Results:
International One Metre
1st: Peter Mitchell
2nd: Denis Henderson
3rd: Ken Durward
Open Division
1st: Jeff Watson
Louise Edwards
