The 2014 Women's State Keelboat Championships
at Mounts Bay Sailing Club
A great day on the water, provided by Swan River Sailing and Mounts Bay Sailing Club as part of the SRS's commitment to competition on the river. This time it was the ladies day on the water in predominately light winds out of the north west and tracking west as the morning progressed. Seven teams were involved with hot favourite Adele Jackson from RFBYC expected to add to her two previous wins this year. Not to say she wasn't under a load of pressure as last years gunners South of Perth had a good team at hand and Carolyne Bush from Freo had her team honed and waiting to pounce. Add the Royal Perth teams headed by Jen Richardson and Janet Hornbuckle and the number two team from Freshie headed up by Trish Ford with Monique De Vries at the helm; there was some competition available. Then add in East Fremantle with Zoe Thomson a young champion Laser 4.7 sailor at the helm, supported by a great team of seasoned lady sailors.
Anything could happen. And did!
The first race was scooped up by Zoe Thomson as she went along the shore line on Matilda Bay, picking up the pressure. Not once but twice and she beat the leading boat South of Perth over the line with Fremantle just behind them at the finish. Adele from RFBYC had an indifferent start and was not competitive in the race.
The second race was a reverse of the first race with Carolyne taking the top mark and Zoe well behind. Using the shore again, Zoe did very well pulling in the competition who had stayed left and didn't realize the South of Perth had chosen a better run up the middle and was laying the finish line. RFBYC's Adele Jackson was third.
The third race started with possibly two OCS called by the starters and East Fremantle returned to re cross the line and finish with 6 points against their names. However Adele Jackson may have not realized that she was over and continued on to cross the line first. A pity as in hindsight, the over all result may have changed if she had returned. Carolyne Bush picked up the first win for FSC with Jen Richardson of RP picking up a second and Monique's' RFBYC took third.
The fourth race was a win for Adele, with positive sailing and a good finish in a breeze swinging into the West. Slow pace from East Fremantle and SoPYC having trouble with spinnakers, left them behind the pace and Adele turned up the wick and was first boat around on the second down wind. The next boat was Monique helming Freshie 2 for the second and Zoe with EFYC picking up the third.
Fifth race and it was anyone's game with permutations of scores, once the drop was factored in, leaving it open to four teams to get up and a remote possibility of RFBYC (Adele) getting up for a win.
SoPYC had 8 points, EFYC had 6 points, FSC had 8 points, RFBYC (Monique) had 9 points and RFBYC 1's had 11 points.
Sailing in a strengthening westerly, Adele got away to the top on the first mark, with Carolyne following and the three other possible winners fell away after the mark and could not stay in the race. The two Royal Perth Yacht Club boats however, had been practicing in better breeze and relished the chance, taking it up to the two leaders and a choice on the second down wind had Adele go the wrong way and she was passed by the RPYC boats who followed Carolyne down her winning path with Jen Richardson (RPYC) taking the second and Janet Hornbuckle (RPYC) taking the third.
Results. Fremantle Sailing Club First nine points; East Fremantle second 12 points; SoPYC third 14 points; RFBYC (Monique) fourth 14 points (on countback); RFBYC (Adele) fifth on 15 points; RPYC (Jen R) sixth 15 points (on countback) and RPYC (Janet H) seventh on 16 points.
But it all could have ended differently. It was a game of snakes and ladders today and being in pressure was the name of the game.
Many thanks to Swan River Sailing, Pat Vos who drove the maintenance rib and took me around; to Carolyne of SRS who said come on board and the volunteers all, who made the day possible.
Great racing and enjoy the pictures.
Anything could happen. And did!
The first race was scooped up by Zoe Thomson as she went along the shore line on Matilda Bay, picking up the pressure. Not once but twice and she beat the leading boat South of Perth over the line with Fremantle just behind them at the finish. Adele from RFBYC had an indifferent start and was not competitive in the race.
The second race was a reverse of the first race with Carolyne taking the top mark and Zoe well behind. Using the shore again, Zoe did very well pulling in the competition who had stayed left and didn't realize the South of Perth had chosen a better run up the middle and was laying the finish line. RFBYC's Adele Jackson was third.
The third race started with possibly two OCS called by the starters and East Fremantle returned to re cross the line and finish with 6 points against their names. However Adele Jackson may have not realized that she was over and continued on to cross the line first. A pity as in hindsight, the over all result may have changed if she had returned. Carolyne Bush picked up the first win for FSC with Jen Richardson of RP picking up a second and Monique's' RFBYC took third.
The fourth race was a win for Adele, with positive sailing and a good finish in a breeze swinging into the West. Slow pace from East Fremantle and SoPYC having trouble with spinnakers, left them behind the pace and Adele turned up the wick and was first boat around on the second down wind. The next boat was Monique helming Freshie 2 for the second and Zoe with EFYC picking up the third.
Fifth race and it was anyone's game with permutations of scores, once the drop was factored in, leaving it open to four teams to get up and a remote possibility of RFBYC (Adele) getting up for a win.
SoPYC had 8 points, EFYC had 6 points, FSC had 8 points, RFBYC (Monique) had 9 points and RFBYC 1's had 11 points.
Sailing in a strengthening westerly, Adele got away to the top on the first mark, with Carolyne following and the three other possible winners fell away after the mark and could not stay in the race. The two Royal Perth Yacht Club boats however, had been practicing in better breeze and relished the chance, taking it up to the two leaders and a choice on the second down wind had Adele go the wrong way and she was passed by the RPYC boats who followed Carolyne down her winning path with Jen Richardson (RPYC) taking the second and Janet Hornbuckle (RPYC) taking the third.
Results. Fremantle Sailing Club First nine points; East Fremantle second 12 points; SoPYC third 14 points; RFBYC (Monique) fourth 14 points (on countback); RFBYC (Adele) fifth on 15 points; RPYC (Jen R) sixth 15 points (on countback) and RPYC (Janet H) seventh on 16 points.
But it all could have ended differently. It was a game of snakes and ladders today and being in pressure was the name of the game.
Many thanks to Swan River Sailing, Pat Vos who drove the maintenance rib and took me around; to Carolyne of SRS who said come on board and the volunteers all, who made the day possible.
Great racing and enjoy the pictures.