ACT News
41st ACT NS14 Championships
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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