Twenty two sailors competed in the 2023 South Queensland IOM Championship at Kawana over the weekend of 01-02 July, at another successful event hosted by the Sunshine Coast Radio Sailing Club.
Day one racing commenced in a light SW breeze and saw both Greg Torpy (AUS125) and Paul Jones (AUS77) get away to a good start winning the first race and then finishing 1,2 respectively in race two sending a signal to the rest of the fleet that with their Venti's they were the pair to watch. Torpy continued with a couple of solid races adding a third and another first to his card while Jones struggled with a fifth and seventh which opened the door for Aaron Farrar (AUS34) to join the hunt with 3,9,1,3 after four races and it became a three horse race!
As the day progressed the breeze lightened and the conditions became extremely challenging for all with mixed scores throughout the fleet. Brad Quiggin (AUS49) was sailed consistently to also put some pressure on the leaders joining the bunch of four toward the end of the day. Overnight saw Jones hold the lead followed by Farrar, Torpy, Quiggs, Gary (Macca) McCarthy rounding out the top five.
Day two saw a bit more breeze, Southerly between 5-15+ knots which even saw some B rigs later in the day. Torpy got out to a good start for the day winning a couple while Jones had the bonnet open on the Venti dealing with some winch issues which gave Quigg's and Aaron a bit of an advantage.
Racing remained exciting and close and race wins were shared with Allan Walker, Macca and Glen Fitzgerald sailing his 3D printed Alioth picking up race wins along with the top four overall finishers.
Going into the final race Jones & Torpy were tied on 39 points and after Jones got the upper hand early in the race at the finish it was Torps who got across the line just a boat length ahead of Jones finishing fourth & fifth respectively in the final race.
Many thanks to RO Geoff Morris, Asst RO Trevor Fisher, Scorer Gwen Warne, Event Organiser Adele Pearce & her team of volunteers – another successful regatta hosted by Sunshine Coast Radio Sailing Club at their stunning Lake Kawana venue.
Next event is the 3 day Eddie Cowell IOM Regatta being held on 18-20th August 2023. Entry is open & filling fast!
Photos courtesy Nick Lindsley