Crews tackle winds for regatta win
Sails filled the waters of Rockingham at the weekend when the 57th annual Cockburn Sound Regatta kicked off.
More than 80 vessels of all shapes and sizes were set to take to the water during the five-day event, which began with a Fremantle to Rockingham race on Boxing Day.
The Cruising Yacht Club media advisor Bernie Kaaks said conditions had so far been wonderful despite a windy day on Sunday which damaged a mast of yacht Walk on the Wild Side and left a crewman from Cape Bouvard with a broken ankle.
"It has been wonderful, the spirit down here is absolutely terrific," he said.
"All the competitors get on really well and the club has done a great job."
Mr Kaaks said as of December 27 in the Classic Fleet division Eun-na-Mara - which is island speak for bird of the sea - a 107-year-old yacht, sailed by Ralph Newton, was in the lead.
In second place was Anna, sailed by John Wright, and in third Napea of Carrick, sailed by James Spittle.
In fourth position was Acrospire IV, sailed by Gary Martin, a relatively newcomer.
The leader in Division 1 was Dynamic, sailed by Lorrie Flinne, and in second place was M.E II, sailed by Peter Hickson.
In Division 3 Lockman, sailed by Ally Mounsey, took the lead with Freedom, sailed by Steven Morris, in second and Anelaua, sailed by Collin Jones, in third. In the JAM fleet Hard Evidence, sailed by Des Riley, was in the lead followed by Low Flying Duck, sailed by Ryan Binedell, as of December 28.
In the Premier cruising Unhinged was leading, skippered by Dieter Strauss, and Cutty Wren, skippered by Peter Henley. The leader at this stage in Sports Boats is Cape Bouvard, skippered by Jamie Dunross, with Rhythm and Booze, sailed Colin Marks in third and Jedi, skippered by Tobias Byrne, in third place.
Final results in the next edition.
