The Eddie Cowell IOM Perpetual Regatta, conducted by Sunshine Coast Radio Sailing Club on the beautiful Lake Kawana is over for another year. After a week of very wet weather, Friday dawned clear and sunny with the Sunshine Coast living up to its name, & providing a glorious three days of RC yacht racing weather.
Friday morning saw a mirror lake & no wind, with sailing finally getting under way at 1100. Breeze from the NW finally settled in providing good racing for the day.
Geoff Oliver from WA was PRO for the regatta. This is the second year for Geoff and right from the get-go he had a problem of trying to lay a course with no evident wind until a zephyr of a breeze decided to grace us with its presence, gradually increasing but never getting above 5-8knts. Saturday’s course laying also provided headaches as the WNW breeze went more westerly late in the day, which resulted in racing finishing early. Sunday presented us with moderate/gusting wind from the SW and a decision to use Andrew R Wilson’s generous offer of buoybots was made. This enabled a course to be set without the need for so many course changes during the day and allowed a total of 15 races to be completed for the regatta.
The regatta had David Thomas & Andrew Croker(Red ANT) and Anne Walker trialing their Fleetboard system prior to the Worlds in October and with Andrew’s new start box it was full steam ahead. It has Roger Smiths, (start box operator), tick of approval- so much so the SCRSC will be purchasing 4 for their growing fleets.
There were 36 entries this year with 9 boats making the crossing from New Zealand to compete. Other entries from West Australia & New South Wales rounded out the entry list. Unfortunately, Bob Senior was ill on day one but elected to remain in the fleet and Trevor Shoebridge – who had suffered a stroke just weeks before – while not allowed to sail, came for the food!
As is usual with IOM regattas the competition was at times willing, intense and quite often brilliant. There were 15 races completed over the weekend and of these, there were many different race winners. The competition was also very close throughout with a great many of the competitors attesting to the difficulty of getting out of both ‘B’ and ‘C’ fleets. This year saw the boats getting onto the water for their heats is a more timely manner as marshalling between fleets was focused on by competitors and SCRSC volunteers.
SCRSC is continuing to strive for a high level of organisation by having a race committee dedicated to the running of the regatta and enjoyment for all. Adele Pearce was the Coordinator for a third year and ably assisted by a dedicated team of volunteers, from RO assistants, Boatmen, a back-up scoring team run by Gwen Warne and her team, car park marshal, start box operator, over night security for the venue, and a catering team which fed all over the three days with hamburgers, soup, and pasta. From the 17 volunteers over the three days, this group of outstanding people gave 49 sailing days. Suffice to say that without their help, this regatta and others would not get off the ground. Well done to all.
Congratulations must go to the eventual winner, Greg Torpy, who was remarkably consistent with his results and proved to be a deserving Champion. This said, it should be pointed out that the other place-getters, 2nd Rob Nelson NZ, and 3rd Paul Jones with Gary McCarthy taking out the Masters and Glen Fitzgerald the Grand Master, should also be congratulated for great sailing.
Some excellent video coverage is posted on the QRYA's You Tube channel which can be found at this link: https://www.youtube.com/@QldRadioYachting
SCRSC would like to congratulate all participants for their behaviour and friendship, which made this regatta stand out as one of the best to date. We wish those going on to compete at the IOM Worlds in Gladstone in October good luck and all the best.
SCRSC would like extend an open invitation to all IOM sailors for next years Eddie Cowell Regatta. We look forward to seeing you there.