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The Sunshine Coast Radio Sailing Club was selected to host the 2023 DF65 and DF95 National Championships at Lake Kawana from 1st to 7th June. It was the clubs largest hosting event, and in classes they do not regularly sail – but who would have known….

An absolute success, with a crowd of eager volunteers (many pictured left), absolute experience running the event with PRO Bill Clancy and Derick Warne calmly running the pointy end of things with course settings etc. A multitude of other volunteers on board as well for scoring, rescue boat operations and observing. So many in fact, that no competitor was required to assist with the observing duties and instead was able to enjoy watching racing when not on the water themselves or able to tend to their own yacht.

The first day of the DF65’s started with very light conditions, with A+ rigs for all. Three fleets with 40 competitors from Tas, NSW, SA, Qld and NZ. Two skippers briefings prior to racing. The first to explain to those skippers unaware of the HMS system and how it worked, including their ultimate responsibility to keep up to date with when they were to be on the water, and the other laying down the expectations of both the PRO and the ADFRSA in regards to the spirit of sailing. Six races were completed on the first day, with the training partners Mike Jeffries, Andrew Gibbs and Daniel Bergan showing the way in first, second and third respectively. Mathew Gray and Dean Horton rounded out the top 5.

_{Solid start - 759 maybe a little early?}

Day two brought out very light conditions, and after an excellent and thorough skippers briefing, things soon got under way, with another six completed. The field starting to spread out a little with skippers finding it easy to slip back a heat, but rather difficult to promote back up again. Mike Jefferys and Daniel Bergan held the top two spots at this stage on 38 and 40 points respectively, with Lisa Blackwood (46), Dean Horton (48) and Andrew Gibbs (49) rounding out the top 5.

Day three completed just another 5 races, with an earlier finish and small delay at the start of the day, bringing the event to 17 races in total. Mike Jefferys took a stranglehold of the event on this day with three wins and two seconds to amazingly finish with a lower score than the close of day 2!!!

Mike easily taking out the 2023 DF65 championship in the end on 30 points, with Daniel Bergan taking second position (59 points) from Dean Horton in third (66 points), Andrew Gibbs 4th (69 points) and Lisa Blackwood 5th (73 points). Masters Champion was awarded to Lisa Blackwood (73pts) and Grand Master to Ian Gordon (288pts).

_{Competitors of the DF65 Australian Championship}

Results of the DF65 championships can be found at by clicking here 

After a lay-day for those competing in both events, the DF95 championship got away in similar style. Expert set up and communication to skippers on both the HMS system and the required skipper behaviours. Always great to sett he ground rules right from the start. This time though, we had a blustery breeze, requiring B rig for the day.
28 competitors in this one (one extra state represented, with Chris Ryan (Vic) competing as well), with a two fleet HMS system, also meaning a few more races per day for us all.

Nine races completed on the first day, with Mathew Gray the early clubhouse leader on 20 points, from John Musgrave (23) in second, Rob Black (26 points) third, Lisa Blackwood (34 points) fourth and Peter Ross (37) rounding out the top 5.

Day two had a return to the warmer weather and lighter winds, with all competitors opting for A rig for the duration. Another 9 races completed with some spectacular sailing. Small mistakes were penalised heavily with the closeness of competition. A bad buoy rounding or yacht contact had you likely dropping from A to B fleet real quick.

Some excitement with after the 7th race with Lisa Blackwoods yacht lighting up and burning a big hole in the side of the yacht. Some quick thinking by the rescue boat operator limited the damage to the hull only and some quick repairs had it back on the water to complete the day, before the hull was replaced with a spare kindly donated by Daniel Bergan, so Lisa could finish the championship. Mat Gray consolidated his lead from day 1 with another fine performance, first position again with 40 points. John Musgrave easily holding second on 63 points with Phil Page (79 points) in third, Lisa Blackwood (92 points) in 4th and Erin Conza (101 points) in fifth.

Day three finished with a further 7 races, and we had quite a rotation of places throughout. Racing was very tight, and the selection of the right shifts on the water proved critical. Mathew Gray finished as he started, with another fantastic day, winning the 2023 DF95 Championship with 52 points. Second place was Lisa Blackwood on 97 points, with John Musgrave winning third place on 101 points. Fourth place went to Rob Black (149 points) with Phil Page in fifth (150 points).

Of note in this championship, was that 20 of the 28 competitors had an A Fleet podium finish, owing to the true competitiveness of the class. The overall behaviour and spirit of sailing was exemplary and an absolute model of behaviour to continue to strive for.

The friendliness and camaraderie between competitors was nothing short of amazing. More times than I can count on my hands did competitors rush to another’s aid for quick repair – to see if they can help to get them back on the water, along with helping others with tuning advice and tips. Notably, DF95 Champion, Mat Gray, assisted no less than 20 competitors with advice, and tuning of their own yachts in between his own race preparations. Such is the standard that is encouraged and championed in these regattas.

To the committee of Sunshine Coast Radio Sailing Club, on behalf of the competitors, the ADFRSA and ARYA, I’d like to thank you for putting on such a superb event. From the initial event planning, the volunteer support, the catering (Adele Pearce and crew), the professional way the event was run with the PRO, Bill Clancy, his very active course officer, Derick, and boat crew (Roger and the rest of the crew), all the observers and the finishing/scoring staff. So well put together and run, and very appreciated by all competitors.

_{Competitors of the DF95 Australian Championship}

For those who aren’t yet aware, The Qld Radio Yachting Youtube page has a lot of footage of the event, located at https://www.youtube.com/@QldRadioYachting/videos

Similarly, Richard Brady also has drone footage from the event, at https://www.youtube.com/@richardbrady4211/videos

Report Courtesy: Kyle Stewart   Photos Courtesy: Nick Lindsley

DF95 Results