Results of Herb Tyson Memorial for International A Class - 28th August 2017

No doubt it was a gruelling day today, a wrap up will follow.

​Day one of the State Champs for A Class radio yachts presented exactly as forecast, windy. Concurrently, the first three placegetters at the end of day one became the podium winners in the annual *Herb Tyson Memorial regatta.  With boats representing NW, North, Risdon Brook and the Huon club, it was set to be a statewide competition.
The boats varied in sail area depending on the length of their waterline so it was no surprise that short waterline big sail boats were going to struggle in the blustery conditions.  Surprisingly, no one changed to smaller sails such was the hectic pace of the day.  Attrition took its toil with a few yachts suffering gear damage. PRO Ken Dobbie called the day  off early due to the ever increasing winds and safety concerns for the rescue boat crew.  
What is interesting is, that this is the venue for the 2018 Nationals, and over time it is becoming obvious that all conditions may be experienced next year.  So it will be a fair call whoever are the winners in the respective classes.
Lisa Blackwood just scraped in to win from long time ‘A’ arch rivals John Cole Cook and Michael Hickman.  Lisa first won this event in 1979, almost 40 years ago.  It was commented that the A class is still the nicest boat of all classes to sail so it is hoped a resurgence of the class will come to fruition with several new boats in production.
           *Herb Tyson was the original Tasmanian ‘A’ State champion and a founding member of RBRYC.