Report - 1993 Flying 15 Nationals - Held at Davey's Bay YC
Report by James Thompson - from the DBYC News...
(NOTE: For the nerdy history buffs, the regatta results can be found by CLICKING HERE)
This year, Davey's Bay was host to the Flying Fifteen Nationals. 44 boats turned out, 6 coming all the way from Western Australia, but disappointing turnouts from closer to home with only one other Victorian showing up apart from 5 each from Gippsland and Mornington, not forgetting Davey's Bay's great turnout of 20 boats.
A lot of hard work had gone into the preparation for this regatta by both the Davey's Bay Committee and the Flying Fifteen Association. The western ramp was cleared and graded and David Berry made the beach driveable, ready for the first visitor to arrive, from Perth, a week before Christmas. Then a trickle of boats filtered in just after Christmas and all of a sudden it was 'ON'- boats everywhere being rigged, and derigged, measured, checked, tuned and compared. The place was a buzz' - people registering with the efficient team in the junior clubhouse, enjoying the wide range of fresh food laid on by the kitchen staff or relaxing in the shade of the marquee with anyone of a number of choices for thirst quenching.
A match series kicked off the event and apart from two locals getting a bit serious, no major damage was done and everyone took the opportunity to get on the water and acclimatise to the conditions. Veteran champion, Graham Lillingston with crew Michael Rochow took the match racing series for the second year in a row.
A cocktail party was held on the Lidgett's front lawn to welcome the competitors and guests. They were greeted by many of the younger club members, seeing that everyone was fed, refreshed and enjoying themselves. Some extra entertainment was provided by Athol's golf clubs and a shoebox full of golf balls as a queue of guests lined up for a shot or two at 'Grimwade' swinging unsuspectingly on its mooring in the bay. Fortunately, no-one was on target. (The juniors wish to make this an annual event, as they all earned quite a bit of pocket money the next day - at Athol's expense - diving for the balls in the bay).
The invitation race was run in disappointingly light conditions after we had a week of good winds. Peter Gale & Mark Rimington chose to test the voodoo the whoever wins the invitation race, doesn't win the series. It was a very, very long race with the windward mark nearly at Mornington, making the sail home a very long trip in which to contemplate one's mistakes.
An eager fleet sailed out for heat 1 in a light Easterly. The race was on for about 5 minutes and then the wind fizzled out and everyone was eventually towed home in flat calm after a fruitless wait. A nice 20 knotter was blowing for heat 2. Grant Anderson and Andrew Harry from Perth led all the way but halfway up the last beat they did a bad tack and half filled with water after which they wallowed along at half speed being rapidly caught by Lillingston & Rochow. However, they just got to the finish first by the skin of their teeth. Half of the fleet had their own private race as they sailed toward shore looking for a windward mark that wasn't there. Grumblings about mislaid marks were soon dispelled as they were shown the Club's recently hired G.P.S. equipment. Third was James Thomson and Michael Ritchie of Davey's Bay. John Calvert-Jones, returning after 20 years or so absence from the club and Flying Fifteens, and crewed by Michael Baillieu, showed he could still do it, finishing 5th. Phil Williams & Bill Forrest were right up there with an 8th. Rod Alsop and Duncan Fraser-Smith after much work all year to get the Regatta happening, celebrated with a 12th and Bob Brunton & Wulf Tietz had what was to be their equal best with a 31st.
Heat 2 was another sunny day and 15 knots of wind. Lillingston & Rochow led all the way to win from now National President, Nils Bluman and Mark Bulka from Esperance and Grant & Andrew 3rd. Grant was on crutches when he arrived in Melbourne and Andrew nearly needed to borrow them the day of heat 1, but these injuries didn't seem to be holding them back - we hoped so anyway. James & Michael got into a tangle at one mark and ended up being disqualified after protest after finishing 2nd - never mind, he was PMS anyway. While awaiting a verdict of the protest on the club lawn a seagull managed to find it's mark on James' head - not a good sign. Disgruntled, he then managed to sideswipe a white post up the car park, never mind the car's old - home at last - yes - locked himself out!
People who had a better day were Adrian Jensen & Ross Hunter with a 12th, Andrew ("who knows how to fly a plane?") Cody and Fraser Brown were 25th, Tom Stokes & Mike Leyden had a 30th, David Berry & Bill Ferme were 32nd and Brian Nixon and Don Bertram also had their best with a 37th.
The next morning was a resail on Heat 1, but even the resail was aborted after one triangle - somewhat courageous decision by Race Officer Noel Brooke, due to the wind being undecided about which way it wanted to blow, which was to be pretty much the way it went for the rest of the Regatta making it into a test of patience & nerve as much as anything. Mark & Peter mastered the conditions to win the restarted resail after some big position swings. Second was class legend Bill Shand & David Parish, and third another Gippslander, David Meldrum, sailing an excellent series with world's runner-up crew Michael Brown imparting his wisdom from the front. Athol Lidgett & John Pollock had a great 10th & Kim Jaques & Graham Hosking had their best - a 34th.
It was Davey's Bay's turn again in the afternoon, with James & Michael winning a nail-biter from Ashley Smith & Phil Will (Qld) and Mark Fisher and Michelle Van Veenendaal 3rd. They were sailing Rob Berlyn's boat, Mark being a former world OK dinghy champion & Michelle well known to the club. Not much other joy apart from Mark & Peter hanging in there with a 4th and Nick Peck & Andrew Peck starting to fire with a 6th.
Lay Day was celebrated with a visit to the wineries, which was much enjoyed by those who participated.
Heat 5 in the morning after was won convincingly by Mark & Michelle (Probably did not go on the wine tour the day before!). Grant & Andrew sailed back into contention with a good 2nd after having been a bit quiet. Peter & Mark were 3rd. Nigel Peck & Geoff Butt had a good 19th and Bob & Wulf had another 31st.
Heat 6 in the afternoon couldn't get started and we were all towed in again.
Two races were scheduled for the last day with the first one snuck in earlier nearly being too early for a sleepy James Thomson! However, he woke up enough for him and Michael to win from Grant & Andrew with Ashley & Phil 3rd. Nick & Andrew had a very good 4th.
Lunch was taken on the water with the leaders doing sums and working out combinations-but all to no avail as the wind disappeared and in an anti-climatic finish we were towed in for the last time.
Grant Alderson & Andrew Harry from Perth well deserved their win. James & Michael were 2nd and Mark & Peter were 3rd. David Berry and Bill Ferme won the handicap and Andrew Drummond won the trophy for the first skipper under 21.
Presentation night was held at Peninsula Golf Club. Ian Cleaver from Scotland did his normal entertainment and it was a last chance to say good bye to old friends and new friends as the boats had already been packed up and trundled away and a sad hush had fallen upon the club. Thanks to the mums, dads, wives, husbands, sons & daughters who put in a mountain of work in and around the club, everyone left with fond memories of Davey's Bay.