Qld MG14 State Titles Report

Once again we made the trip to do the Qld States. We were the only NSW boat to attend now that Roger has gone. It was the best turn out I’ve ever seen in the past ten years or so. 12 MGs & 1 Sportskiff from as far away as Keppel Bay Nrth Qld. A testament to the promotional work done by Geoff Henry and the also the new Qld MG Skiff assoc. committee including Toni Keniwell & Godfrey Smith.

The event was sponsored by Ullman Sails Qld, they provided caps, tee shirts, and a full set of working sails as prizes.

Lake Cootharaba is an unpretentious venue with an excellent club operating right on Boreen Point. Sub tropical weather with morning and afternoon thunder storms played havoc with the breezes for the first three races. Light shifty and non existent at times. Easy access to launch the boats with grassy hill and afternoon shade. An excellent course and faultless start crew. Canteen between the races and BBQ aftewardsr with photos and videos on the screen. No motor boats or jet Skis, they prefer the Noosa River.

Race 1.

Just enough breeze to get a start from the NW. Only one lap before they shortened the course after an hour & 15 mins. Except for Okanui Tom Graham & Dave Carswell, the lead changed a few times as each group got becalmed. Okanui led all the way in their Sportskiff to win on Yardstick ahead of Nightmare on Helm Street, Peter & Veronica Lahey, then Viper Toni Keniwell & Godfrey Smith, Final Phase & Phase Ten Geoff Henry & Chris? in the MG division.

Race 2.

Abandoned just after the start with no wind. Everyone dived into the water to await the next race.

Race 3.

The wind swung to the NE enough to set a course before switching back to the NW just on start. Final Phase established a good lead but the whole fleet got becalmed before it came in solid from the NW. Windfire had a top race and was the fastest boat upwind. First four boats; Final Phase, Okanui, Nightmare on Helm Street, Viper & Wind Fire

Race 4.

Many boats were late to the start due to lack of enough wind to actually get to the start line. Viper was ready to start then Final Phase, Okanui & NMOHS. Final Phase started at the pin end as the breeze went from NE to NW, this proved decisive. First five boats; Final Phase, NMOHS, Viper, Okanui & Fireworks.

Race 5.

Finally the breeze kicks in from the NW, solid 15 knots. NMOHM & Final Phase are tied on 5 points, so it became a match race. Prawn Star finally arrived to sail the last race. Keegan Codd is now an amateur boxer and had spent the last week dieting to get down to 70kgs. He got to 71 kgs then had to sweat it out to make the weight. He did and won the bout. So what do you do after knocking your opponent out in first 20 secs ?? go sailin’ of course.

Final Phase got under NMOHS at the start, but NMOHS had a controlling cover at the pin end. Prawn Star and Viper cleared out. Fireworks and NMOHS sandwich Final Phase as they came into the top mark with Prawn Star already around. Positions remained unchanged for the first lap until the square run. Prawn Star lead from Okanui, Viper then Final Phase at the top mark. First two went right FP went left and NMOHS went down the middle. FP hit the lead at the bottom mark and held it for the next lap. On the second last reach FP dropped the kite to make the wing mark, it was fresh !!. Prawn Star & Viper gained ground. FP had to give buoy room at the bottom mark to a TS16, Prawn Star rounded right on the tail of FP. FP tacked away hooked into some good pressure and lifted to the finish. First five; Final Phase, Prawn Star, Viper, Okanui & NMOHS. handicap went to Fireworks.

Thanks to Geoff & Margaret Henry and all the Qldrs for their hospitality, to Godfrey Smith who allowed us to stay at his holiday house. Thanks to Ullman Sails for the new mainsail. A new Ullman jib went to Nrth Qld and the mainsail went south.

Next Qld States is scheduled for Keppel Bay, the Qld YA has invited the MG skiffs to compete in the youth regatta.

Greg Roche.