Bill Fenelon
Over 36 crew in 20 boats, including beginners, took part in three club-championship events as part of the Tweed Valley Sailing Club’s first racing for 2019.
The day also included a try-sailing event for adults keen to learn or get back on the water, some after a 20-year break.
Mullum local Wren and her friend Charles had their first sailing dinghy lesson and loved it so much they stayed for the whole day.
Suzanna and Michael Murray drove up to Fingal to take their daughter Lucy for her first sail. It may have been over 20 years since Suzanna had sailed but it was ‘just like riding a bike,’ she said. The family spent the morning exploring the river on one of the club’s Corsairs.
In the NS14s Robert Preston took out beginner crew Igor Prado and was only 18 seconds behind second placed Dave Robinson and his son Hugh. First place went to Adam Hurt and junior crew Thomas Busbridge.
The singlehanded Impulses, with four competitors, had Brisbane visitor Peter Fell taking line honours in the monohulls in 74 mins.
The three-handed Corsairs had a break from their class champ series but still had six boats racing. Karen Vidler skippering Club Corsair 107 with Rob Shaddock and Marg Walgers led for the first leg and had a close race with Scott and Debbie Jones on Nimbus with ring-in crew and sailmaker Matthew Andrews from Ocean Shores.
They beat Karen to the line by only 35 seconds.
Karen will be one to watch over the season.
Karen’s 11-year-old son Kynan Luescher also impressed everyone today as he stepped up to take the helm of One Too Many with owners Liz and Michael Grace, who are still learning the ropes of their new boat.
Melita III somehow managed to scrape in at third place despite early errors.
Skipper Alison Blatcher and new crew Camille Lettieri and Wren Mclean got it together for the last lap and just pipped Peter Ross, Christine Martin, and Mark Storrier on Adrift at the line.
