The annual “Cat Challenge” was held this weekend at Lake Cootharaba. This seven heat race series gave sailors on all different catamaran sailing boats the chance race off to see which designs are faster. The race series attracted international champions, and sailors from all over Queensland to come and compete. This was great preparation for sailors in their National training campaign. The steady breezes and flat water made for perfect conditions for some of the faster cats. Spinnakers were flying on the F18 classes but the speed and tactical sailing ability of Brad Collette, current Australian Champion of the A-Class, made for some interesting results. In race 2 on Saturday Collette was 4 minutes in front of the next A-Class cat. The new hull design he is using really has proved to be a winning shape.
Overall regatta placement was:
Division 1
– 1st Brad Collett sailing A-Class called Friendly Grocer ,
– 2nd Adrian Fawcett & Crew sailing F16 Viper called Lead Balloon
– 3rd Matt Homan & Crew sailing Taipan 4.9 Sloop called Black Magic
Division 2
– 1st Bruce Tardrew & Crew sailing Hobie 16 called Master Yoda
– 2nd Neville Thompson & Crew sailing Hobie 16 called Angel
– 3rd Mike Willcocks & Crew sailing Hobie 16 called Money for nothing (Local Sailor and current Rear Commadore of the host club)
Division 3
– 1st Robbie Lea sailing an Arrow called Wild Child
– 2nd Daryl Skinner sailing an Arrow clled Airpower 2
– 3rd Julian Griffiths sailing an Arrow called Incognito
Full results can be found on club website http://results.lcsc.org.au/catchallenge/SGrp13.htm
Regards
Mia Hacker
www.miahacker.com
Ph: 0437721966
Email: noosashowsociety@internode.on.net