Thank goodness we stuck to our plans! The 60th Power Yacht Opening Day, was celebrated with usual traditional and ceremony with only minor Covid restrictions. VC Michael Cook welcomed guests in from the lawn who had enjoyed refreshments and delicious tempting platters served by staff. The Tradition Noongar Welcome to Country in language by Maree Taylor is a delight to hear. A brief first and last Power Yacht Opening Day address by our Commodore followed by Guest Speaker, Peter Melsom. Pete has only recently retired from competition after selling his beloved Bertie 35, Audacity II. Now aged 90 years young, Pete delighted his audience with stories and recollections and paying respect to our Time Trialling legends and champions, some sadly retired from the sport or passed away.
VIPS headed out to the Host boats for more refreshments and watch the Sail Past, which featured close to 30 boats including 2 yachts, mostly dressed for judging. The standout for the judges were Claude and Liz Mancini’s Aperitivo with the Minecraft theme the grand kids had chosen and Darryl and May’s effort with the traditional and not so traditional flags and bunting covering Out on Business. Very clever, the 399.999999 yellow number stretched along the gunwale on Thanet referring to just how close he and Richard came last year to sporting the coveted 400 numbers of the Club Champion Boat for this season.
After competition more food platters served in the Quarterdeck, competitors mingled with VIP guests and the H28 Check Point Crews, eagerly awaiting results. The new weekly $100 Bent Prop voucher donated by Chris Pearson of Wilson Marine went to Magnifique Anton Jennings for failure to start due computer freeze at the start buoy! Yes, Kelly is sorting out a back-up system, maybe one that eager young Seb can take charge of.
The Opening Day event is the Commodores Trophy, not counting for consistency points, but winning this Time Trail off the stick is a great way for the guns to start their season. Thanet, proving Guy and Richard have lost none of their exact timing and skippering skills, took the trophy with just 3 points lost! Jason Claricoates and Caroline James on Tikkityboo took first place in the Port fleet with an amazing 7 points lost. Other Port fleet winners were Purrfect with a loss of 10 and Dave & Fonny Ewart with 14 points, time trialling Thelissos for the first time. Starboard fleet placegetters were no surprise 2nd. Amazon with 9 and 3rd.Dalusional with 10 points lost.
Next week the time trial is the Sherwell Family Trophy, the traditional Mother’s Day event, followed by the Colin Wilson Memorial Trophy.
The first CPYC Heat 1 is on 22nd May.
Keep an eye on the Club regular Covid updates, but be assured our administrators are doing all they can to keep our Time Trialling calendar on track within safety limits.
Links to Bernie’s full photo gallery are :
Power Opening Day by Rick Steuart
