ILCA 2025 Oceania & Australian Masters

Ian Tudball reports from Westernport Yacht Club (all photos by Ian):

There was an interesting grouping of fleets with 27 ILCA 7's sharing the same start with 6 ILCA 4's, followed by 39 ILCA 6 Grand Masters and Masters combined in the second group, and 41 ILCA 6 GGM's and Legends in the 3rd group.

The first day of racing was a wipe out with no wind and no racing for the 113 boat event.

Day 2 saw a complete reversal with a nasty off-shore breeze gusting 25+ knots to test the fleet with the added variable of a 2-knot tide. It was a tough day on the water and weary sailors were suitably rejuvenated at the Club that night with a top-flight jazz band and liquid refreshment.

Day 3 saw a few of the Legends electing not to sail as the wind was now onshore with steep rolling seas coming in from the ocean, and healthy gusts of 25 knots. But the challenge was there for the adventurous sailors and the downwind rides were exhilarating.

Day 4 was the final day, and the Club decided to run 3 races in a building 15 knot on-shore breeze. It was the perfect end to a brilliantly run regatta , and the 9 completed races allowed for 2 discards.

The winning sailors comfortably handled all conditions, but everyone agreed it was a tough regatta on the body, Some new faces appeared in the winners circle, and DBSC attire was worn with pride by our English recruit, Jon Emmet who won the Masters Division and did a wonderful interview on U YouTube at the end of each day’s racing. 

Western Port Yacht Club and Nick Ede ran a truly wonderful regatta, both on and off the water. Their Club members formed a big contingent of volunteers that involved manning boats and tractors, to dragging boats up the soft sand, and preparing food every day for hungry and thirsty competitors. A lot of planning had gone into the event, and every sailor appreciated what a great regatta it was.

DBSC was well represented. Tim Heath, Kerryn Smith, Scott Finlayson and Michael (never quit) Morris made their Nationals debuts with good performances. Rod Barnes, David Newman, and Martin White had outstanding performances, with Pat Levy always knocking on the door. Here are the final results:

Fleet 1 (ILCA 7 & ILCA 4):

Winners: ILCA 7 Master: M. Blakey & ILCA 7 Grand Master: Brett Beyer. ILCA 4: M. Lefevre.

ILCA 7 DBSC sailors: 6th o/a Rod Barnes (4th GM); 10th o/a Dave Newman (2nd Master); 21st o/a Tim Heath (11th GM)

Fleet 2 (ILCA 6 Masters & Grand Masters):

Winners: ILCA 6 Master: Jon Emmett & ILCA 6 Grand Master: B.Savage

DBSC ILCA 6 sailors: 24th o/a Kerryn Smith (18th GM); 25th o/a Scott Findlayson (19th GM);

Fleet 3 (ILCA 6 Great Grand Masters & Legends):

Winners: ILCA 6 GGM: J. Mitchell & ILCA 6 Legend: T.Alexander

DBSC ILCA 6 sailors: 5th o/a Martin White (5th GGM); 13th o/a Pat Levy (11th GGM); 23rd o/a Ian Tudball (18th GGM); 27th o/a Peter Heywood (8th Legend); 32nd o/a Michael Morris (21st GGM)

This event is a qualifier for the next Worlds in Italy in September.