The Augusta Yacht Club takes on the Southern Ocean | Photos
For the first time ever sailors from the Augusta Yacht Club took on the mighty Southern Ocean and sailed on Flinders Bay on Sunday, March 18.
The event was the brainchild of member Ray Wakelin – and with a huge community effort – the race took 18 months to plan and involved support from the Augusta Sea Rescue group.
It was an event filled day, spectators on-board the start boat Mahout threw in a fishing line only to hook a gummy shark.
They were joined by spectators on-board the Black Swan, which was Australia 11’s support boat in the 1983 America Cups in Newport USA.
The monohull fleet missed the inaugural race due to a big swell breaking at the river mouth which proved too dangerous to cross.
This left seven windrush 14s to battle the wild Southern Ocean but Huey had other plans, little breeze before the first race saw sailors struggle to reach the start line from Dead Finish.
Race organisers delayed the start until the breeze picked up, giving the seven catamarans enough power to charge through the start line in the yacht club’s first race on Flinders Bay.
Herman Gerritsen sailing on Frisky claimed bragging rights and was first to cross the finish line in the inaugural race taking first place on yardstick.
He was followed by Mal Buzza sailing Buzz Box and Maddie and Ian Stephens sailing Willy Willy finishing in third place.
The breeze picked up for the second race making it more exciting for the catamaran sailors which saw Mal Buzza finish in first place, followed by Jeffrey Casellas sailing Catflap in second place and Rick Edwards and Leanne Jones sailing Pirate finished in third.
The club hopes to make the Flinders Bay race an annual event.
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Margaret River Mail
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