Sailing news from Lake Keepit
Sailing Report Lake Keepit, Sunday 20th October 2024
What an amazingly fabulous day it was on Lake Keepit after the unsettled weather patterns that have besieged the northern slopes this week!
Boats were out of storage early today, driven by their eagerness to get out onto the water. Several new members had ‘on the water’ lessons in the morning as the line-up of rigged boats grew along the shore-line.
By 1.00pm ten boats of the mixed fleet of starters milled around the Race Officer’s boat on the starting line. The wind was non-existent to very soft and the count-down to the starting horn was well on its way. Our mixed fleet included; one trailer-yacht, three catamarans and six laser dinghies all anxious to start.
First away was Michael Bradfield (laser) closely followed by our 80yo Michael Juchau (catamaran) and Tim Corben (laser). This first beat to windward was fluky and varied in direction and Mick Bradfield led the fleet followed by Dave Aylwin (Marie cat) and Michael Juchau.
The wind increased in the centre of the lake and was non-existent along the shore. Gusts were stronger and Mick copped a large gust on the top mark gybe and fell off his boat which in its skipperless state tipped over! And so, the tricky course with increasing wind continued.
In the fleet were two raw beginners who were having a ball keeping their Lasers upright and under control. Mat, an Argentinean visitor, was one of these competitors who had attended the Learn to Sail course in the school vacation here at Lake Keepit. It was a great effort for him to successfully complete the race course today.
The water fun continued for three triangles and one windward-return leg and Manilla’s Dave Aylwin scored fastest time overall and first on corrected time. Great work Dave!
Second on corrected time: Michael Juchau
Third: Mick Bradfield
Next week’s race is Heat 2 of the Club Championship Series with a 1.00pm start.
Tim Corben Commodore LKSC (and Barraba resident)