Mar 30, 2023
Austin Lakes DF95 Shootout 25th March 2023
Attached report from ALRS on recent successful DF95 event at Austin Lakes
What an awesome day out on the lake.
We had steady south east breezes blowing at 2 - 12 knots depending on the tree influences at the time.
It was warm and sunny but the threat of thunderstorms was all around us for much of the afternoon.
We consider ourselves lucky that the weather remained steady for most of the afternoon and we did not have to seek any shelter all day.
We had an unbelievable 21 boats register to race at 1pm. That has to be a feather in the cap of the DF95 class and the comradery that all skippers offer to each other when they venture down to race here. Well done to all involved in making the trip and making this a fun day, cheers.
We were very fortunate to have experienced PRO and new DF skipper Peter Buchanan come down to do the PRO role, so Donks could sail his DF95 prior to the upcoming Global DF95. Peter wears many hats in Radio Sailing including Secretary of the RSAWA and IOM champion skipper. Thank you heaps Peter for your assistance and showing the standards that ranking events need to reach.
He was ably assisted by Ian M, Dave W, Terry P and Fred W. They all benefited from Peter tutelage prior to racing, thank you guys heaps.
The course was set for an easterly breeze and Austin Lake often throws curve balls and we had to select different buoys often to ensure the course was fair for all. This meant that one race we abandoned before we made the first buoy because the wind changed to more southerly favouring the south side of the course.
These decisions are difficult to make but to be fair to all skippers, it was the right decision. The boats should have to make two tacks before reaching the top mark to make it fair. We also all learnt a lot about sailing in big fleets and staying away from where the pack forms, this is usually on a start mark or top mark, unfortunately too often.However, Peter did suggest post racing that the conduct improved drastically when space was offered and then the penalties decreased.
As suggested by Donks, ADFRSA raises its funds to run DF Class promotion and is voluntary but relies on Ranking, State and National event sailors supporting the organisation. All we ask is $5 payable into Austin Lake Radio Sailing, which we will gather and forward onto the National group.
ALRS Bank is - BSB 633 000 account 174 674 432, cheers.
Our winners today both sailed very well and bolted away from the tangles too easily. First on 20 points was Ron Viney (Wanderers) from Justin McAully (Perth RSC) also on 20 points with Donks in third on 35 points. Creditable mentions to Kim K and Wayne C who started the day fast but dropped a few bad races in there that dragged the scores out. Well done to the winners.
Thank you all for coming down.
Donks
