A reduced fleet size, (probably owing to the forecast unseasonably strong south easterly winds, cold temps and rain squalls), took to the brown waters of Lake Cootharaba for Monomasters 2022.
The start of race one was postponed due to a rain squall preventing the boats from even getting off the beach. Unfortunately for the Corsair campers, they didn’t know this and fanged at warp speed past the yacht club to a huge cheer from the beach only to have to sit around in 30 knots waiting for the committee to remove the postponement…
Two races were held on Saturday afternoon with winds ranging from a pleasant 15 knots up to 30 knots in the squalls. Heaps of thrills and spills and for the Vanuatu boys in Epic, a capsize and mast damage saw their regatta end early. Kate in “bluey” the laser and Justin, Emily & Annabelle in Corsair “none the wiser” has good tussles all day.
Sunday saw three races held back-to-back in similar strong condition to Saturday just with less rain squalls. Winds were a shifty 15-22 knots and all three races saw reasonably similar results to day one.
Kate took out the coveted “best female on the water” prize and was thrilled to receive her prize pack.
For some unknown reason all the Corsair sailors decided to skip presentation and instead climbed up to the summit of Mt Cooroora. Kate decided to give the mountain a miss and went to the pub instead – wise choice!
Monomasters really is one of the best flat water, non river sailing regattas in South East Queensland. For the river sailors it provides an opportunity to really perfect your wind shift reading skills as tide and shallow aren’t a factor.
Side note:- All campers turning up with a boat trailer and a Tweed Valley sticker seemed to get a daily SMS from the camp ground reminding them about the excessive noise rules – no doubt as a result of Craig’s stella electronic keyboard solo’s from last year….oh and Holans Ed Sheeran Bongo cover with backing track…
Justin Johnson