Tasmanian DF65 State Championship Results

A very light breeze greeted us today for the 2nd and last day of the DF65 State Championship. It felt a lot warmer at least, with thanks to the much warmer breeze.

Andy Hamilton got us away nicely on time, with similar two lap courses, with the proviso of shortening to one lap should the fickle breeze die out too much.

Luckily(or not), this only happened a few times. Again, there was lots of close racing throughout. Quite often a yacht broke out from the group, only to be crueled by sailing into a big hole and having the fleet catch back up.

That said though, the best always seem to find a way, and this weekend was no different, with Lisa Blackwood and Mathew Gray battling it out all day for the championship.

By the time the last race was finished, Lisa managed to hold out the fast closing in Mat Gray to win the championship with 36 points.

Mat Gray retained his overnight second to take the second place with 42 points.

Kyle Stewart similarly maintained his overnight 3rd, with 3rd overall on 63 points.

Well done to all competitors for a fantastic weekends sailing. Of big note throughout, were the examples of courteousy taking place on top of using the RRS to the extreme, with some great communication and ducking of other yachts just because it was simpler and a better thing to do, rather than be complicit in an incident.

Some great examples of communication on the water, especially when it was a common occurence with yachts finding themselves in irons and calling such out to approcahing yachts as a warning. A great example to maintain.

Sailors are remembered far more fondly for hard but respectful racing as opposed to using the RRS "just because you can".

Thank you to Geoff Martin and Andy Hamilton for putting on the event. Although a bit smaller in numbers than anticipated, we cannot plan for illness which did hamper the numbers this year.

Thanks also to all sailors who travelled to the event, from both the NW and south of the state. Something we really need to build on in order to help strengthen all of the clubs.

Really looking forward to the next state level event which should be involving all ends of the state - the A Class State Champs in Devonport in 6 weeks time.