Metropolitan Championship at Lane Cove 12′ SSC

James Burman HHSC on his way to a convincing win in the Standard Rig

Lane Cove 12ft Sailing Skiff Club hosted the Metropolitan Championship on March 8 and 9 with 67 sailors entered.
The weekend’s racing started on Saturday with the Lane Cove Club running the Dash for Cash from the club-house in the Lane Cover River to the main race area near Clarkes Point Woolwich.  Winners were Jordan Makin in the 4.7, Shane Conly 1st in the radials (and 2nd overall), James Burman in the standard rigs. Full results of the dash for cash are here.

RO Col Chidgey ably supported by the large team from Lane Cove Sailing 12′ SSC had some work to do as the wind clocked right then left. They had the added challenge of fitting the standard Laser trapazoidal course into the relatively confined space between Long Nose Point Birchgrove and Cockatoo Island and as far as possible away from the ferry and power boat lanes.
Six races were conducted over the two days, challenging the sailors in the variable and shifty moderate winds.  On Sunday the boats were held on shore until 12.30 until the sea-breeze had worked its way up the river.  To ensure each fleet sailed 6 races, Col Chidgey started the last race of the Standard rigs under black flag, with 5 seconds to spare before the 3.30 race start cutoff.

In the Metro Series the easy winner in the Standard Rig was James Burman who won all but one of the six races. Second was Sean Feeney from MHASC and thrid William Dargaville from MHASC and RPAYC.

The Radials was a shoot out between Double Bay sailors Finn Alexander and Dennis Kuhlmann. They each posted two wins however Finn was a tad more constent and finished three points ahead of Dennis. Third was Ashely Stoddart from Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron.

In the 4.7′s Jordan Makin from Gosford Sailing Club posted four wins to take the title follwed by Marlena Berzins from Double Bay and Great Grand Master David Adams from Dobroyd Aquatic Club. David despite his not so tender years sails a Mac 2 foiling moth when he is not Lasering so probaly found the going at the Metros rather tame. The full results of the event are here.

You can see some photos of the action on Sunday here

Corinna Hartas took some more action shots including the foiling Laser which you can see here.

Thanks must go to the Lane Cove 12′ SSC and its army of on and off the water helpers. These folks looked after sailors before during and after racing. The Club also donated the “Dash for Cash” prizes and arranged for donations of door prizes from MonkeyFist.com.au and a Laser sail donated by NB SailSports which was a door prize at the presentation. Thanks to those generous sponsors.