QLA held a very successful State Championship regatta in conjunction with the Lake Cootharaba Sailing Club over Saturday and Sunday of the ANZAC weekend. We had strong fleet numbers in all classes with the Standard rigs being the largest fleet for some years with 23 starters. Overall number of Lasers entered was just over 50 boats with entries from as far away as Tinaroo on the Atherton Tableland and the Clarence River Sailing Club near Grafton.
Lake Cootharaba provided beautiful late summer like weather with sunny days and 8- 12knt easterly breezes. Saturdays racing started at 1:00pm and we enjoyed two races in a steady breeze followed by a well attended and lively QLA AGM, election of a new Management Executive and a BBQ dinner in the Club house. Saturday’s races set the trend for the weekend with highly competitive racing in all fleets and the moderate winds ensured that the fleets remained close together and highly competitive during the race. As usual in this type of Laser racing any mistake could and did result in changes of position.
Sunday morning saw another glorious day and following early morning coffees a promising south easterly breeze started to build with suggestions of good breeze for the final three races. Unfortunately during the first race the breeze lightened and then backed around to an easterly but then strengthened, causing the second work to transform to a lead. The last two races were held in a 10 knt easterly with plenty of lifts and knocks to keep everyone concentrating. Once again the fleet racing was tightly contested from the front to the rear of the fleets.
Congratulations to the winners of each fleet:
4.7 Fleet:
1st James Woodhouse
2nd Indiabeau Laborie
3rd Natalie Bridge
Radial Fleet:
1st Josh Franklin
2nd Daniel Self
3rd Kerry Waraker
Standard Rig Fleet:
1st William Bates
2nd Brad Taylor
3rd Rob Bridge
Two other important awards were also made at the presentation. The Michael Reid Perpetual Trophy was presented to Daniel Self by Michael’s parents Robin and Jan Reid and the Mark Patterson Perpetual Trophy was won by Annie Eastgate and presented by Lyndall Patterson
Thanks go to all the sailors for the way the races were held in a competitive but friendly spirit and the Lake Cootharaba Sailing Club for hosting us and running an excellent regatta. Based on feedback from competitors I think we will be back soon.
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