Skandia Geelong Week - Bigger Than Ben Hur

Out on Corio Bay today, at Skandia Geelong Week, much was happening in the way of sailing.

This morning’s events included the Parks Victoria 1858 Re-enactment Race with Classic yachts and Couta Boats, the Celebration of Sail, the Bundaberg Rum National Sports Boat Championship and much more.

It was a colourful morning preceding racing, many competitors going to a lot of effort to dress their boats. Onlookers were treated to ‘Premonition’, full of Elvis Presley look-alikes, guitars and all, ‘Dynamic’ dressed as McHale’s Navy, the crew in full Naval uniform, the English entry, ‘Charlie Fish’, sporting a male figurehead – baring it all, ‘Highland Ceilidh’ carried Aboriginals, the Roulettes flew overhead, many boats streamed flags and for the patriots, a huge Australian flag fluttered from the corner of Royal Geelong Yacht Club, the host club for Skandia Geelong Week – all this happening amongst the orange smoke from hand-held flares, making for a misty but colourful scene on Corio Bay.

Lots of spectators graced the shoreline, the Club and the marina – an Australia Day long weekend in full swing – where else would you be?

Once the fun of the morning finished, it was down to serious business of Skandia Geelong Week racing.

On the Trailable yachts course, Peter Jackson’s Flyway (SYC) and Bryan Kennett’s Time Out (PSC) are fighting it out for first place, both finishing today on equal four points, with Bill Lodge’s Maverick in third with eight points in their seven boat fleet.

The Sports Boats completed their seven race series today, Chris Williams’ Team G.U.E. from RPAYC in Sydney finally met their match, relinquishing the title they have held for the past four years on the trot.

Pierre Gal’s Julian Bethwaite designed Vivace (CHYC) won the series by four points from Team G.U.E. – the coveted jacket will now go to Gal. Paul Heye’s Skandia Courage (MYC) finished third, Andrew Sayle’s Chicken Run (SYC) having to accept fourth place.

During the morning, the beautiful Classic yachts came out, Peter Costolloe’s Alwyn (HBYC) leads the point score with Col Anderson’s Acrospire III (RYCV), both on four points, George Fisscher’s Boambillee (RMYS) third with six points. However, James Wood’s Windward II won today’s windward/leeward race, but is in seventh place overall going into tomorrow’s final.

Onto the Cruising Division 1 PHC, Bas Hulbers Merak (RYCV) won from Shane La Peyre’s Vapour Trail (SYC), with Roger McLennan’s Coromandel (RGYC) third.

In Division 2 PHC, James Lynch’s Quintet (RYCV) finished first from Douglas Lacey’s Taranaki (RBYC) and Christof Stockhoff’s Indigo (RBYC).

There will be more action on and off the water tomorrow at Skandia Geelong Week.

To keep up with all the action go to the official website: www.geelongweek.com.au

Di Pearson