Victorian Trailable Championships

These were held at Geelong on the weekend of 14/15th February with 38 boats of various classes attending, split into three divisions: -.700 and below, above .700 and sports trailables. The biggest division was above .700 on CBH. Two Farr Association members were there; Rob Ballard in Cordon Bleu and Bob Reeves in Farr Affair.

The venue was excellent to have a race series, and it was classed as a wet series; which meant boats had to remain in the water all weekend. The race instructions suggested that the course could be either an Olympic course, or a windward and leeward mark course with gates.

Saturday promised 40 degree heat; with three heats of the championships to be run.

The first race was sailed in light conditions, up to 10 knots. Start at 1000 hours, and finish around 1200 hours. The second race was due to start at 1400 hours, and in millpond conditions we sat in the heat until 1615 when a little breeze came up. The wind was shifting everywhere, but a second race was achieved. Third race was postponed until the Sunday. Except for the first race, all courses were windward and leeward mark courses.

On Saturday evening there was a barbecue for all participants, but some elected to go to air-conditioned comfort elsewhere.

Sunday morning brought grey skies, with three heats, and everything to be over by 1300 hours. 0930 and no wind!! First race eventually started around 1030 hours, and was shortened to last around 40 minutes. Light conditions. Second race was sailed in 10 to 15 knots, and this lasted, for the Farrs, around 21 minutes; to the weather mark and back. The third race was sailed in a freshening breeze; up to 18 knots. We actually saw a Thompson 780 lying on its side. Pretty heavy stuff after a very calm weekend.

The series was well run by R.G.Y.C.; but we have come to expect that from Royal Geelong; Cordon Bleu beat Farr Affair in four out of five races, and Rob was ecstatic as he got the finish gun twice (and 1st and 2nd on CBH). On C.B.H. Cordon Bleu came 6th, and Farr Affair 7th out of 9 boats, and on personal handicap, Farr Affair came 4th and Cordon Bleu 5th.

Bob Reeves and Rob Ballard being presented with their trophies by President Ron