It was an amazing sight on the Nornalup Inlet – more than 130 sails graced this year’s Walpole in the Trees Regatta. Ten racing divisions including Windrush’s, Mirrors, Sabres, Lasers, Tasars, National 125s, Hobies, Cherubs, Moths, 420s, trailer sailors and many more battled for line honours over the two day racing event.
Excellent sailing conditions over the weekend challenged all competitors. Moderate south easterly winds (12km/hr) on Saturday shifted to moderate to strong often gusty easterly winds (27-28km/hr) on Sunday with swells 1-1.3m at the start line. There were conditions to suit every type of sail, with some skilful performances and strategic manoeuvres producing some exciting races.
On Day 1, unseasonal overcast cool conditions did not dampen competitor’s enthusiasm completing two scheduled races in the afternoon. With much cheerful banter and smiles, everyone gathered in the evening at the Walpole Yacht Club to enjoy the inlet view, share stories and review the day’s results. Over the course of Day 2, racing participants competed in four races and as conditions became more challenging some boats retired early. Sails lining up at the start for each division was an awesome sight, and then following their progress throughout the race brought many spectators to watch from various vantage points. The Regatta Prize Presentation Ceremony at the Walpole Recreation Centre was once again hugely popular.
Overall, the professional organisation of the Regatta sailing programme was exemplary in coordinating a large number of vessels around the course, providing support, services and celebration dinner – a tribute to all involved. A great sense of sailing camaraderie and goodwill was felt by all. The event would not be possible without community assistance and competitor support, people travelling great distances to make the Walpole Regatta the biggest regional sailing event in WA.
Congratulations to all race competitors and the overall results were:
Division 1 Moths Championship
1 st Place: Swaffle (Lloyd Edmunds) 2 nd Place: Juicy (Nick Deussen) 3 rd Place: Fever Pitch (Alan Punch)
Division 2 Mixed Cats Championship
1 st Place: Chardonnay (Roger Thurecht) 2 nd Place: Ramshackle (Justin Bellanger) 3 rd Place: Buzz Box (Mal Buzza)
Division 3 Trailer Sailors Consistency
1 st Place: Wind Seaka (Bill Bigs/Val Biggs) 2 nd Place: Fig Jam (Ian Ladyman/Greg Grist/Herman Gerritsen) 3 rd Place: Little Dove (Frank Cooper/Alan Barrington)
Division 4 Sharpies, 470 and Cherub Dinghies Consistency
1 st Place: Vanquish (Peter Ivanac/Rhyss Edwards) 2 nd Place: Serenity Now (Virginia Horn/Jacques Audet) 3 rd Place: Pandemonium (Brad Luketina/Andrew Briggs)
Division 5 Tasars Championship
1 st Place: Escape Boat (Scott Olsen/Julie Olsen) 2 nd Place: Product of Australia (Kayne Binks/Louise Binks) 3 rd Place: Under Pressure (Ken Waller/CJ Waller)
Division 6 National 125 Championships
1 st Place: One Too Many (Andrew Tailor/Chloe Back) 2 nd Place: Green Out (Chet Stewart/Rhys Nevin) 3 rd Place: Shake n Bake (Merrick Coxall/Alexander Thomson)
Division 7 Laser and 420 Championship
1 st Place: Taddie (Robert Cronin) 2 nd Place: Up (Max Tate) 3 rd Place: Viking (William Roocke/Toby Boaden)
Division 8 Sabres Championship
1 st Place: Northerly (Ed Bannerman) 2 nd Place: Bacl om Black (Pete Coop) 3 rd Place: Where’s My Cow (Craig Nylund)
Division 9 Mirrors Championship
1 st Place: Transom Note (Peter Dean/Rohan Dean) 2 nd Place: She Wookie (David Fishwick/Courtney Fishwick) 3 rd Place: The Kraken (Paul Tysoe/Abby Tysoe/Black Tysoe)
Division 10 Optimist and Manly Junior Consistency
1 st Place: Lukey (Luke Harvey) 2 nd Place: Optimus Prime (Toby Ryan) 3 rd Place: Get Lost (Douglas Cameron)
Full race results will be available at the Walpole Yacht Club website www.walpoleyachtclub.com.au.
