Day 2 of Registration commenced under blue skies. The easterly continues to howl keeping many sailors away from the water with a few venturing for a sail in the 20/25 knot breeze. For many it was the first sail in the boat since packing them into containers months ago.
The Race Committee and the Rescue Teams assembled for pre-regatta briefings with many officials coming from Perth and as far away as Broome. Sadly, one of our Race Committee ended up in Hospital after falling while getting about the Committee Boat. With an ulna broken in three places, we won't see him for official duties and wish him a quick recovery.
The Official Opening to the 45th LandCorp Australian Championships was most enjoyable as the competitors, officials and supporters enjoyed the sundowner. Commodore Paul Terry welcomed the competitors and Event Director Anthony Galante briefed the sailors.
 |
| Bill Jaffray Memorial Winner and Commodore Paul Terry |
Like so many in the Mirror Class, Mark Pitt started out sailing with his children. Nearly 20 years ago he ventured down to Nedlands Yacht Club with his then 8 year old daughter Caroline to try a Mirror. He immediately joined Hillarys yacht Club and started competing in his first Mirror, Darkstar. He sailed with each of his three children over the next 15 years both as skipper and crew. They all sailed to a high level and Caroline was National Ladies Champion on two occasions.
Great reports of this event on Yachts & Yachting website and the International Mirror Class Association of Tasmania websites. There are also lots of photos by Rob Cruse.
The 45th Australian Championships kicked off with the Cliff Scott Memorial Invitational, the traditional warm up of the Mirror fleet. In fresh SSE conditions, the fleet got racing and all the nerves and anxiety are now gone.
The Cliff Scott was a close tussle between the Philippines team of Ridgely Balladares and Rommel Chavez and 2007 Mirror World Champion Ross Kearney and Max Odell from Ireland. They steamed up the first beat with the Philippinos getting a good break of 10 boat lengths that was bridged to a couple by the time the teams reached the bottom gate on the trapezoid course. The gap to the following pack was quiet substantial and the two front runners were never headed. Balladares and Chavez took the bullet followed by Kearney and Odell. the Cliff Scott Memorial Trophy for the first place Australian boat went to 2009 Australian Champions Lachlan and Finn Gilbert who edged in front of two other boats in a tight finish.
