Simply Fun and More Noise fly SYC flag at Port Lincoln Regatta

Thursday, 23rd February 2017

Two SYC boats recently competed in the Adelaide to Port Lincoln and Port Lincoln Regatta, Phil Coombs’ Simply Fun and Jason Close’s More Noise. They represented the opposite ends of the racing spectrum, one a 42ft carbon rocket ship and the other a little 31ft IRC rating terrier. Both had experienced crews and great skippers so both were contenders for a good result.

For the Adelaide to Port Lincoln ocean race, weather forecasts were watched with interest in the lead up to the race, and they proved accurate. After a light wind start, the wind filled in to a solid 20K on the nose, building to 30+K at times making for wet and unpleasant sailing conditions, locals say the worst in 23 years. With a course that saw little relief until the fleet entered the gulf, crews put their heads down and got on with the job at hand while 12 boats (25% of the fleet) abandoned the race and headed back to CYCSA.

Phil Coombs’ Simply Fun put in a great effort, with a 1^st place in AMS and PHS and a 2^nd in IRC while More Noise “enjoyed” the conditions with a 2^nd IRC in their division.

After a much needed lay day, cleaning and preparing the boats the wind dropped providing sunny and light conditions day 1. We were disappointed to see there were insufficient boats to run Division 2 IRC, More Noise’s favoured division. Two windward leeward races were planned. Port Lincoln always provides flat water and there is little current so its generally down to land effects and wind shifts. Simply Fun grabbed a first on one of the races, More Noise a couple of seconds.

Day 2 couldn’t have been more different, with quite strong conditions for the “long race”. Being a passage race we were looking forward to showing the little “More Noise” pace but in the end the race was quite short. Despite this More Noise were leading the fleet before a navigation error saw them head to the wrong mark, a mistake which was to prove very costly in the overall standings. Fortunately most of the fleet followed.

Day 3 was “Megas beach party”, a bit like the old Hamilton Island Whitehaven beach party. It was blowing hard with 30+ knots but the passage race started anyway. Some brave souls tried a kite, with most wiping out soon after hoisting. We both blasted down there, with spectacular photos of the power reaching. More Noise took out a much needed 1^st, Simply Fun a 2^nd proving Melbourne boats enjoy stronger winds. Anchoring for the beach party wasn’t for the feint hearted, not all stayed. Regardless the trip home was motoring into a short choppy sea in 30+ knots, not so fun.

Day 4 was a pleasant 10K breeze for the final day of windward leewards and it was a fantastic battle, especially between More Noise and the local Sydney 32s. A great story in their own right, the Sydney 32s are provided by Peter Teagle as part of his “Mentor program” to help young people into keel boats, a fantastic initiative. They were certainly sailed well with extremely experienced skippers. Results weren’t bad for the final two races which saw it go down to the wire, with More Noise losing 1^st place AMS Div 2 on a count back to “Born to Mentor” and Simply Fun consolidating their 2^nd place Div 1 AMS to “Aikin”. IRC Div 1 was taken out by “Secret Mens Business” over “Celestial”, a battle of the TP52s.

Meanwhile on shore Phil Coombs decided an SYC competitor function was in order so organised a seafood extravaganza out the front of his apartment for the two boat’s crews and supporters. Phil outdid himself (with a bit of help), laying on Sushi platters, Crayfish platters, Oysters, garlic mussels, King Prawns and crumbed Whiting. It was fantastic. There was plenty of socialising during the regatta, on apartment decks, at the local Marina Hotel, down the yacht club and skipper function and presentation function at Port Lincoln Hotel.

Why is the regatta a favourite ? Not just the racing on flat water but also the relaxed style, the humour shown, the support from Peter Teagle as sponsor, the social and inclusive atmosphere and of course Port Lincoln as a destination. Thanks to all, particularly to Phil and Jason, on behalf of all the crews of Simply Fun and More Noise, and on behalf of SYC for flying the club flag.