Bendigo Yacht Club got this season’s sailing and competition under way with events over the weekends of September 31 to October 2 with their ‘Ice Breaker’ Regatta, and Official Season opening on Saturday October 8.
The Ice Breaker, run over three days for the first time, taking advantage of Dan Andrew’s Grand Final public holiday, saw three races run back-to-back each day in ideal conditions: Lake Eppalock at full capacity, mostly sunny days of around 18 degrees and a consistent NW breeze. Normally for Off-the-Beach boats only, the Ice Breaker for the first time included Trailer Sailers. Around 18 boats faced the starters for each race on all three days, but quite a few of the smaller OTB’s pulled out of the last race on the Sunday when the breeze reached around 20kmh…..Eppalock gets pretty rough pretty quickly at that!
Opening day saw a good rally of members hear the season officially opened by the City of Bendigo’s Mayor, Councillor Rod Fyffe and visiting MPs. The sound of the pipes echoed across the water with the stirring music of the Bendigo Highland Pipe Band adding colour and atmosphere to the beautiful shores of Lake Eppalock. Again, with about 18 boats on the water, sunny conditions and a firm easterly breeze, the first of the season’s Trophy Race series was enjoyed by all.
The Club is preparing for a busy season with the high water levels, and invites sailors of all types of yachts to join in the fun. Visit the web site for more information. www.bendigo.yachting.org.au
– Ian Wallis
