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NEXT BIG EVENT
Geelong Race Week
Geelong
24-26 January 2010
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2009 Elliot 7 NSW State Championship
Angus Reid, Monday, 2 November 2009Mitchell Sails too good for the classy fleet of 9 E7s
Toronto, Lake Maquarie – 11 October 2009. Competitors at the 2009 Elliot 7 NSW State Championship arrived with the expectation of some good breeze however the regatta was destined to be a reasonably light weather affair. Nine Elliott 7s made the trip with three making the long journey from Queensland.
The current Australian Champions, Walter Turnbull, were significant by their absence giving the opportunity for another boat to take the championship.
The first race was an interesting course in a very shifty breeze. One lap of a 300 metre course really meant the winner of the start won the race. Nervous took advantage of a blinding start to take the bullet with Mitchell Sails a close second.
Justin Mitchell helming Mitchell Sails then dominated the number one position for the rest of the regatta to take the Championship undisputed. Angus Reid and the Humungus crew looked to threaten early on with a couple of second places but poor results on Sunday put paid to their effort. One point then separated Humungus in second from Aaron Terrey on P Plater third and Matt Bonser on Nervous in fourth.
One point then separated Woof in 5th, Formula Pye and Danger Zone. Omen and Need for Speed were never too far behind, Ken Mitchell indicating the handicapping was very close with Formula Pye taking the Handicap honours from Danger Zone on countback.
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Danger Zone revelled in the light breezes
Photograph:Alistair Kelsall
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Results from Sportsboat Sunday
Alistair Kelsall, Queensland, Monday, 14 September 2009Elliott 7's dominate the Sportsboat scene The Queensland Elliott 7 Fleet participate in the Bi Annual Sports Boat Sunday event held by Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron and sailed on Moreton Bay.
6 E7s turned out for the day along with another 8 sports boats of various classes, the winds were 10 knots coming in from the North East. A beautiful day out on the bay and perfect racing conditions. The racing is sailed as one fleet with a separate division for the Elliotts.
It was great to see one of the new boats out there with Andrew Holden overcrowding his Elliott 7 Omen with 6 onboard while old skippers like Andrew Barney had to sit on the side lines and watch from the shore as his wife Carmen traded places for the day after having his body parts snipped making sitting on the side of a boat slightly uncomfortable!
The racing was very close with a number of lead changes during each race, Danger Zone performed well in the light winds to record 2 wins and a second. Carmen on Barney Army had 1 win and 2 seconds and sailed very well for second place and Need for Speed with John Holmes came in third. A big well done to those guys.
Great to see the fleet growing with some very good quality boats and crews. Danger zone also took out first place on SMS so that just goes to show those people with their fancy one off sportsboats how good the Elliott 7 really is.
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Series Results [Elliott 7] up to Race 3 (Drops = 0)
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Place
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Ties
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Sail No
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Boat Name
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Skipper
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From
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Sers Score
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Race 3
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Race 2
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Race 1
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1
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554
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Danger Zone
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Alistair Kelsall
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WMSC
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4.00
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1.00
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1.00
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2.00
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2
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13
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Barney Army
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Carmen Barney
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WMSC
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5.00
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2.00
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2.00
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1.00
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3
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727
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Need for Speed
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John Holmes
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WMSC
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11.00
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4.00
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3.00
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4.00
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4
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29
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Full Frontal
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Ted Ball
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RQYS
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12.00
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5.00
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4.00
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3.00
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5
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46
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Omen
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Andrew Holden
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RQYS
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13.00
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3.00
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5.00
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5.00
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6
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49
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Steeple Jack
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Peter Quinn
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RQYS
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18.00
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6.00
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6.00
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6.00
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Tight Racing |
Omen with a full crew |
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Barney Army hard at work
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Pillow makes it 4 in a row
Jim Walsh, Friday, 17 April 2009WalterTurnbull too good for the biggest fleet in years The strongest fleet ever contested the National Elliott 7 titles, which were extremely well conducted by WMYC and the Queensland fleet led by Andrew Barney. Whilst the 20 knot SE trade winds, that were promised never arrived, the fleet had challenging conditions with some races allowing the crew to set kites at every mark.
The first day saw a 10 knot SE breeze with several recalls as the fleet were eager to get away. WalterTurnbull started with two wins with a Humungus, Formula Pye, Evergreen and Barney Army filling the minor places, A glimmer of hope for the others in the third race when Mitchell Sails took out first with Woof second and WalterTurnbull third.
The second day had a windward/leeward race in the morning with the unsettled breeze dying, swinging, raining, dying and swinging again. However despite this, WalterTurnbull still managed to sail away from the fleet to win by a very large margin. Escapade dragged themselves out of the gloom to come second with Mitchell Sails third.
The fleet then headed off on a passage race around Peel Island; the unsettled breeze had boats on either side of the course leading at some stage. It finally settled into the SE and with the outgoing tide the boats pushed the edge tacking around the island.
Evergreen pushed that little bit more than most . 'I stood up to tack and the next thing I know was 'bang' and I’m head first down the companion way hatch ... I can see why the locals have depth sounders' said Greenie (Mike Green).
The fleet then headed back up the bay with the committee wisely deciding to shorten the course. WalterTurnbull took line honours with Barney Army, continuing their great regatta, second and Evergreen recovering from their incident to come in third. That night the crews headed for a most entertaining evening at the Manly hotel decked out in their Johnny Walker hats.
The final day started with a sunny light 10 knot Easterly. This was the closest racing of the series with the boats rounding the bottom mark 3 or 4 wide. WalterTurnbull sealed their series with a win in the first race with Evergreen and Barney Army battling out for the remaining podium places. Spectating on the last race Owen said 'It was great fun to see 10 boats coming into the bottom mark at the same time, there seemed to be a lot of conversation going on, however this is the closest the fleet has been in years.' Owen continued 'What is more encouraging is the boats that finished third and fourth were the original boats bought to Australia, all they need is a good set of sails and a good crew and they are right up there'
Second placegetter Mike Green said 'Its hard when we get to sail occasionally against boats that are out every week, despite this Pillow is the benchmark we need to reach.'
Andrew Barney commented 'We are stoked in getting third, it is amazing what a set of new sails did to the old girl and my crew sailed extremely well.'
The presentation followed with every boat walking away with a prize of some sort and agreement to hold the Nationals there the next year. The class held a dinner during which an auction was held to raise money for the foundation supported by the class - Benny’s World, www.bennysworld.com. With hats donated by Angus Reid, the auction raised over $500 for research.
The next event on the Calender is the Bay to Bay with a fleet of 10-12 Elliott’s lining up again. There is hope that the fleet will hit 20 for the next National titles.
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