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McDougall regains title
after 22 years from a persistent Veal. The racing for 1st and 2nd was a show of subtle differences in
boat speed and boat handling. With McDougall usually edging out
Veal a few boat lengths on speed each leg, but Veal picking it back
up on mark rounding and tacking. Even though there were few boats,
the closeness and intensity of the battle for first has not been
seen in a Victorian championship for many years. Race Reports Race one saw the lead change numerous times between McDougall and Veal, but McDougall clinched victory on the last run to the finish to win by about 20 seconds. Mic Boode came in for third quite a distance back after taking a wrong mark on the first lap, followed by Rainer Cuno in 'Bob'. The second race was closer again with Veal and McDougall changing lead constantly. McDougall was a few boat lengths ahead when the course was shortened at the last top mark. With the line drifting down to Veal's end it was almost too close to call. Luckily for McDougall, Veal couldn't believe we would finish at an unanchored boat and tacked only 1/2 a boat length from the line. Both sailors were not sure if they had finished so continued to sail another 30 minutes in the frustrating conditions. Boode and Cuno both retired after the first lap due to the massive course in sweltering conditions. To top it all off, the 14' skiff sailors mistakenly ate our BBQ food that was planned for dinner that night, so we retired hurt to McDougall's place for a private BBQ. The second day of racing started of with a gusty 10-15 knot Northerly breeze. Veal started dangerously on port and crossed just ahead McDougall and picked up some good wind inshore, while McDougall and Cuno went up the middle of the course. McDougall then picked up a huge shift out to sea, so huge that he over-laid the top mark to give Veal a comfortable one-minute lead. However Veal's lead was short lived as McDougall's superior downwind abilities saw him catch Veal not long after. However, with the two were separated by 1/2 a boat length, McDougall's intense preparation ;-) let him down when the mainsheet decided to be untied at both ends. Veal pulled away for a two-minute victory. Cuno retired under the difficult and frustrating racing conditions and Boode did not start due to trampoline problems and a near dead pussy cat at home. Race four was to be the final and deciding race. McDougall got an early but small lead on the first lap in the 5-10 knot South Westerly, but pulled away on the second work with excellent upwind boat speed helped by a brand new and finely tuned KA Sail. A determined Veal never gave up and closed the gap by showing excellent running speed to the finish. However it was not enough and McDougall won the race and the series by about two seconds. McDougall and Veal went back to the club for a well-deserved beer
and so McDougall could claim the State Championship trophy for the
third time, the last was in 1979! McDougall later said "I am
very pleased to win this championship as I doubt I will be able
to beat that whipper-snapper in a series again!" Venue
Notice of Race and Entry Form
Race Program
Courses Regatta Coodinator General Information
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