Smooth sailing coaching regatta sets a new standard
The Mandurah Offshore Fishing & Sailing Club (MOFSC) hosted the 5th Annual Coaching Regatta over the 2010 Easter weekend, which saw the waters of Comet Bay spotted with an array of colourful yachts. The event was supported by the Department of Sport and Recreation.
13 May 2010
The 2010 regatta set a new standard for a coaching
regatta in Western Australia, with the event this year attracting 256 competitors from all over the country and even overseas, and 148 yachts from 19 different classes.
In a great show of community spirit, more than 90 volunteers generously gave their time to assist with the smooth running of the event.
Good Friday was the first coaching day. This was an invaluable afternoon for the 116 sailors that had access to the coaching services of Multiple Laser World Champion Tom Slingsby, former Australian Sailing Team coach Arthur Brett, International coaches from Singapore Craig and Susan Ferris, WA Institute of Sport (WAIS) head coach Belinda Brett and other WAIS and WA coaches. Arthur Brett commented that nowhere in Australia had such high profile coaches been in the one place at the same time except for the Olympics.
Craig and Susan Ferris brought a 470 team from Singapore to compete against some of the top young sailors here in Australia including sailors from New South Wales who made the trip to sail in the 470 class. Both of these crews are in Olympic Development Squads.
Mayor Paddi Creevey opened the regatta and along with Tom Slingsby fired the cannon to get proceedings underway.
This year’s regatta saw a record number of competitors competing in a wide range of wind conditions from a beautiful 10/15 knots on Friday and Saturday to Sunday when there was a 20/25 knot freo-doctor blowing. This provided some very exciting and challenging racing on all three courses.
The Regatta Sailing Forum was held on Sunday attracting 80 sailors plus parents. Coaches, Arthur and Belinda Brett, Craig Ferris and the fastest laser sailor in the world Tom Slingsby taking questions from the floor allowing sailors to ask questions relating to sailing tactics, physical and mental preparation and motivation techniques. The coaches discussed their personal experiences at world titles and Olympics and answered all sorts of questions from the floor.
At the regatta presentation over 350 people crammed into the Galley Restaurant for the opening speech from Rear Commodore Dinghy and Commodore Gerry Pietersen. Trophies were awarded with MOFSC sailors representing Mandurah well in most of the classes. Dave Bennett in Tender Prey laser full rig winning handicap, Optimist green fleet champion Kristen Henshaw, her brother Joshua coming second in the laser 4.7’s and Ross Brunner ever improving in the laser radial coming 5th, optimist gold Mason Haynes 4th and Jayden Prosser 5th. The Soling State Championships were held as a part of the Easter Regatta. This included a team from NSW. State Champion was Phil Smith and his crew.
The Mandurah Offshore Fishing & Sailing Club would like to thank all event sponsors for their support.
Thank you to the Mandurah Offshore Fishing & Sailing Club for this story.
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