2009 Optimist States

28 Jul 09 1:10

Over the last weekend 25th & 26th July Humpybong Yacht Club was represented by two of our junior sailors, Saraya D'arth and Joel Cox, Both competing in the green fleet competition of the Qld Optimist State Titles held at Royal Qld Yacht Squadron, Manly. This was very first regatta that Saraya has skippered, with a very creditable finish of 10th placing out of 18 boats. This is a fantastic boost to her confidence and I think we may be seeing her compete in many more regattas in the future.

Joel, after just finishing competion in the Youth Week Championships on his Dads Hobie 16 and having a win there, was eager to impress at the Opti States, finishing in a well fort 4th placing. Both of our two young sailors did our club proud. Part of the fun in competing for our youth is the naming of their boats. Saraya naming hers "STARFINDER" and Joel calling his "WRANGER ON FIRE". The club boats our youths used were proudly supplied by the "Gambling Commuity Benifits Fund and the QLD Government".

The conditions on Saturday were testing for even the seasoned sailor with winds 13 to 18 knots, They say that even the "STIG" would have been worried sailing one of these high powered machines in such conditions.

With all the nerves that a big event can muster both Saraya and Joel ventured out of Manly harbour and awaited their start in windy rough conditions. (Saraya Mum, Joel's Dad, our Treasurer and his two boys Ryan and Zane and our beloved President also braved the conditions, and got wet, on the clubs duck)

Race one warning signal was sounded and the compition was under way. The start was won by our very own Joel on his WRANGER ON FIRE and on fire he was leading around the first and second marks but unfortunately coming to grief at the third mark with a nose dive and a capsize whilst trying to jibe. His recovery effort was excellent and he managed to finish in 7th position. A great effort concidering their is a lot of bailing to be done before you get underway again. Saraya managed to make her way across the start line as well but the conditions quickly took over and decided that she two would do a little bailing exercise. After recovering from that ordeal Saraya got on with the job and managed to finish in 11th place. Good recovery and the determination is the key to success.

The day pressed on and the wind eased a little then picked up again making it a good competition for all. The sail back to the harbour was also trying with Saraya having a nose dive and again filling her boat with water but did avoid the capsize. Now that takes a lot of skill.

Sunday morning and the conditions now become completely the opposite, the trusty clubs duck now having to tow our two, (now very weary sore and sorry for themselves from the previous days racing), sailors to the start boat were they waited two and a half hours for enough breeze to have racing underway for the 3 final races of the series.

The conditions never got much above 4 knots of breeze and a run in tide made for some very smart sailing by our two competitors. Joel managed a 2nd place in race 6 with Saraya improving as the series went on with 12th, 10th, 9th respectively finishing on 54pts and Joel on 21pts.

This effort I am sure you will all agree is fantastic and I urge all our club member to congratulate both Saraya and Joel the next time you see them at the club or if you would like to send them a few words then email to the club and I will pass them on.

Photos of our youth in action are available on the gallery.

Russ McDonald - President HYC