Monsoon Regatta at the Ceylon Motor Yacht Club

Racing during the GP14 Shackle Trophy at the Ceylon Motor Yacht Club © Steve Giffin

Racing during the GP14 Shackle Trophy at the Ceylon Motor Yacht Club © Steve Giffin

Prize winners from the GP14 Shackle Trophy at the Ceylon Motor Yacht Club © Steve Giffin

The Ceylon Motor Yacht Club 2009 Monsoon Regatta of the, held on the 30th and 31st May on Bolgoda Lake, Sri Lanka, turned out to be one of the most enjoyable weekends at the start of the Clubs sailing calendar for 2009, not only for the sailors but also the members of the Ceylon Sea Anglers Club Sea Anglers Club who were invited to participate in a fishing competition organized by our keen Sailor and Angler Ralph Karpinski. About 45 anglers set out on Saturday afternoon and returned to the club house by 6 pm, when the catches of the day were weighed, amidst many “oooohs” and “aaaahs” and stories of the “ones that got away “. A delighted young man whose height was not much more than the length of the fish he caught caught, a freshwater Barramundi, weighing in at just over 21lbs!

The CMYC Club Championship - Shackle Trophy saw 16 - GP 14 s on the start line with five races sailed over two days in a good 15-20 kn (force 4-5) wind. Despite the turbulent weather there were very few capsizes, and much credit must go to the “unsung heroes” the lady crews, whose skill and agility helped their helmsmen around the course, stay out of the water, and cross the finish line with dignity. Well done ladies they couldn’t have done it without you!

On Saturday with the gusty and shifting winds rolling across the lake, the favoured end of the line changed throughout the day. Getting around the course for some was a matter of pain management (hiking out) for speed and height. The triangular course provided a small advantage to the people willing to fly the spinnakers with some good short periods of planing.

Despite aching bodies, blistered fingers and bruised egos, a splendid time was had by everyone at the Monsoon Bash Party on Saturday evening organized by the CMYC Ladies team of Dolly, Beverley and Pranitha. Congratulations to them and their assistants for the striking decor, great buffet and music for dancing. Although unable to be present, Joseph Kenny very generously provided the evening’s special cocktails, complete with bartenders.

Although the keen sailors drifted home fairly early for a good night’s rest in preparation for two more races the following day, the party went on till well past the witching hour.

Sunday saw similar winds with the Committee boat end being the slightly favoured end of the starting line. There was no let up of pain in the sailors legs as the Race Committee decided lengthen the legs and to add and extra lap to the course.

At the end of the day Anil and Michelle once again displayed their terrific team work and skills against some stiff competition, to win the 2009 Shackle Trophy, and emphasized the fact that it requires more “brains than brawn” to win races even when the wind got up.

A young gentleman, Graham Fraser, ably crewed by Jeremy Bolling, whose Officer of the Day duties were taken over by the Fleet Captain, Pam Pieris, won the Overall Handicap prize.

Overall Results: