State Masters South Lake Macquarie ASC 1-2 February

The State Masters at South Lake Macquarie ASC was a great event enjoyed by 107 sailors. The weather was great for Masters ILCA sailing with 12-13 knots of generally easterly breezes on both days 1st and 2nd February. Considering the mix ordinary and ornery weather we have been getting this was a blessing. There were plenty of wind shifts across the inner and outer tracks of the course but as always the best sailors managed to find the right way to go.

The event was run with three fleets one ILCA 7 fleet (36 boats), an ILCA 6 “young” fleet with Apprentice, Master and GMs (43 boats) and an ILCA 6 “senior” fleet with GGM and Legends (28 boats).

Under RO Andrew McLachlan’s experienced management and great support from the SLMASC race management team all six scheduled races were completed expeditiously give or take some time for re-orientation of the course on day two as the wind oscillated.

There was a great roll up of NSW sailors in particular 29 from DBSC. The club is highly organised even coming with their own coach and on water support by Zander Bijkerk. There were nine sailors who travelled up from Victoria.

Brett Beyer WSC convincingly won in the ILCA 7 fleet posting a 1,1,2,1,1 and dropping a 6. Matthew Faddy VYC was second and James Tudball third . Brett was first GM and James first Apprentice Master. Chip off the old block Tom Lowndes VYC was fourth and first Master. Leading GGM was strong class enthusiast and supporter Steve Gunther from Royal Brighton YC.

The ILCA 6 “young” fleet was lead convincingly by Bruce Savage MHASC posting 2,1,1,2,3,1. Bruce was first GM. Fellow GM David Early GRSC was second and first Apprentice and first woman cube winner was Vai Ripley. Vai was Samoa’s 2024 Olympic sailor and currently sails at MHASC/WSC. Master cube winner and 4th in the fleet was Scott Hunter DBSC. Second place women’s cube went to top Master Kate McHugh DBSC in a close tussle with Justine Gowland-Ella GSC who won the GMs.

The ILCA 6 “senior” fleet saw a close tussle at the top with Royal Brighton YC sailors Michael O’Brien the fleet and GGM winner on a countback from Jeff Loosemore MHASC. Rick Longbottom CYC/RANSA/GRSC was close in third with a late run first and second in the final two races. Legend cube winner was pocket dynamo Peter Heywood DBSC/BSC/B16. To win the Legends Peter had to finish ahead of 2024 World Masters Legend 2nd and 3rd placed Tim Alexander NSC and Rob Lowndes MHASC.

Thanks to South Lakes ASC and its fabulous volunteers who did a great job on the water and in and around the club. This is a first class venue with lots of parking, rigging space close to the uncrowded Lake Macquarie.

The full results of the event are Here.