ILCA Masters Worlds by Ian Tudball
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DBSC was represented by Martin White, Pat Levy and Ian Tudball in the ‘Great Grand Master’ (65-75yo) category.
The trio had all copped health issues just before departure, but Pat was king hit the worst, with a bout of Aussie food poisoning, just hours before take off. Martin nursed him for the marathon journey, as Pat trimmed his 82kg down to a more competitive racing weight. It took Pat 3 days to purge his system and crack a few ‘plumber jokes’.
The Royal Varuna Yacht Club was a stunning venue, and all 120 charter boats were brand new. Conditions were perfect for racing with consistent 12-15 knot breezes and rolling waves for downhill rides.
Race 1 was a disaster for the DBSC trio as they were all black flagged in a strong tide, along with 9 other boats in the fleet of 32. Race 2 was a big improvement with Martin coming back with a strong win. Pat was still recovering from his food poisoning, and it was not a happy day for him as he reported to his wife he was last overall. Sailing conditions were perfect, but the 4 knot tide did cause many boats to regularly overlay the windward mark
In race 3, a grumpy Pat finally cracked a smile as he finished 5th, and Martin crafted a 3rd place, while in race 4 Martin jagged a 5th, and with the drop race calculated, Martin was shaping up as a potential regatta winner. Pat was dogged with Irish bad luck, which he blamed on the French, but in true grit, in race 8 he returned to form with a 3rd.
On the lay day the boys went on a trip to the dinosaur park which was a 10/10 experience, and it was assumed the regular sea breezes would continue, but it wasn’t to be. Racing was cancelled on the 2nd last day due to lack of wind, with 3 races being scheduled for the last day in a very patchy wind.
In the final wrap, 10 races were sailed out of a possible 12, with a 1 race discard, and it was a fine overall win to Geoff Loosemore and a very consistent second by Lyndall Patterson. Martin White deserved his 4th overall place and a ‘cube’, as his regatta strategy was hampered by a black flag in race 1.
The host Club, race management and all the volunteers did a brilliant job, and it was a truly memorable regatta in a beautiful, friendly location.
Final results for the GGM fleet of 32 were :
1st. Geoff Lismore
2nd. Lyndall Patterson
3rd Steve Gunther
4th. Martin White
17th. Pat Levy
24th Ian Tudball
