Michael Fairburn wins first Finn President’s Cup at Yarrawonga Regatta
Michael Fairburn took on a class
fleet of Finn sailors and won the first President’s Cup and Finn Division at
Yarrawonga’s Anzac Regatta on 20 & 21 April 2007. Travelling 7 hours from
Nowra YC (NSW), Michael broke open the mainly Victorian fleet of 6 boats with
good boat speed in close racing conditions over the 4 race series. Another
interstate Finn, Dirk Seret from Adelaide YC (SA) also did his best to raid
the Victorian domination, by finishing second in his newly acquired AUS228 (ex
Josh Beaver boat). Finn President John Shallvey also got on the podium with a
determined and consistent performance in light breezes.
The fleet of six Finns was the biggest gathering outside a major regatta for many years and boasted sailors from three states. The President’s Cup was an idea conceived by John Shallvey to put another Finn event on the calendar in the hope that it would grow into a large annual event. Based at the picturesque Yarrawonga Yacht Club on Lake Mulwala (40 minutes from Albury Wodonga on the Murray), the lake level was full and the grassy green shore provided an excellent area for rigging and camping. Light breezes of 5-12 knots dominated the mostly warm conditions with a small shower of rain in the afternoon on day one. The racing consisted of triangle, windward and return, triangle, then finish.
Race 1
– Andrew Pollard defied the tactics of the rest of the fleet and started at
the boat end of the line, which paid dividends as he lead the fleet around the
first triangle, only to surrender his lead to eventual winner Dirk Seret from
Michael Fairburn 2nd. Although Dirk was a rookie in the fleet, he appeared to
have lost little skill since last sailing a Finn in Holland some 40 years
earlier. Brian Reynolds sailed over the top of John Shallvey, to take out an
impressive 3rd spot, after John attempted to lee-bow Brian on the lay-line
200m to the finish.
Race 2 – Shifting conditions saw Michael, Dirk and Dave Richardson jump the field to the first mark, John Shallvey got caught on the wrong side of the shift and did well to stay in touch to finish 4th. Michael and Dirk consolidated early form and finished 1st and 2nd.
Race 3 – Michael and Dirk lead to
the first mark and had a minor collision,
John Shallvey capitalised and took
an early lead, but the two interstate visitors again spoilt the Presidents
party with another 1st and 2nd finish. Andrew was
a
comfortable fourth around the final mark, but lost out on the shifting breeze
to finish 6th, ultimately costing him a podium finish.
Race 4 – The trickiest conditions
of all saw a tightly bunched fleet around the first mark, small puffs proving
critical in downwind positions. John took an early lead, only to be overhauled
again by the usual suspects. The leeward leg became crucial on the shortened
course as the breeze dropped in and out. Dirk in lead position picked the
inside near the shore where the breeze appeared to be, but it dropped out and
he subsequently fell back to 4th. Michael, Andrew and John stuck to
the middle of the lake where luckily a little breeze placed them at the last
mark with only metres separating them. All three stuck close up the final leg
with Andrew coming through 1st and Michael 2nd. Dirk
took the ultimate gamble, going the other side of the course, which did not
pay-off and finished an uncharacteristic last. Dave hung on for 4th
ahead of a fast finished Brian.
Overall the racing was excellent and the conditions on the lake were close to perfect (there was plenty of space and no speed boats). It was great to see such a mixed fleet of Finns, with Michael proving that with his 30 year old boat and round mast, that anything is possible in this one design class. The event will be on the Finn Calender again for 2008 and the Executive Committee will promote the details early next year.
Dave Richardson