Centreboard Race Series 2019/2020 Season

The 2019/2020 Season Centreboard Race Series has sadly come to end but what a great summer for youth sailing participation at MHYC!

We have seen some fantastic racing across three separate classes in a range of conditions! With COVID-19 putting a pause on any end of seasons awards or presentations we wanted to wrap up the season and look back at the progress that has been made.

This year saw some extreme weather resulting in two abandoned race days, along with one race day lost to COVID-19, meant we completed a total of 12 out of 21 scheduled races. All races went smoothly with thanks to the host of Parent volunteers and the Race Management of MHYC Sailing Manager David Staley. We could not have done it without the support of our volunteers, so they have our upmost gratitude! If you are interested in getting involved, please keep an eye out for information about learning the skills to become a race management volunteer.

Now let’s look back at how the season unfolded…

20th October 2019

The first round of the 2019-2020 MHYC Centreboard Club Championship was sunny and mild with a moderate and consistent south-easterly – a perfect way to start racing for the new season.

Ten Optimists, three Club 420s and a 29er were on the water for three races commencing at 2pm. Ben Crafoord took the lead in the Division 3 Optimist fleet with a 4-1-1 scoreline, only ahead of Jakob Marks on tie-break and with Miles Greenwood in 3rd.

Thank you to the parents and coaches who assisted with race management and safety.

3rd November 2019

Centreboard Racing Round 2 - races 4, 5 & 6.

Some interesting racing conditions for the 15 strong Optis, 420’s and 29er’s which saw only one race completed before the RO Dion abandoned the remaining races. Well done to all competitors and volunteers for getting out there and competing.

17th November 2019

A moderate to fresh and shifty south-easterly provided some challenges for the Optimist and 29er fleets, the final session of MHYC Centreboard Club Championship before Christmas. There were some fast downhill rides on the Balmoral racetrack, but there was quite a bit of swimming and bailing going on too.

Jake Barnabas claimed two wins in the 29er, with Archie Cropley taking the final race. In the Optimists, Zara Marks was first home in race 7 and Sebastian Wegner claimed the race 8 win. After 9 scheduled races, Jake Barnabas currently leads the 29er point score and Zara Marks is on top in the Optimists. Many thanks to Mark McLeay, Matt Marks and Michael Giffney for race management.

9th February 2020

With a gale forecast and lots of rain, the Centreboard Club Championship Racing has been abandoned.

23rd February 2020

After the races in early February were abandoned due to the severe weather, the MHYC Centreboard Club Championship series continued today.

Three races were completed for the Optimist and 29er divisions and two for the 420s. The breeze was a gentle North Easterly of 8 knots building to 12 knots during the afternoon.

15th March 2020

A great day of moderate to fresh breezes for the centreboard club championship series today. Three more races completed for Optimist, 420 and 29er. Thanks to everyone who helped out.

5th April 2020

Abandoned due to COVID-19 restrictions.