Conyers' NO EYE DEER Wins
(Adelaide, SA, Australia- Mar 14)- We had Fun-- that was the motto. The SA states were held over the weekend of 13/14 March in Adelaide. With typical late summer soft winds and fine weather the sailing was a glamour and easy on the body. Trevor Conyers in NO EYE DEER sailed an almost perfect series to win with five bullets and a second, from Alyn Stevenson sailing FUN 2. Here is Simon Grain's report:"Pete Stevens should have finished third but a small mistake in leaving the life jackets in the car on Saturday morning meant he was late to the starting line for the first race and scored a DNF and with no drops meant he had to carry that. Instead he had to watch his old boat sail away into third ahead of him with me at the helm …. because we had ‘Fun’. Pete had invited us over, leant me the boat, given us a bed and as it turned out conceded to us the third he would otherwise have got. Sometimes it all turns out sweet … for us anyway.
Saturday and the weather was hot and sunny, wind around 8 knots from the south and flat water, you’ll be asking yourself why you didn’t come to this one. The CYCSA held the Great Southern Regatta in conjunction with the J States and did a very good job to get 3 races in – shortish courses with 2 or 3 times round and nice tight start lines to keep us on our toes. We had 10 boats on the line and plenty of talent in the field. Competition was fierce around the track in all 3 races on Saturday with most of the fleet sailing the course and finishing in a tight pack.
Sunday and we had light westerlies with sun-blocking cloud – thankfully – once again the PRO did a good job to set up a tight line and course giving fair racing and tactical sailing. Trevor didn’t seem to have a lot more speed but with good sailing put himself in the right place each time and he moved through to lead each race by a small margin from either Alyn, Pete and in the last shortened race Simon.
Snapping at the transoms of the first 4 boats were VERTGO, GOOD COMPANY, SUCH IS LIFE and KAIZEN. Never far out of the picture, these boats are ready to jump you if you make a mistake. FOOLISH BEHAVIOR and COOKIE MONSTER rounded out the fleet. The club and the State Association came together to put on a good regatta with many thanks to the PRO, his team and all the volunteers who made this happen. Oh did I forget to mention we had the most amazing stroke of luck as I hadn’t even considered the handicap part of the series … but we took that out too.
As the only interstate boat we had a Fun time and were looked after by Pete Stevens in particular, but thanks to all who made us feel so welcome. Next time get on the blower and organise yourself a berth interstate, there is a cost but it is worth the effort and having class members organising billeting and help to get on the water makes this a great short holiday and a way to get to know your interstate friends better.
The next regatta is the Vic States on 17/18 March and if you haven’t already decided to come then have another thought about it. Melbourne in autumn is traditionally a carbon copy of the regatta above, warm and light and lots of fun. For more J/24 Australia sailing information.
