Australian Lightweight Sharpie National Championships - Perth

Many years back I sailed Australian Lightweight Sharpies, I still sail, but now on the bigger cruisers, you miss the thrill of the dingy though. The national championships were just held in Perth, Western Australia, held at the Mounts Bay Sailing Club, the club I sailed from in the 1980s and early 1990s. Forty two yachts lined up for the start of race one, a crowed start line saw a little action with most boats getting off to a hotly contested start, if you aren't up there for the start - you can kiss the rest of the race goodbye.

The fleet splits with some working south and the rest heading west for the first windward leg, the first start was a general recall with too many boats over the line, the second start was a black flag, that is, if you blow the start then you are disqualified - unfortunately, six boats headed back to the club after breaking the second start.

Looking pretty relaxed on the reach, with the wind at a steady 13 knots, the rides didn't get too out of control with no boat going for a swim mid race - a couple came close though.

Working the wind shifts is the key to any race under sail, the pointing ability of these yachts is pretty good, I noticed they have hardly changed since I sailed my last race on a sharpie.

The fleet split after the start with most boats heading west and into the south, the westerly work proved to be best for the first work to windward.

The reach wasn't that tight but when things go wrong, all the hard work is lost when you watch the rest of the fleet sail past you.

Getting a little interesting as a gust hits, going for a swim mid-race is not only embarrassing, it costs you places and pride.

A luffing dual between this pair ensured an interesting tussle, but as with all luffing duals; other boats slipped through underneath their line as they focused too much on the individual dual and less on actual race.

Running downwind from the windward mark with the wind behind them, the gybe on the mark tests the crew work.

Rounding the wing mark, a gybe and then tight reach towards the bottom mark before working back up to the windward mark.

Setting the spinnaker pole proved to be fairly simple in the light winds, the leading boats kept their spinnakers filled during all maneuvers, the crew work on the leading boats was exceptional.

Perth city in the background, this older style yacht is off the pace, it is still great to be out there competing.

The leading three boats heading towards the bottom mark, fourth and fifth were along way behind these guys unable to mount any challenges.

This was a good afternoon for most, not all got the placings they were after but competing is the attraction here.