Straight on the back of his win of the SA Marblehead State Championship, Scott Condie has claimed victory in the NSW Marblehead Championship. Twelve skippers arrived to contest the most prestigious and important event for the Radio Marblehead class on the NSWRYA calendar. Several interstate sailors made the trip from Melbourne and Adelaide to compete, including defending champion Andrew Reid.
The weather was warm and dry with a light northerly breeze blowing when racing commenced at 10am on Saturday. The breeze then promptly faded and after four races an early lunch was called so the breeze could settle in. After lunch the breeze did arrive from the ENE, skippers changed down as the wind strengthened, and racing got under way in earnest. Fifteen races were completed on Saturday and Andrew Reid was in the lead at the end of the day on 27 points with Scott Condie and Lincoln McDowell equal second on 34 points and Paul Jones in fourth on 48 points. Scott Condie had an unavoidable commitment and missed the first three races.
Sunday had different conditions altogether with a 15 to 20 knot southerly blowing with gusts to 25 knots, so all skippers elected for C2 or smaller rigs and the racing was fast and furious. As the morning progressed the tide dropped, and Matthew McAnna had fun in the rescue boat picking up beached boats. He moved the course further out three times. Unfortunately, some of the boats suffered technical problems brought about by the tough conditions. Fifteen more races were sailed to bring the total for the regatta to thirty.
In a field of very fast boats and skilled and experienced skippers Scott Condie proved to be the one to beat. Even though he only sailed in 27 of the 30 races, Scott managed to win 21 of them with his Grunge, a remarkable effort. Defending champion Andrew Reid came second in another Grunge and Lincoln McDowell, who has been Australian Champion on several occasions came third sailing his F4. Full results are below.
Pictured L-R: Andrew Reid, Scott Condie, Lincoln McDowall
Congratulations to all the skippers who sailed fairly and quietly all regatta. Everyone had a good time.
Thanks to the KBRYC members who assisted so it all happened without a hitch. They were Rob Fielding, Ted Gay, Terry McLeod, Scott Backhouse, Wayne Keavy, Allen Roberts and Matthew McAnna.
Thanks also to John Lewis from KBSC who catered the excellent lunches.
Owen Jarvis