After a brief hiccup in 2020, the Western Australian State Flying Fifteen Championships returned to their traditional Easter time-slot and the fleet was summons to appear at Geraldton Yacht Club for a fabulous social program interspersed with 7 somewhat serious races on the sparkling waters of, the aptly named, Champion Bay.

Geraldton Yacht Club, having had a few lean years, are now a club on the rebound with recent refurbishments to the clubhouse, a strong core of members and sponsors and a junior training program that will continue their growth. The social functions, fish barbeque and presentation dinner, were a fabulous team effort by caterers and club members alike.

Twenty-four boats assembled for the first 2 races on Good Friday having driven from Perth although Wayne and Ela North came from the deep south of the state, Albany, which is a further 5 hours driving.

Races 1 and 2 were sailed in a light south-easterly that flicked south just enough to frustrate race officers and competitors alike. Nick Jerwood and Brad Sheridan from SoPYC/FSC opened their defence of the title they won last year with 2 bullets (horns?) with Greg Tonnison and Mike Dunbar, also from SoPYC second in both races.

Day 2, Saturday, and the light shifty south-easterlies continued to keep everyone on their toes with several starts broken off during the start sequence. Liberal use of the U flag kept the fleet behaving (mostly) and ensured all boats got off the water before dark so the sailors didn’t get too cold and the beer too warm. Two more wins for Nick and Brad and one win for Greg and Mike. David Yu and Chris Nelson from RFBYC kept in the hunt with a range of seconds and thirds while Phillipa Packer and Dean McAullay (RFBYC) did likewise and were a couple of points back. John Wilson and Matt Summers (SoPYC) and Tim Walker and Alan ( Plonky ) Sharpe (SoPYC) both put a blemish on their scorecards with a UFD in Race 4.

On Easter Sunday, the last 2 races, Races 6 and 7 were sailed in a moderate southerly which brought a smile to some of the heavier crews but Nick and Brad still won both heats with David and Chris second in the early race and Hamish Carnachan and Peter Mudford (RFBYC) getting into some late form with a second in the final race. Andy and Ann Knowles (SoPYC) showed great form to be a clear first round the top mark the first time in Race 6.

Final results showed Nick and Brad winning the Championship for the third successive time in fairly convincing fashion having to drop a second. Greg and Mike toiled hard to finish second with David and Chris third only 4 points behind.

The consistency series was, as you would expect, a closely fought affair, with locals Peter Groom and John Muscio bringing home the chocolates just ahead of David and Mary-Anne Reid from SoPYC, with another local boat, crewed by Mark Millman and Arron Parker just one point further back in third place overall.

The FFIWA President's award for the series went to Wayne and Ela North from Albany, for making the effort, as new members to the class, to travel 800km to attend the event, and showing great enthusiasm throughout.

Click here for the final series results or visit the following links:

• Final Result for International Flying Fifteen Championship
• Final Result for International Flying Fifteen Consistency 

A full gallery of photos taken through the event by local volunteer, Desmond Hill, is available from https://bit.ly/3dOzqa6 .  Des can be contacted on 0437 702 056 or at ijuswannafly@gmail.com
Selected (lower resolution) photos are also available for viewing on the gallery on this website - see the following links

• WA 2021 State Title Photos - On Shore
• WA 2021 State Title Photos - Day 1
• WA 2021 State Title Photos - Day 2
• WA 2021 State Title Photos - Day 3
• WA 2021 State Title Photos - Presentations

Thanks to the event sponsors whose contributions helped to keep costs to competitors down and assisted in making the regatta a huge success.  These included major sponsor Chimere Pearls as well as Race Sponsors, Peter Groom Settlements, Refuel Australia, Axium Industries, Warren Taylor Homes and Rigters Supermarkets Group.

Key people to thank for making a successful regatta are Regatta Chairman Mark Millman and Race Officer John Rooke who took everything in their stride and made it happen.  Thanks also to the many volunteers who assisted both on and off the water to make the event a success.