Set sail
Riding the wind

By Michael Brooke
Volume 48, No. 8, May 18, 2006

FLTLT Peter Travis and FLTLT David Johnstone, pictured below, fight for third place in their Elliot sportboat (green sail) at the inter-Service yacht championships on Sydney Harbour.

Photos by Michael Brooke

AIR Force was on the right tack at the recent annual ADF Sailing Association’s inter-Service yacht racing championships on Sydney Harbour from May 9-10.

In the often heavy going and strong winds, the Air Force yacht ‘piloted’ by FLTLT David ‘Rocky’ Johnstone placed third in all six races.

The yacht, an Elliot 5.9, took out third in the fastest yacht category and third overall.

The inter-Service competition comprised six short races sailed near the Garden Island naval base. Ideal winds of 5-10 kts blew on the first day, but piped up to 10-25 kts in gusts on the second.

The strongest gusts exposed weaknesses in crews’ teamwork, and more than one yacht was laid on its beam end, with crews wondering if and when the keel would restore balance.

When the results of all races were combined, Navy was the clear winner with 51 points, Army was second with 97 points, and Air Force third with 103 points.

FLTLT Johnstone’s Elliot was the only Air Force entry, but more than held its own against four Navy and three Army boats.

Also crewed by FLTLT Peter Travis and an Army ring-in Jason Linton, the Elliot placed third in all six races. This was an extraordinary achievement, particularly as the Navy team included two world and national champions, CDRE Ric Longbottom and CMDR Martin Linsley.

FLTLT Johnstone attributed his boat’s success to the “crew’s consistency”.

“Our sole Air Force boat came within seven points of beating the entire Army team of three boats,” he said. “I’d like to urge more Air Force personnel to get involved next year. It’s great to have done so well, but it’s very disappointing that not that many ‘RAAFies’ got involved here.

“This reflects the high operational tempo, but I think more ‘RAAFies’ would compete in the future if they knew that you don’t have to be a class yachtsman to get out there and have a go. They are missing out on top sailing.

“[The championships] are great fun and two days of competition in a great team sport, held in a beautiful place.”

• For more information on the planned ADF dinghy and yachting championships and the NORTHSAIL adventurous training expedition, contact SGT Ross Macdonald on (02) 458 71762.

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