The Whyte Just & Moore Wooden Boat Festival of Geelong.

Sayonara

Under difficult weather conditions on Saturday, nine classic yachts left Williamstown bound for Geelong in the centralgeelong.com.au Passage Race.  At the finish it was the topsail cutter 'Sayonara' (Doug Shields) who crossed the finishing line first in an overall time of 6 hrs. 14 mins. 43 secs.  On handicap, it was the delightful cutter 'Anitra' (Carl De Fina) who was the winner of the centralgeelong.com.au silver salver. Kent Bacon's sloop rigged cutter 'Renene' was 2nd and 'Sayonara' was 3rd.

At Portarlington, 14 Couta boats lined up for race 1 of the Couta Boat Association State Titles and the centralgeelong.com.au Passage Race.  Line honours went to Sail No. C97 (Jeffery Richardson) after 2hrs. 29 mins and 22 secs.  On handicap in div. 1. it was 'Scoundrel' (Hayden Warszewski) 1st, 'Maud' (Andrew Scorgie) 2nd. and 'Fancy' (Paul Van Prooyen) was 3rd.  In div. 2, 'Defiance' (David Cross) was 1st. 'Drizabone' (wet as a shag! Ed.) (Tom Frickie) was 2nd and 'Fancy' was 3rd, the ultimate winner of the centralgeelong.com.au silver salver being 'Defiance' (David Cross).

On Corio Bay, Heat 1 of the Norglass Heron series set off with 7 starters. At the finish it was 'Miss Spent Youth' (Dean Denny) 1st. 'Astro Boy' (Glen Wilson) 2nd and 'Sarie' (Ralph Brown) 3rd. At this point, rain stopped play.     

Sunday dawned with warm but steamy sunshine opening a most pleasant day after the deluge further north. In Heat 2 of the Norglass Heron series, 'Miss Spent Youth' threw out a big challenge by again winning from an improving 'Sarie' 2nd and 'Sparkle' (Leigh McNotley). Showing absolute class, 'Miss Spent Youth' sealed the series with another 1st place in heat 3. 'Miss Behaviour' (Paul Wedding) was 2nd and 'Outcast' (Tony Cope) was 3rd.

This resulted in the overall winner of the Norglass trophy to be Dean Denny and 'Miss Spent Youth'. 'Sarie' was 2nd and 'Sparkle' was 3rd.

The 'Pier Point' Cup Race for classic yachts was won by Martin Ryan's 'Mercedes III', another example of a well loved and cared for classic of the past. 'Anitra' was 2nd and 'Renene' was 3rd.

Race 2 of the Victorian Couta Boat State titles, div. 1 was won by 'Sorrento' (Peter Gale), Sail No. C97 (Jeffrey Rochardson) was 2nd, and 'Lola' (Raymond Bateman) was 3rd. Div. 2 was won by 'Regina' (Janet Ellis), 'Defiance' was 2nd and 'Drizabone' 3rd. 

The Longboard Wines Cup race and race 3 of the Victorian Couta Boat State Titles resulted in 'Southerly' (Andrew Skinner) winning from 'Surprise' (Nick Williams) and 'Lola' was 3rd. In div. 2 it was 'Defiance' again taking out top spot with 'Drizabone' (Now drier! Ed,) 2nd and 'Regina' was 3rd.  'Southerly' was presented with the Longboard Wines Corio Bay Couta Cup.

Selecting one winner of the 'Concours d'elegance' trophy, (meaning a competition of elegance or style), amongst such a display of so many beautiful and well cared for vessels is an extremely difficult task.  Seven beautifully maintained boats were finally selected for consideration and it was after much deliberation that the beautifully preserved Friendship Sloop, 'The Hand Of Friendship' of Mike & Phillip Morris was selected as the winner. 14 years old and built by Tom Whitfield of Mordialloc with a Beach deck and a New Zealand Kauri hull she absolutely glistens in the sunlight! The second award of a Club Marine voucher went to 'Amiri', a beautifully maintained sloop. 'Rose', a Couta boat that shimmered with attention owned by A. Osborne and the shiny ski boat 'Redskin' of Scott Botterill's were also rewarded.

The judge and jury felt that the quality of entries was so high that the least they could do would be for honourable mentions to be made of the following. The 1933 gaff yawl 'Mariko' of Eric Messer, 'Sayonara' arguably the most famous classic keel boat of the Sayonara Syndicate and 'Windward II', built in Hobart in 1929 and owned by James Woods.

Summary, a great festival enjoyed by all who attended and regretted by those who didn't!
       
Bob Appleton OAM
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