The 2019 Victorian Open State Team Racing Titles were held at Mornington Yacht Club on 11-12 May. The Open Team Racing States is a great event for many reasons. The format allows younger sailors to sail with older sailors who are often their coaches. It also involves short and sharp races which are just 7-8 minutes long with tactical battles that often see the lead change 5-6 times in a race.
On day 1, in a north westerly breeze of 12-18 knots, the race management team got in a full round robin of 55 races. As always, SSCBC was well represented on the water with Annie Philpot on the finish boat and John Philpot and Ben Fels as umpires, all of whom are essential in running a great regatta.
11 teams took part in the Championship, four of which were from SSCBC! Our teams were: SSCBC 1, Tess Lloyd’s Shadow, Future House Husbands and The Old Enemy.
The windier first day suited our SSCBC teams with The Old Enemy (10/10 wins) and Future House husbands (8/10 wins) ranked 1st and 2nd. Our other two teams learnt valuable lessons which they put in place on day 2.
Day 2, the format changed into a gold and silver league with the winners of silvers getting into a quarter final against 4th place of gold league. The Old Enemy went in as first ranked and Future House Husbands went into the semi-final against Team Pickle (Burrindi YC). Unfortunately, Future House Husbands were knocked out in the semis. The Old Enemy won their semi-final against Kettle’s Kryptonite (SYC) and would face Team Pickle in the final.
Unfortunately, Team Pickle’s boat speed out matched The Old Enemy in the lighter breeze and they lost 3-1. On a positive note, The Old Enemy did win Best Dressed for the day. However, there was one point where the tu-tu got caught in the mainsheet block. Interesting times!
A special well done to all our younger crews who took part in the event: Scarlet Silverwood, Elly Karthaus, Annabelle Williamson (winning crews/best dressed), James Williamson, Flora Critchley, Hunter Cunningham, Angelique Gleeson and Natalie Gleeson.
