ACT News and Information
28/11/08 - ACT Titles
The 41st ACT NS14 Championships were held on the weekend
of 22-23 November 2008 on Lake Burley Griffin in windy, cold conditions.
Squalls were coming across the water at up to 34 knots, snow was
falling on the ranges and the wind chill factor had the evening
news reporting the Saturday temperature at just 2 degrees. I was
sure I heard Alex Chittenden of Beach Twenty Five being given
some sage advice along the lines of ‘be careful of the bullets
on this Lake – they’re evil’…..
Of the six NS’s brave enough to head out, not a single
one finished the first race. I admit to looking at what was coming
in across the Brindabellas and taking to a rescue boat. Perhaps
it was the wind, maybe it was the cold but according to the skippers
Roey and I pulled out that day it was warmer in the water! Indeed,
of a fleet of 51 competing in the ACT Dinghy Championships, only
5 completed the course and further racing on Saturday was postponed.
Sunday’s forecast was for more damaging winds and rain.
Undeterred Race Officer Paul Fitzwarryne pushed on (and I figured
it was time to try out the new camera). The wind had swung to
the south requiring an awkward course with a start deep into Sullivan’s
Creek, the first work up to Yarralumla Bay, a reach across Spinnaker
Island and a slight reprieve from the southerly as the boats headed
to the wing mark just under the lee of Expert’s Point. A
broad reach back to the bottom mark completed the triangle, with
the windward return up near Yarralumla Bay and back to the finish.
Five boats started Race 2 with Hugh Tait and Tom Potter (Tigger
Too) out in front while Graham and Harry Lee (Fire‘n’Ice)
and Mike Hitchens and Di Lane (Crosstown Traffic) tussled for
second and third. Five boats started Race 3, Hugh again took to
the lead, Mike lost his mast overboard downwind and Micheal Tait
and Rosie Lee (Tigger) and Graham fought it out to the end with
just 3 seconds separating them over the line. Down to four boats
for Race 4, Hugh starting to show the benefits of youth kept his
Dad at bay, Graham came in third and Alex Chittenden and Jack
McNally (Beach Twenty Five) continued to put in solid performances.
Race 5 saw four boats start but only the Taits finish as Graham
and Alex headed for the shore. A cold series was completed, it
was well and truly time to de-rig and prepare for the long drive
home.
Congratulations to Hugh Tait and Tom Potter in Tigger Too, 1st,
ACT NS14 Championships for 2008, and Alex Chittenden and Jack
McNalley in Beach Twenty Five, 1st Handicap, ACT NS14 Championships.
The ACT NS14 Association would like to sincerely thank all the
sailors who made the trip to Canberra. Thanks also to Championship
sponsor Barracouta Sails for their generous support, and the YMCA
Sailing Club of Canberra for hosting the event.
Mary Tulip
ACT NS14 Publicity
NS1740 / MG370 - Roma
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