2021 Three Clubs Couta Boat Regatta - SSCBC - Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club

With a busy weekend at SSCBC, the Victorian Laser Championship fleet was kept ashore with virtually no wind off the Clubhouse. SSCBC Race Officer (RO) Sally Law took the Three Clubs Couta Boat fleet down to Portsea and found a NNE whisper of a breeze, or should I say Zephyr, along the Portsea coastline. The three Clubs are: Athenaeum Club, Melbourne Club and The Australian Club.

Race Officer Sally set a course off Point Franklin, with the first windward mark being left to starboard (right). The following flood tide would certainly kept the fleet moving in the right direction. The breeze remained fickle for the duration of the race and the position of the competitors changed constantly. The ensuing windward legs took the fleet along the Sorrento Channel, leaving all red channel markers to port (left). As the breeze continued to lighten, serious concerns were raised about making it back to the Clubhouse in time for lunch! It was a distressing time for all concerned. The Race Officer and her team was up to the task and made the correct decision to shorten the course and set up a Finish Line at the No. 6 Channel Marker. As the fleet approached the finish line, the fast flooding tide proved to be a significant challenge for the fleet trying to stay between the finish boat and the No. 6. Those that stayed off-shore in the deeper water, used the fast flowing flood to their advantage, leading to a nail biting finish over the line.

With almost 150 members and guests on the water in Couta Boats (88 members) and wooden cruisers (59 family and friends) it was a spectacle enjoyed by all. A sumptuous lunch and preparation followed in the SSCBC Clubhouse. The weather was the star on the day, perfect conditions for shaking off those post lockdown blues!

The Three Clubs Scoring System