Coast sailors continue to make their mark as they compete in major international and national events.
In Porto Cervo, Italy, Noosa’s Jason Rowed is this week racing in the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup aboard Marcus Blackmore’s new Southern Wind 82, Ammonite.
The 26.8m yacht is in the Maxi Racer Cruiser division, which is one of seven divisions which are being contested by 49 big boats which range in size from the 18m Mini Maxi Racer through to a 49m Super Maxi.
06/09/16Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2016Porto Cervo, September 4 – 10© Carlo Baroncini Photography
Described as the “goliaths of the yachting”, they were held ashore on day one due to high winds and then battled blustery conditions on day two of the regatta. Ammonite started with a last place in their division, but still have the chance to move up the point score before racing finishes tomorrow.
Much closer to home, Mooloolaba’s Gary McCarthy, racing his 31-foot Margarita Pearl, finished the final northern winter regatta on Tuesday, the SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week, in third overall in the Cruising Spinnaker Division 3.
“We won all races across the line, but the handicapper slammed us which made it hard to hold onto a top place,” McCarthy said.
“I had a few local crew plus some from Townsville and Melbourne guys, so it was a bit of throw together team. They did really well to get a handle on the boat and sail it hard in the windy conditions of the last couple of days.”
On the Coast, Mooloolaba Yacht Club’s James Hodgson is celebrating receiving an invitation, as one of 10 inter-state clubs to be invited, to compete in Sydney in October in the Grade 3 2016 Australian Youth Match Racing Championship.
Next week’s QLD Match Racing Championship at Mooloolaba on the MYC Elliott 6s will give Hodgson a chance to identify the crew he will need to help him race in Sydney on the larger Elliott 7s.
Noosa’s Ryan Palk is recognised as a talented sailor. It appears his talents don’t stop there.
Mr Palk has been selected as one of the 16 men to appear in the Channel 10 show The Bachelorette which goes to air from September 21.
The former Australian Sailing Squad member recently changed direction, moving from the Laser class to Kiteboarding, with the expectation they will be included in the 2020 Olympic Games.
The articulate and talented sailing representative is certain to also shine in this new arena.
Windward – Sailing News
7 September 2016
By Tracey Johnstone
Credit – Carlo Borlenghi
