The fleet of 7 boats took to a familiar course 421, well after dark, with the start times from 1930hrs. The near full moon played a part with clear skies to assist the fleet twice around the course, no faster than 8 knots. The course was a pleasant, hour-long cruise of the familiar Melville Waters East, down as far as Deepwater Spit. Included in the fleet was Kermit, visiting from Mandurah with skipper Jenni Sachs and her navigator Dad, Bernie Kaaks. Kermit collected the wooden spoon but that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the Kaaks family. Jenni’s sister, Angela Kaaks is regular navigator for Power Vice Captain Doug on Reel Time. Doug collected the bent prop for losing his way to Heathcote or was it Gone Fishin’? Our current 400 champion, Commodore Troy Dalglish skippering Dalusional with Mike Irving navigating, were the winners with 14pts. Madeleine Rennie presented the Troy and Mike with Least points & first pennants and the trophy perpetual trophy.
In second place was Lone Star with 18 pts, happy with that score, seeing Amanda printed out the wrong course and third place with 19 pts were Brian and Tina Smith onboard Indianna.
Each year Madeleine reminds us of the amazing history behind the boat Xantippe, the Randell ’38 after which the event is named, in memory of the original owner and club personality, Barry Britain. Barry referred to Madeleine as Deckie and for the 26 years they teamed up to compete in Time Trials. The Night Time Trials were very popular in the 1980 and 90’s with first Xantippe Perpetual Trophy having been run in 1978! Barry passed away in 2002. The archive photo is Barry and Madeleine on Prize Night c1999 with GM Colin Wilson and Past Commodore Rod Sawyer.
