The 2013 Contender State Championships were hosted by Hillary's Yacht Club over February 16 & 17. The format of the regatta was for 8 short races around 30-45 minutes in duration split over the two days.
On Saturday morning a strong fleet of 10 boats made their way south from the Hillary's boat harbour in a light Northeasterly wind, nothing like the 12-18kt Southerly breeze forecast. Joining the 'regular' participants numbering 5 from RFBYC and 3 from HYC, were first timers Brad Utting, an accomplished Laser sailor from HYC and Dylan Schroeder, a former 420 sailor returning to the sport after a short break.
Saturday's races were sailed in 4-8 knots and around 1.5m of sloppy swell. The wind gradually swung to the south and varied in strength which kept the race management crew busy moving marks to accommodate under the instruction of first time PRO Deborah Fisk. Clay Cook established his dominance early winning the first two races. Chris McDonald put it all together correctly and took the third which only inspired Clay to sail faster and win the fourth. Brad Utting sailed very well in the last race for a second place. Apart from Clay's three wins and a second Ross Brennan (4, 2, 4, 3) and Adam Brett (3, 3, 3, 6) were the only other boats to find consistency and sat in second and third respectively after the first day's racing. When factoring in the two drops allowed after completing the full program Chris McDonald (6, 4, 1, 8), Brad Utting (5, 5, 8, 2) and Simon Barwood (2, 6, 5, 5) were still in the mix.
Sunday morning was the cheese to the previous day's chalk with a glorious 20 knots of Southerly breeze blowing on arrival at HYC, with the forecast promising a steady increase in pressure as a front approached the coast. PRO Chris Kelly elected to sail in the more protected waters to the Northwest of the boat harbour as the swell had built to over 2 metres. Eight boats left the harbour but only six made it to the start line. The wind eased to 15-18 knots just before Heat 5 began and Richard Shallcross was immediately relishing his preferred conditions and managed to avoid capsize to race away to an easy win with Clay finishing second after tipping in at the top mark. The two fought it out again in Heat 6 and were separated by millimetres on the finish line with Chris Kelly awarding the win to his young protégé Clay. Meanwhile the fight for minor placings was intensifying with Simon scoring two thirds ahead of Adam's pair of fourth placings and Ross's fifths to be equal with Ross and a single point behind Adam after one drop.
The top two placings were identical in the penultimate race with Richard now making a late claim for a minor placing. Ross headed for the shelter of the harbour and a warm shower which left five boats to contest the final heat in a breeze that had freshened to over 20 knots. Going into the final race and after both drops Richard and Simon were on 16 points with Adam on 17. The exertion required for three top two finishes in the previous 3 races had clearly left Richard with no more petrol tickets to spend and he took several rests on an upturned 'Pen15'. Clay was clear in the lead, Adam rounded the final mark two boatlengths ahead of Simon but then paid a heavy price for not covering Simon's tack away to the left hand side falling back to finish third.
Clay ended with a perfect score (6) after dropping his two seconds and showed why he has been at the pointy end of the National's fleet in the last two Australian Championships. He was awarded the State Champion trophy by HYC Rear Commodore Simon Davenport at an informal ceremony as the rain was being blown horizontally in a breeze that had now built to 30 knots.
Minor placings went to Simon (18) and Adam (20) with Richard (21) tantalisingly close in fourth place. Ross (23) was fifth overall and won the Master's trophy (50yrs+) with Norman Brandon picking up the Heavyweight award (90kg+). Brad Utting (27) finished a very credible sixth overall and took the 'Debutante' award and Dylan Schroeder was anointed 'Junior Champion'.
The social aspect is an important part of Contender sailing and the fleet enjoyed lunch and a few drinks with the race committee and volunteers from HYC and were regaled with Chris Kelly's stories of a young Clay Cook in his Scotch College short pants taking to the water and subsequently developing, under Chris's expert guidance, into the champion he is today.
Many thanks to Hillary's Yacht Club for hosting the regatta, both PRO's and the volunteer team who did an excellent job to complete the full racing program in vastly different conditions over the two days. Thanks also to Bonfire for sponsoring the event and providing some very handsome trophies.
Next up for the Contender fleet are the 2013 Worlds in Italy in July followed closely by the 2014 Australian and World Championships on Lake Macquarie (NSW) in January.
The International Contender Dinghy is a high performance, one sailed, single person trapeze skiff. The boat is easy and enjoyable to sail and suits a wide weight range from 65 – 100kg. Anyone interested can contact fleet captains Clay Cook (RFBYC) on 0404 027 778 or Norman Brandon (HYC) on 0423 100 649, both yacht clubs have boats available to test sail and purchase.