The event, run by women for women, ran like clockwork with everything happening on time and to plan.
Conditions on Saturday were tricky with gusty northerlies for the coaching on Saturday morning giving way to the strong southerly change that came through just at the end of the first race in the afternoon. Clearly many participants were unsure of being able to handle the conditions but the coaches did a fantastic job of getting their groups on the water in their boats or in the support boats. "The way some of the sailors realised that they could handle the conditions built so much confidence"
For the younger competitors, the chance to be up close to such champion sailors made for an unforgettable weekend. The Opti girls all had time on the water in the blustery conditions on Saturday morning and under the watchful eye of coach Eliza Solly managed to master the winds. The strong southerly change in the afternoon made it unsuitable for Opti racing but the girls went out on the water in the coach boat and had a once in a lifetime experience of a quick spin on a Laser Radial with olympic aspirant Ashley Stoddart. More great coaching on Sunday morning but the skill they all wanted to learn was launching from the shore without getting their feet wet like Krystal Weir!
The coaching side of regatta was brilliant. "Yesterday was so much time on the water, usually we are lucky to get an hour with a coach". "At one stage Jess stepped into one of the boats and showed us some techniques while we filmed. We watched the video back and put it all in to practice on Sunday. I've been sailing for years and have never been showed how to do it correctly."
"There has been so much laughing (getting in and out of boats) and no shouting. The coaching has been fantastic!"
"For the officials it has been great to get some mentoring on how to do all aspects of running a race. Truly there have been no dumb questions, everyone has been so helpful"
"It's been a day just for us, we are doing something for oursleves and not running around after husbands and kids!"
"It has been a great networking opportunity, meeting with other females involved
For the coaches, it was gratifying to see the improvement in their groups. "Katrina and Silke competing in 4 races on the Saturday - inspiring! Silke was the last novice off the water, she capsized twice but battled on. A fantastic job and we promoted her to the intermediate group. That attitude gives me the confidence to try a new sport myself!"
So what about the men behind the women - the quiet achievers launching and retrieving the coach boats, ferrying the powerboat crews between shore and moored boats and in the kitchen preparing the meals? Well they have all been happy to support the women and make sure they have a great time. "My tiller broke at the end of the day on Saturday and my husband was up all night fixing it so I could be back on the water on Sunday morning"
Lasting impressions? "So many smiles, the camaraderie was brilliant". "It was a really positive and friendly vibe. Everyone was speaking to each other. There's a different feeling even from the ladies keelboat regatta. People are sharing a lot of information it seems more open. There is racing but it is not a competitive environment"
Congratulations to all the competitors and to those who topped their divisions to take home trophies. Particular congratulations to WYCs own Eleanore Rich who was awarded the Sarah the Sailor Award for the under 18 sailor finishing top 5 in their division who best demontrates Sarah Blanck values. The Sarah Blanck Perpetual Trophy for the top 5 finisher who best demonstrates Sarah Blanck values was awarded to Susan Hextall from Noraville, NSW (mid-way between Sydney and Newcastle)
Eleanore and Susan will now hold a special place in WYC's honour rolls with their names attached to the magnificent perpetual trophies that will be on dsplay in the clubrooms.
Detailed results below:
Last Modified on 18/11/2014 18:44