NSW/ACT Laser State Titles (PSA Masters Series 2)

12:41 AM Tue 25 Nov 2008 GMT

'Sunday storm recovery - NSW/ACT Laser Masters State Championships (PSA Series 2)' Samantha Hillier

Checking the weather through the week leading up to the Masters State was worrying. The weather was looking like it would test the best for the second round of the Masters Series.

The location chosen for this regatta was Jervis Bay Sailing Club, a great little sailing club located at Callala Bay.
To picture this area, it would normally look like a place straight out of a post card. Sandy white beaches nestle right in a marine park full of dolphins in crystal clear water. With a perfect north-easter it would be an early Christmas present. Not this regatta!

Weather predictions where simple, 20 to 30 knots plus, coming from the west and then swinging to the south and piping up even further, Sunday to be even worse. Not sailing myself (a few years too young) my dad was a little concerned for his own rig as at the weekend as it we are only 4 weeks away from leaving to go to Perth for the Nationals.

Still, at 6am we left for the trip down south.

After getting lost and not seeing another Laser on the road in fours hours of travelling we arrived to find a huge 115 entries! Almost double the last NSW Laser regatta. Boats were every where..... on their trailers.

The morning started slow with most asking the same question, 'What's going on?' 'Are we racing?' While others were trying to hide. A pre race meeting was called by Tony Denham the Race Officer and the decision was made to try for a start for the first race.

Tough conditions - NSW/ACT Laser Masters State Championships (PSA Series 2) - Samantha Hillier

With in minutes the big fleet turned in to a sea of white sails working in synchronisation as the westerly gusts pumped through the rigs.

Full rigs joined by radials and one 4.7 started heading out to what was calm on the beach, but just out of sight there was a piping hot westerly. Almost straight away we got the long lens out to see Lasers doing what they do best, reaching across the bay at full power with most boats finding fresh air under there hulls as they pumped over the swells.It was clear that the wind pressure had just gone up another gear and as half the fleet was leaving the beach, the boss pulled the pin, and a few relieved faces could be seen pulling there boats back up the beach.

As the fleet returned to shore, everybody was granted leave for the day with a promise of another try on Sunday.
While a few chose to call it a weekend, the rest started on for afternoon drinks followed by dinner and trivia organised by the Chairman Colin Cain. The MC for the night was the 'great' Rob Lowndes at the local RSL. Dinner was Chinse from the Sea Dragon Chinese restaurant.

Everybody split into 8 teams (I think) and names were made up (I'm sure of it, but what happens at the regatta stays at the regatta). Sailors from a range of clubs mingled, while some enjoyed cold beer and bourbon with no phone service to bother them, others found it a little disappointing at not being able to get there favourite cocktail.

Sunday arrived soon enough and with sailors travelling from across the Tasman being New Zealand, travelling down from Queensland, up from Melbourne and ACT and everywhere else you can hide a Laser, pressure was on for a 3 race series.

It was icy cold changed from the summer's day on Saturday. The wind looked good for as far as the eye could see. However, the radar told a different story. All around the area was showing gale force winds; it looked like we were in the eye of the storm.

F1 Laser sailing - NSW/ACT Laser Masters State Championships (PSA Series 2) - Samantha Hillier

The call was again made 'Let give it another go' And the fleet ventured out again.

5 minutes. 5 minutes was all it took for the weather to change. This will come as no surprise to most, but as half the fleet was launching, one Laser left and within five minutes ended up out of control on the north beach, followed closely by 3 more boats. The southerly arrived like a steam train and most of the sailors that were already on the water turned around straight away dumping sheet and vang faster than Olympic sailor and found themselves on an almost out of control reach with roster tails spraying every where. Soon after the swell arrived and it became hard to pick between up turned hulls and the waves.

A mention should go to a few sailors which stayed out to help out others which were caught in the heavy conditions.

With the fleet rounded up and all safely back to shore, there were some very tired faces and banged up heads, while others had big child like grins from the adrenaline rush.

While there was no conclusion to this regatta, I did find out Later that Billy Bollard from NSW was first to the start line on Saturday (I was not given Sunday's results). Team Rooster won the trivia and the Kiwi's won the World Rugby League Cup! Just to put that in writing as I did not mind the dirty looks I was getting from other tables while cheering when the kiwis scored (Hey the Wallabies got Deans).

Gutsy sailor staying out to help others - NSW/ACT Laser Masters State Championships (PSA Series 2) - Samantha Hillier

Big Thanks goes to 'Jervis Bay Sailing Club' and the Callala Bay community for their hospitality with our big fleet.

With out Cathy Herrmann, Mrs Millsy and Samantha Hillier, the paper work could not have been done.
Big thanks to Tony Denham, the race officer for looking after the event.

At this stage, still to be confirmed, PSA Series 2 will be re run and I hope to see everybody back for a red hot go again or even just to find another RSL as a venue for everyone to poke fun at each other.