2000 Australian Tasar Championships
Saturday, January 8
As unseasonable rain showers cleared, competitors congregated at
the Point Wolstonsroft Sport and Recreation Camp, on Lake
Macquarie, for Tasar 2000. From Northern Territory, Queensland,
South Australia, Victoria and the ACT, as well as the home state,
the competitors, families and friends moved-in to the Camp's
cabins, registered in the mess hall and rigged on the grass covered
banks of the lake. A total of 45 boats had entered the
championship, fewer than anticipated, but including a mixture of
top-class and other levels of experience.
As President of the host state association, Chris Parkinson led
the opening brief. He introduced Ken Bolton as the Principal Race
Officer, the team from Speers Point SC who were to run the rescue
boats and, most importantly, the social coordinator, Sue
Darby.
After lunch rigging preparations were completed and the boats
launched for the invitation race. The sun shone and, combined with
a variable SE breeze of between 10 and 15 knots ensured pleasant
and interesting conditions. Unusually for Tasars, the fleet started
correctly first time, with no recalls. As with all the beats, crews
needed to gauge the extent and duration of the near continuously
shifting breeze whilst keeping their boats flat and fast.
As the race progressed all the states and territories represented
at the Championship were represented at or near the front of the
fleet. Early leaders from Victoria were Wayne Hale and Tony White
(2718) closely followed by current International and National
champions from NT, Ben Nicholas and Tom Winters (2674). The ACT's
Martin Linsley and Nick Grey (2604) were close behind, followed by
NSW's Phil Darby and Ben Howe (170), South Australia's Craig Mcphee
and then Victoria's Dave and Doris Bretherton. With little
difference in the boat speed of this group, picking of shifts on
the beats determined place changes and positions. At the finish
Craig/Tony crossed the line just in front of the Brethertons, with
Wayne/Tony third.
Sunday, January 9
A lighter wind from the same SE direction prevailed for the first
race of the Championship, and it both oscillated in direction and
varied in strength. The course was a long one, perfectly set, with
the race lasting just over two hours.
The conditions were such that cunning and experience overcame
youth and exuberance. Phil Darby and Ben picked a shift in the
final countdown and made the perfect pin-end start. They were never
to be headed. Close behind them Hale, Linsley and Nicholas were in
contention, but it was Rob and Nicole Douglass who steadily passed
the three of them to present the major challenge for the lead
during the last two laps. Behind them, a penalty caused Nicholas to
fall back. Hale was passed by Linsley, who then began to close on
the leaders. At the front Douglass's efforts to break the close
cover imposed by Darby slowed them both, such that Linsley almost
took the lead. But Darby held on to win by seconds from Douglass,
with Linsley third and Nicholas fourth. Frank Bethwaite and Sophie
Callander won the silver division with their 18th placing. (Gold
and Silver Divisions were determined by the results of the first
four races.)
One of the pleasant features of the regatta was the company of
visitors who came to renew old friendships at the Championship.
Thus it was good to see Peter Caldwell, John Hibberd, Mark
Bromelow, Darren Bolton, Allen Downs and Phil Thomson (who also
served well as chairman of the protest committee).
On the Sunday evening a crew versus skipper cricket match was
played on the Camp tennis courts. The competition was at least as
intense as that on the water. For the crews Tom Winter proved a
dynamic bowler, while Richard Furneaux's wicket keeping was
spectacular for the skippers. The crews were declared victorious,
but as the umpire (Phil Crome) was one, the result could be subject
to protest!
Monday, January 10
The day's organised activities began with a mini-Olympics for
which sailors were grouped by club background into six teams.
Following a couple of events involving balloons, locomotion and
dummy spitting the major event involved a tug-of-war eventually won
by a miscellaneous/mixed lot.
In the afternoon the variable SE breeze was back as before with an
average strength of 9-10kts. Three short races were held, each with
a windward-return, triangle, windward-return course. With shorter
legs, the starts proved all important, and with the oscillating
wind, picking the favored end the key element. In the first two
races Nicholas and Linsley clearly made the correct choices for
they were first and second respectively at the first mark and they
held those positions through to the finish. Behind them some boats
sailed through the finish line prematurely, leading to their
disqualification. Third in the first race was Lachlan Brown and
Trish Collacott (2619), and in the second race Ian and Lyndell
Shand (1843) won the position. In the silver division Graham and
Nicole Hannah (2583) finishing16th for the first race honours, with
Ray Hale and Sean Hackett (1929) finishing16th for second race
success.
The start of the third race of the day brought change to the front
of the fleet. Mcphee waited at the pin-end for a hole in the line
of starboard tackers and then started on port tack. The tactic
worked, for at the first mark he held a small lead from Hale and
Linsley, with 'the pack' not far behind. Then followed some close
and thoughtful racing, with the leading positions never safe from
attack by competitors or the variability of the breeze. Around the
last mark Hale was just centimeters from Mcphee's transom, but the
South Australian's covered closely on the short work to the finish
to claim their first win. Nicholas overtook Linsley in the final
meters of the race to finish third, but when it was announced that
he was OCS at the start, and Hale had crossed the finish line
prematurely, Linsley was awarded second place and the Douglass'
third. Silver division winners were Derek Hadwen and David Hardy
(2588).
Being the 'champagne class', after each race competitors gathered
with glasses to drink the wine and taste some cheese. At this time
the all important sponsors responsible for the success of the
Championship were repeatedly hailed as mini prizes were awarded on
the results of a barrel-draw. Health Care of Australia, the
principal sponsor, featured prominently, but the NRMA, Ronstan and
Goodgear Clothing also earned the appreciation of the competitors,
organizers, families and friends.
On the Monday evening a meeting of people interested in sailing in
the 2001 Tasar International Championship in Whitstable was chaired
by Ian Guanaria. Fourty-four individuals representing approximately
26 boats attended, boding well for a strong Australian
representation. The meeting's purpose of starting a list for
communication purposes was achieved. Others interested in being
added to that list should contact Ian (
guanaria@ozemail.com.au
).
Tuesday, January 11
The long race on Tuesday morning (Race 5) was sailed in slightly
stronger breezes, averaging 14 kts, and still in the same SE
direction. The fleet started on the first attempt, although a
pin-end bias caused problems that resulted in an OCS. The first
beat was tricky to pick, but by hitting the left-hand corner Peter
Hibberd and Nicole Kidman reached the windward mark with a lead
that they held for the first triangle. On the second lap Nicholas
took the lead, with Linsley just behind. The Darwin boys maintained
that position throughout, but towards the end of the race Linsley
was overtaken first by Mcphee, then by Darby and Douglass. Darby
and Douglass had a keen duel up the final leg, with Darby
holding-on for third place. Many red flags were displayed during
the race but resulted in just one completed protest. In the Silver
division the Hannas won again.
That afternoon Draytons, a Hunter Valley winery, presented a
tasting of their approximately thirteen different white, red and
fortified products. For Luke Owen the occasion was particularly
special, as he celebrated his eighteenth birthday, with more than a
little help from his pals.
Wednesday, January 12
Stronger winds, still from the SE, faced competitors for the two
short races on Wednesday afternoon. They allowed the leading bunch
to sail clear of the rest of the fleet, and resulted in a different
pair of winners. During the first race, breezes of between 18-22
kts favored both the heavier crews and those experienced in such
conditions. Mcphee and Hale were both quick, and the Brethertons
made steady gains through the group. The finishing order was
Mcphee, Nicholas and Bretherton in the Gold Division, with Hadwen
beating Ray Hale and Sean Hackett (1929) in the Silver.
For the second race the average wind strength reduced by a couple
of knots. In the final minute before the start of the second race
the wind oscillated to the East, making the pin end difficult to
fetch. Darby spotted the change early, ensuring what would have
been a perfect start had his mainsheet not run free on the
all-important tack onto port. By the first mark the 'Darwin boys'
had the lead, but only just from Mcphee and Linsley. On the run the
fleet closed, so that racing was close on the subsequent beat.
Linsley caught the best shifts and opened a good lead at the
windward mark. Thereafter he was challenged by Nicholas and the
Brethertons, but held on to take his first win of the series, with
Nicholas beating the Victorians for second place. The drama was not
limited to the water though, for that evening a protest hearing
took place between Mcphee and Nicholas, with the latter being
disqualified. Silver Division winner was, for the third time,
Hadwen, with a strong 9th place.
At least equally dramatic was the evening's "T" Night social, for
which appropriate fancy dress was desired. The imagination and
ingenuity displayed was commendable, with star efforts from the
Howe family's 'T'itanic theme (complete with iceberg), the 'T'hree
Musketeers, a mini-'T'arantula and a simple but effective pair of
'T'est...les!
Thursday, January 13
Two more short races were sailed on the regatta's penultimate day,
with the wind remaining in the SE around 14-18 kts. A big shift to
the left of the course again favored those that started at the pin
end of the line. Nicholas rounded the windward mark first, with
Linsley close behind. The downwind leg closed the fleet, and on the
second windward leg the leaders remained close. Around the top mark
Nicholas led narrowly from Mcphee and Linsley. Mcphee overtook to
leeward and Linsley to weather, and the two then opened a large
lead before finishing in that order. However, both Linsley and
Nicholas were OCS at the start, so the final finishing result was
Mcphee, Hale and Darby, with Hadwen winning the Silver
Division.
The day's second race started cleanly, with Darby picking the
shifts to establish a lead which was never to be seriously
challenged. Behind him some of the proven boats had to battle their
way through the fleet, but Hale did just that to take second place,
as did Nicholas to finish third. Within the Silver Division Frank
Bethwaite sailed well to finish 15th overall and almost win, but
was narrowly beaten by the Hannas, who were 12th.
With one race to sail Australia was to have a new Tasar champion.
Ben Nicholas and Tom Winter's three penalties had effectively taken
them from contention. Consistent results at the top of the fleet
meant that Craig Mcphee and Kevin Kellow could not be beaten. A
significant contest was still to be had for second place, with
Darby and Linsley on equal points, seven clear of - but not
unbeatable by Hale. At the top of the Silver Division Hadwen was
holding a just two points clear of Hanna, and so another
interesting encounter was imminent.
An auction of sponsor's gifts was held that evening, well
sustained by copious amounts of port and chocolate. A splendidly
attired Richard Furneaux of Wannabees (substituting for
Southeby's), ably assisted by glamorous gals Emily and Samantha,
auctioned a new jib (thanks to Starboard Products) and other sails,
a weekend houseboat charter (thanks to Luxury Afloat) and numerous
other bits and pieces (thanks to Ace Trailers, Fred Williams Water
Sports, Ford Communications and Rafferty's Resort. It was
entertaining, fun, and rewarding!
Friday, January 14
More SE winds of between 10-14 kts and more oscillations faced the
fleet for the last race of the series. On the first leg a rain
squall drenched the fleet and favored boats that had chosen the
right-hand side of the course. Nicholas rounded first, in front of
Andrew Parkinson and Bronwyn Milgate (2133), and Hale. The
following reaches were long, and the offshore gusts enabled places
to be gained or lost. Darby was in what seemed a safe fourth
position, but Linsley caught-up by the end of the run, and then
passed him going up-wind. Racing at the front of the fleet was
intense, with opportunities/threats continually arising in the
variable conditions. But time was running-out, so that the race was
shortened to miss the final run/beat. Hale won, with Nicholas
second, Brown third and Linsley fourth. Victors of the Silver
Division were Andrew Parkinson and Bronwyn Milgate (2133), who
finished in eleventh place.
The Championship prize-giving was held at Rafferty's, a luxury
resort on the east side of the lake. The food was splendid, and the
formal activities, ably conducted under the guidance of Richard Day
took place with heaps of good-humored crowd involvement.
All the many individuals and sponsors that contributed to the
success of the event were given the praise and appreciation
sincerely felt by the whole group. Above all, the work of Chris and
Beryl Parkinson - as chief coordinators, organisers and also
competitors - was applauded and honored.
The winners of Tasar 2000, the first Australian Tasar Championship
of the new millenium are as follows:
Prize Winners
Juniors Skipper 'Scrooge U 2', Damian Gough Luke Owen (12th),
NT
Lady Skipper 'Screaming Green Lizards', Helen Gannan & Hugh
Bekkers (23rd), QLD/NT
Grand Masters 2581, 'Afternoon Delight', Ian Guanaria & Trish
McVeagh, (9th),NSW
Masters 2608, 'True Blue, Rob & Pam Gilpin, (13rd), VIC
Silver Fleet
1st, 2583, 'Shaken Not Stirred'Graham & Nicole Hanna (19th),
NSW
2nd, 2588, 'One Crowded Hour', Derek Hadwen & David Hardy
(20th), NSW
3rd, 1929, 'Ace 2', Ray Hale & Sean Hackett, (22nd),
VIC/SA
Australian Championship 2000
1st, 2666, 'More Small Things', Craig Mcphee & Kevin Kellow
(SA)
2nd, 2604, 'Coco', Martin Linsley & Nick Grey, (Aus Def
Fce)
3rd, 170, 'Ultralite', Phil Darby & Ben Howe, (NSW)
Thus ended Tasar 2000. Competitors packed their gear thinking,
perhaps, of their next major championships: the nationals in Darwin
(8-15 Jul 00), the next World Championship in Whitstable (July 01)
or possibly the 01-02 nationals in South Australia. Not only was
the sailing excellent, but the company and social interaction was
superb. In all, a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable regatta.
Martin Linsley