Last Saturday 15th saw our 5th SoPYC S80 Club Series race conducted. We had just Don’t Panic!! (Mat Selby) and Shadowfax (Mark Goding) from SoPYC, with four other boats from RP joining us for the S80 Association consistency race. Fair Game (Sue Game) should have been there but got lost between the pen and the start line in the light breeze! At stake the all important bottle of S80 wine – thanks to sponsor Sue Game and Chicas Cattery: Perth’s 5Star holiday home for cats.

A very light and patchy breeze saw a need to AP the start with RP boats given a helping tow to get to the start area. We eventually got under way in a drifting start with no clear sign which way was the best. Fusion (Christian Christiansen) made the best of the slow start but choose to go left and got completely buried, after the rest tacked right looking for some pressure which eventually showed up.

Don't Panic led at Hallmark with the rest of the fleet close (minus Fusion in left-right out). With good reads in fluky wind Shadowfax slipped through and around Armstrong, with a sea-breeze now building. Plenty of kite reaching followed as the fleet then zig zagged across the river multiple times, before finally heading around Outer Start buoy. The fleet were close with Shadowfax still leading from Rum Runner (John Ghul) in second, and Don't Panic, Sweet Babs (Dave Beresford) and Fusion in a bunch.

The last loop back up and around Dolphin West saw everything close up under kite. Rum Runner were seen to be practicing their gybe sets and unfortunately it didn’t go that well! Around Addison and a beat to the finish saw Shadowfax maintain its lead to win, with Don’t Panic!! finishing a close second and Fusion (yes a Lazarus like comeback!) taking third place. Another great S80 race on the river.

S80 Opportunities
Alchemy has just been re-purchased with the help of the S80 Association and Nina Conti is the new owner. Nina has been helming Grand Piano as part of our racing/coaching program under the guidance of Tony Strickland. Nina is keen to get Alchemy out racing and it will be great to see it back with our fleet soon.

For those wanting the challenge of close one design keelboat racing we have some different and terrific S80 boat opportunities available for any keen sailors at SoPYC, including Glasgow Kiss (second in last year’s S80 State Titles) has a 1/3rd share available.

We are also actively looking at other boat opportunities for sailors to join our fleet. If you are interested in owning an S80 or just sailing in the fleet get in contact: Mark Gooding 0419 921 095 or [email protected]