Army sails close to win
Volume 11, No. 44, June 01, 2006
By Michael Brooke

On deck: Capt Clint Seares, DFSU, Capt Brett Seymor, School of Inf, and Lt Andrew Robb, 4RAR (hidden), at the 2006 ADF Inter-Service Yacht Racing Championship. Photo by Michael Brooke.

ARMY’S own sailors were far from fish out of water when they finished runner-up in the 2006 ADF Inter-Service Yacht Racing Championship on Sydney Harbour on May 9-10.

In keeping with the expectations of organisers – and many participants – Navy won the championship, but Army’s sailors were never far behind.

Nine soldiers in three Elliot 6 sportsboats competed in the 2006 six-race championship hosted by the internationally renowned Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, in ideal conditions opposite the Garden Island naval base.

When the results of all six races were combined, the senior service was the clear winner, with 51 points, Army was second on 97 points with RAAF close behind on 103 points.

Army’s best sailor, Capt Clint Seares, XO Force Prep Coy DFSU, said Army could hold its head high.
“There’s no shame coming

runner-up to the Navy,” he said.

“They fielded a strong team, including several former world champions.

“Army did reasonably well if you consider our inexperience.”

Capt Seares, whose yacht actually won race five in 41min 57sec, said sailing was perhaps the sport most demanding of teamwork.

“Yachting is probably the ultimate team sport because of the important role of all crew members, which might explain why sailing is being considered as an adventurous training activity.”

The three Army boats were sailed by Capt Seares, Capt Brett Seymour and Lt Andrew Robb; Capt Ed Jackson, Capt Ben Harlow and Capt Ben Jordan; Cfn David Vagg, Maj Glenn Mackenzie and Capt Ross Cable.

The racing was managed by Maj Col Chidgey, with support from HMSTY Young Endeavour.

The whole event, including the prize-giving ceremony at the Cruising Yacht Club, was well coordinated by John Crawford.
The ADF Sailing Association held its Annual General Meeting during the championship.

Minutes are now available to ADF members from the Association’s Service representatives, including Army representative Maj Mackenzie.

The minutes include information on planned ADFSA dinghy and yachting championships for 2006 and 2007, an update on intentions concerning Northsail adventurous training, and the possibility of Tasar racing in Thailand and yacht racing with the Royal New Zealand Navy.

Membership information for the Army Sailing Club can be obtained from Maj Mackenzie by emailing glenn.mackenzie@defence.gov.au