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Strong and variable winds, equipment failure and strong competition were
not enough to prevent an ADF Sailing Association (ADFSA) team crew taking
fifth place in the recent 34th national Tasar [racing dinghy] championship
regatta.
Thirty nine boats from around Australia participated in the challenging
conditions.
Former Tasar world champion CDRE Rick Longbottom and OFFCDT Stephanie
Bacon sailed very consistently to finish fifth, while CMDR Martin Linsley
and SQNLDR Nick Grey from RAAF Base Tindal finished 11th, narrowly missing
out on 10th place.
ADFA MIDN Kirstin Norris and MIDN David Maddison finished 22nd, while
MIDN Daniel Boetteger and MIDN Brendan Naylor finished 32nd.
Team representative SQNLDR Grey said this was a good result for the two
trainee officers who were competing in their first Tasar national championship.
The Royal Perth Yacht Club hosted the event on Perth’s Swan River
from December 29 to January 5.
“The standard of racing was very high among the fleet and those who
finished in the top 10 had to work very hard for their places,” SQNLDR
Grey said.
The Swan River was an idyllic location for the championship and the Fremantle
Doctor the often strong afternoon sea breeze lived up to its reputation.
The weather conditions were demanding for both competitors and boats early
in the championship, and several competitors experienced equipment failure.
Unsettled weather conditions were experienced over the remainder of the
competition.
The moderate to strong and shifting winds gave competitors some hard upwind
legs, fast reaches [sailing off the wind], and overall exciting racing.
ADF Sailing Association participation in the championship would not have
been possible without a dedicated team manager, LCDR Michael Rock, who
was assisted by PO Peter Wilcox.
The next championship for ADFSA members will be the 2007 Tasar World Championship,
which will be held from July 2-11 in Phuket, Thailand.
Inquiries should be directed to SQNLDR Nick Grey at nicholas.grey@defence.gov.au
or Tel (08) 8973 7300.
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