SSORC Seven Islands Race at Middle Harbour Yacht Club
by Di Pearson, MHYC 24 Nov 2012 08:02 GMT
24 November 2012
The fleet goes to windward during the SSORC Seven Islands Race © Andrea Francolini / MHYC
Rush gets the gun but veterans steal the show
Graham Coffey's well named Thompson 8, Rush, won Division 1 of Middle Harbour Yacht Club's Seven Islands Race around Sydney Harbour, but John Walker and Tig Thomas were undoubtedly the star attractions of the pursuit-style race that started of the Club today.
Aboard Rush was well-known ocean racing identity, Hugh Brodie and his 13 year-old son Alec, who called the wind and steered the last mile of the race and over the finish line, to get the gun well in front of nearest rival, Galan, the Jeanneau 409 of Mike Gallagher and third placed 2XCESS, Peter Woodhead's M30.
Sailed in a nice 1012 knot sea breeze, Hugh Brodie said the north-easterly maxed out at 12 knots, with gusts to 15 knots.
"We set a kite from Middle Head to Shark Island and across to Clark Island, then we two-sail reached to the Bridge and put a chute on again to Goat Island all the way to Long Nose Point, then put a chute up again," he said.
Once the 29 boat fleet was around Fort Denison aiming for home, it was hard on the nose to the finish.
"We had a great tussle with the M30," Brodie said, referring to third placed 2XCESS. "When we got around Shark Island, we took off though, and they didn't get past us again," he said.
This was the first time Brodie, and son Alec, who is an avid Optimist sailor, had sailed the Seven Island Race. "It was a great race – really enjoyable," Brodie said.
Warren Lesnie's In the Red took out Division 2 from John Walker's Impeccable and Mar Tromp's Waterborne Again, while Division 3 went to Andrew Parkes' Xeme from Another Dilemma (Jim Curtis) and Kestrel (Ken Krone).
At 90 and 85 respectively, John Walker and Tig (Gilbert) Thomas have other things apart from Middle Harbour Yacht Club, ocean racing trophies and yachting in common. Both still helm their own yachts, despite their years, and both have overcome harsh obstacles.
Walker, a veteran of 25 Sydney-Hobart races with his Peterson Three Quarter Tonner, Impeccable, survived a World War II German prisoner of war camp and immigrated to Australia.
Three months ago, the 90 year-old bounced back from a pneumonia and a subsequent heart attack, but has bounced back to his sprightly, cheeky self, telling a photographer "There will be an extra charge if you want me to pose... and more if you keep me waiting!"
Thomas, who has done duty as MHYC commodore an unusual two times, would put some 50's year olds to shame, is as nimble and agile as ever. "I've survived lymphoma among other things," he says matter-of-factly.
The two are shown no special favours on the race track either. Thomas was among the early starters today, but sailed with only two crew aboard his 33ft Carter design which would normally be sailed by six or seven people, so had to work doubly hard to keep pace with his opponents. He finished fifth overall. Walker left the starting blocks midway through the fleet and fully crewed, scored second place.
Held in conjunction with the Club's annual Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship, the Seven Islands Race featured 29 starters and is a chase taking the yachts to Shark and Clark Islands, on to Fort Denison, then under the bridge west to Goat, Cockatoo, Snapper and Spectacle Islands, before leaving Fort Denison to port on the way to the finish line back at Middle Harbour Yacht Club.
The top placegetters from today's race received gift vouchers supplied by Sydney City Marine at Rozelle, one of the most accessible places to take large and small power and sailing boats for repairs, refits and antifouling. One lucky sailor will also win a Tug Experience, courtesy of Sydney Ports, after going into a lucky draw.
Competitors kicked back to the Joyce Collins band and sausage sizzle at the MHYC's Sandbar this evening, swapping stories on the day's race.
All information on the Seven Islands Race at www.ssorc.mhyc.com.au