Early start for Invitational Skippers

10:35 PM Wed 21 Jan 2009 GMT

'Skandia Invitational Skipper's Breakfast -' Teri Dodds &copy Click Here to view large photo

The dress code ranged from shorts to suits as yachtsmen, dignitaries and sponsors swapped yarns, renewed acquaintances and rubbed shoulders at the inaugural Skandia Docklands Invitational Owners Breakfast.

More than 60 invited guests turned up for the early morning event held at Docklands' Melbourne Yacht Club Hotel. Skandia Geelong Week patron John Bertrand AM, fresh from his success at the Etchells Nationals, talked sailing with Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, Minister Jacinta Allen and City of Melbourne officials. Guest speaker Gavin Brady regaled the crowd with anecdotes about his experiences racing in Victoria and around the world.

With a sailing resume the envy of many, the America's Cup and match racing champion's time at the lectern was relaxed and entertaining. He modestly described his 2008 Passage Race win aboard Karl Kwok's 45 foot Reichel Pugh as 'one of the biggest jags in my sailing career' as he related the tale of his tactical decision which saw Beau Geste sailing an entirely different course during the 34 nautical mile race than boats with 'local knowledge.' The course choice appeared to be a fateful one until a fortunate wind shift lifted the yacht and her crew from definite zeroes to instant heroes when they powered home to secure a handicap win and impressive third place line honours behind the 98 foot Super Maxi Skandia Wild Thing.

These days Brady is racing aboard Alan Brierty's new Reichel Pugh 66 Limit, a boat he is full of praise for. Limit and her sister-ship Loki have enjoyed great battles for handicap honours since their launching in December. The two yachts are demanding to sail and conduct very similar racing programs.

As Limit's tactician, Brady believes 'success comes down to economics, logistics and polar percentages, it's simply a matter of maintaining the boat and crew at optimum level.' With the crews of Loki and Limit pushing their new yachts to the edge Brady maintains that the crew who 'learns their boat the fastest stands to benefit the most.'

The 17 yacht IRC Invitational fleet, representing some of the most competitive yachts from every State in Australia, revelled in a perfect sea breeze during yesterday's racing, but with less than ideal conditions predicted for day two, owners and skippers had plenty to occupy their minds as they headed down to the docks when the coffee, croissants and casual conversations were over.

Current series score can be found at www.docklandsinvitational.com

by Traci Ayris - Skandia Geelong Week Media

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