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The Chappos and River Rat take out the NSW Flying Eleven State Championship, 2006.
Andrew and Alison have fulfilled their goals to be top skipper and crew of the Flying Elevens in Australia, by completing their dominance over the best the country could throw at them, not only in the Australian NATIONAL Championship but also in their second test, the STATE Championship which was run over 2 weekends 2 months apart.
Following a tight Nationals, where they'd had to put a super effort in on the final heat to overcome the vagaries of protest committees and the bad luck of having the tip of their mast over a starting line for an OCS disqualification, the NSW State Championship was in their hands prior to the start of the 7th and final heat on Sunday. This didn't dampen their drive and they, with no other incentive, went out and still finished in 3rd place.
Looking at the numbers, it takes a champion boat and a champion team to complete any 7 race series with no race finish outside the top 3.
We, as fellow Club members, feel a part of the successes they have achieved, be it only as witnesses to their growth and determination to take their place on the Champions' dais of the F11 record book.
For that, we thank you Chappos, for rekindling the fire of success that creates future champions in and for our Club.
The Club should also take great pride in the achievements of fellow training partners, Jay Griffin and Amy Gojnich in JynX, who have also matched their National Championship result with an outstanding 3rd place overall in these State titles.
In a reverse situation to the Chappos, Jay and Amy had real pressure to perform well in Sunday's final heat, to hold their record of 3rd best F11.
The December 4 heats had them standing 5th going into the last weekend at Cronulla and, even with a 3rd and 7th on Saturday, they were 6 points behind Panther from Belmont for that all important 3rd spot. They achieved that with 1 extra point to spare.
Over 20 knots and rough, open water weren't thought to be their strong-point but that's what they got. With wind gusting up to 28 knots at one stage and with the tide against wind past Bass and Flinders kicking up a fair seaway, 3 other boats jumped to the front from the start.
It took until the last triangle and with JynX and River Rat swapping 3rd for a little bit, Jay and Amy settled for 4th with the good news that Panther had dropped to 11th.
Congratulations Jay and Amy, an absolutely fantastic performance and result.
The congratulations don't stop there! Our Club has been represented by an outstanding group of sailors, who have tried their utmost to reach the heights they deserve.
Individually, The Rat - Evan Williams and Alex Paton, have had a diabolical 2nd weekend for their capabilities and their result inexplicable after the fantastic National performance. They tried hard but it wasn't to be! Had a superb best heat of 5th in the 2nd heat, a measure of where they should have finished.
Playing Havoc - Josh and Oscar Tatham, have finally put a series together and come out with their best-ever result. Well done with a 20 place gain from last year.
Too Blonde - Lara Paton and Danielle Bujna, a great combination of ability and temperament and consistency plus! What a Race 5 with 14th on scratch? Up 17 places over last year.
Nothing to lose - Allison Kenney and Claire Lunsmann, have gained this year, not only in places on the board but more in consistency. Have put more into being on the frontline at starts, a must!
Determination - Cat Trew and Grace Armstrong, heaps of effort put in to make it a big season result, huge disappointment that gear failures cost you in the 2 most favourable-weather heats. Great gain of 14 places over last year.
And lastly, Land's End - Mevagh Clarke and Dannielle Holt and X-stream - Kate Brown and James Wilmot.
Mevagh and Dannielle entered only the 2nd weekend and I'm sure, found the rough and open water quite a challenge. Extremely compatible pair who always display enjoyment on their faces.
Kate and James had the misfortune of breaking her leg in the 1st heat and we all wish you a return to better sailing, now Kate's leg is gaining strength again.
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