The Kangaroo Island Yacht Club was a hive of activity at the weekend as they hosted the South East Regional Selection Sailing Regatta between 16 sailors from Victor Harbor and cluster schools plus one from Meningie and 23 sailors from KICE.
The beautiful waters of Nepean Bay were a picture with the distinctive red and blue sails of the Puffin Pacers loaned from Victor Harbor for the event, as the teams raced three complete rounds of 15 races each round to determine the first and second place getters for the privilege of competing in the South Australian Schools Sailing Championship to be sailed at Port Lincoln during the April School Holidays.
The Regatta winner was Victor Harbor Marco with 13 wins and 129 points closely followed by KI Quebec with 12 wins and 128 points. Third was the Composite Team made up of skipper and crew combinations from both schools and they proved tough competitiors and challenged all the other teams.
The all-girl skipper team KI Oscar was 4th and these girls will not be eligible to go to Port Lincoln as they have been chosen in the Southern Academy Netball Squad and have to attend a camp that weekend. Victor Harbor Polo was fifth, followed by our learner team KI X-Ray who accredited themselves very well and this speaks volumes for the future of Team Sailing on KI with the enthusiasm and eagerness shown by the young sailors.
Skipper Eliza Sheridan received a special commendation from Race Officer Darryl Frears for her efforts over the two days, both for her leadership skills and acting on advice from the Umpires.
The Regatta would not run without the support of volunteers, both parents and Yacht Club Members from Victor and KI and we wish to extend thanks to all who gave of their time for the two days. Special mention must go to Darryl Frears who flew from Port Lincoln to act as Race Officer and to the Umpires Uni students Sarah & Josh Wright (previously Team Sailors from Meningie Area School) who flew from Adelaide just to umpire for us. Theses umpires were also assisted by Damon Tyley & Ian Porteous.
Ron Hall did a sterling job as On Water In Charge and also for two days in start boat “Tenacious” (not bad for the grand old man of the sea well into his seventies) KIYC Life Member Shirley Bell was the Recording Officer in close liaison with Rene Steyn in the Bridge who collated the results and posted them for all to see.
Others to help on the water were Sophie Sheridan, Mary Perkins, Russell Colman & Daniel Edwards. Sharon Tucker’s shoulder gave out and her excitement at the prospect of driving the duck did not eventuate likewise Gerome van der Linden, scheduled to drive an umpire boat, whose back gave out “Viking” was manned by Anthony Muecke & Maggie Patterson, also acting as Press Photographer who set up the Data Show of the day’s sailing for the Presentation Dinner entertainment, and Wayne Faint & Peter Lovering.
“Viking” scored one fish on Friday as they had to tow Team Change Over Red Duck to shore for immediate medical attention as it stalled on the water and skipper Rob Morley was waving his arms in distress with a duck load of kids.
Toni Kempster and her Galley helpers did a magnificent job all weekend providing breakfasts for the Victor people and lunches for everybody, a wonderful Welcome BBQ, yiros for tea Friday night and Pasta for the Presentation Dinner. Trish van der Linden undertook to collect and collate all the food orders from both Victor & KI so thanks Trish.
Many thanks to Sealink who sponsored the bringing of the Victor Harbor Pacers here for the Regatta and to The Islander and KI Medical Centre who sponsored the winning teams medallions.
Also to Ian Willmott “The Office” finish boat, Johannes Steyn Umpire boat and Paul Thomas Umpire Boat who provided their boats and themselves free of cost for the weekend and also David Sheridan’s duck as an Umpire boat. Lance Tyley anchored “Halcyon” close to the Course as a spectator boat and we thank him for his efforts.
On the Saturday morning our new Pacer sails provided by KI business’s were unveiled and we thank APT, Jamieson Marine, Aurora Ozone and Dudley Wines for their kind donations.
The Team Sailing Committee will be holding a Fund Raising Dinner on April 17 with an enthusiastic Sophie Turner (soon to be the Rear Commodore) in charge of the Menu.
Maggie Patterson
SE Regionals Regatta Manager
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