It was a combined event on Saturday which included the Lady Skippers Ladies Luncheon Trophy Time Trial to end our exciting 2023 season. Our season finale coincides with the AFL Grand Final and with bad weather resulting in the postponement of Lady Skipps earlier in the season, the decision was made to run the event for Closing Day. A well-received idea, with a strong fleet of 11 ladies taking the course behind the wheel to compete alongside some of our regular Time Trialling crews meant a total of 25 boats competed on Closing Day. Fiona Lyons was away sailing in SA with our ladies’ team, so it was Caroline James in the driver’s seat onboard Thanet. Some new faces, Lisa McCusker onboard Taj, Wendy Cometti steering The Dolphin and Debbie Swain onboard Jola mixed it well with our more experienced Lady Skippers.
The bar was in full swing by 11.30am with sweep tickets being sold Functions in readiness for the game on the big screens. The decorative balloon arch set the scene for a close game with the crowd swelling on the Quarterdeck enjoying Rottnest Island Bakery pies specials. Congratulations to Sue Markham who drew winners in the first two sweeps with tickets for first goal and half-time margin. Thank you, Chris Pearson and Toby Williams, for arranging this fundraising fun once again.
Prior to results being announced in two fleets at half time, the regular free jugs and meals vouchers were drawn and presented to the lucky winners. Helen Taylor was pleased to have her name drawn out of the red bucket winning the weekly $50 meal voucher. There were a few nominations for the Bent Prop, the $100 Wilson Marine Voucher awarded for misdemeanours. Captain Maria Cook made special mention of ‘Blaming the Navigator’. Firstly, Jola running out of fuel was apparently Deb Swain’s fault, albeit it was Jola’s skipper and owner’s mid-week trip over to Rotto that was more likely the cause of the empty tank. Claude Mancini sabotaged Liz by setting the wrong course in the computer, sending Legacy off to Perth Water, while the fleet all headed to Applecross. But it was Paul Stott called out for the double, finishing the course on the inside of the finish line buoy and flat batteries before the start on Trailer Trash… in both instances, ‘Blaming the Navigator’… Peter Black very graciously collected the Bent Prop trophy; we hope Blackie keeps the voucher. The Mid fleet wine prize was awarded to Dalusional, Victoria was in the driver’s seat with Justin Barron counting, assisted or maybe not, by Beau, Victoria’s boisterous puppy. Leesa Spanos onboard Out on Business with Darryl counting, was all smiles collecting the wooden spoon and the port.
Results in the Lady Skippers event were; Thanet Caroline James and Navigator Guy Skinner 3rd place, Jola, Debbie Swain and Mick Douthie 2nd place. Val Barron, representing The Ladies Lunch Group awarded the beautiful dancing dolphins Trophy. The winner was a first-time skipper of a boat in an event, a very surprised and delighted, Wendy Cometti skippering The Dolphin with Jason Claricoates navigating, winning with a score of 8 points lost.
The footy game, being a close one, kept everyone checking on their sweep tickets and staying on in Yachties Bar to enjoy the rest of the day.
Congratulations competitors and winners and to our Functions Committee volunteers for a fun filled Closing Day event.
A reminder that we are hosts for the CPYA Presentation Dinner on this Friday night. Bookings are closing tomorrow so please book via the poster if you would like to congratulate the season winners and share in the celebration dinner on Friday.
This Sunday is the Summer Season Opening Day . Commodore Troy has a wager with other Commodores so is hoping to see lots of boats and most of our Power Fleet, in the sail past.
Our Prize Night celebrations are on the following Saturday. Please book your tables via the poster link.
