The Don and Mister Ed headed off last week for the Winters at Mooloolaba in search of good sailing and warmer weather.As it turned out the sailing was excellent but the wind was unbelievably cold, particularly on the Thursday and Friday.With 52 boats on the water the regatta was sailed in light to medium winds on Friday, light on Saturday and 25 knots plus on Sunday with big waves standing near vertical at times.
Don with his regular crew of Jason and Brent had, without doubt, one of his best regattas ever. They showed consistent improvement over the first four races with 37, 18, 16, & 14.Going into the fifth race Don hoped to consolidate his position but a broken tiller down the last run left him with a 26 and a DNC for the last race.Even so he finished the series in 22nd position. A great result.There would have been have been some digs about Don’s fancy glass tiller breaking except that the Boyd brothers from LMYC broke their wooden tiller at the same time.At least Don managed to limp home, the Boyd’s snapped at the headstock and they had to be towed in.
Greg and his crew of Rod Moore, David Hall and Rob Topping helped to make up the numbers.Friday’s racing with a 35 & 48 was hampered by the four trying to get to know each other and the boat but nevertheless they were pleased to not be tailing the field home.Saturday, in much lighter conditions, saw a great improvement.Halfway through the first race they were mid-fleet before getting mixed up in a contested bottom mark rounding and being one of a number of boats doing penalty turns, the finishing position of 41 was considered a good recovery.In the second race everything seemed to go right and Mister Ed was over the line in 23rd position.Being on the outer position of the marina Mister Ed was one of the first on the water on Sunday and by the time they arrived at the start boat with an hour and half to go the wind was wild and the seas steep and boat breaking.After practice sailing for some time the decision was made that the conditions were too strong and they headed back to shore.At the same time as that decision was made the top leech batten flicked out of the sail and the boat had to be nursed home to avoid ripping the leech out.By all reports the wind moderated before the start so perhaps the call was made too early.In the end Mister Ed won the most important race of the weekend, being on the crane before the other retirees limped in.
As always the social side of Mooloolaba was excellent and the current arrangement with the Wharf Tavern being the centre of activities and the boats berthed immediately adjacent makes it a very pleasant way to enjoy a regatta.
Saturday night’s prize giving was followed by an auction to raise money for the Spike Doriean Family appeal and in excess of $20,000 was bid for various items donated by members of the Etchells’ sailing community.
It probably comes as no surprise that Jessica Watson was co-opted by the Mooloolaba Fleet to present the prizes after the conclusion of the Regatta.
Australian President Noel Patterson spoke briefly on Sunday and announced that the Australian Association is purchasing a new Etchells’ mould.The mould will be produced using the latest technology and will be based on the Heritage mould in England, considered to be the fairest, with input from the scanning that has been carried out over the last couple of years.Noel indicated that changes were being made to the construction particularly at the hull/deck junction to give a stronger and more serviceable boat.In addition some of the features of the Ontario deck, such as the recesses for cleats and leads will be incorporated in the new mould.While Pacesetter will remain as the agent a new builder has been appointed and the hulls will be constructed on the South Coast.
