Racing was very competitive, at all ends of the fleet of 85 boats, including  2 sailors from PNG, one from sweden, and One from Queensland.

The WA weather was kind- moderate windy easterlies in the morning 12-18knt, lightening as the day went on. light sea breeze sunday afternoon to cap off a fantastic weekend of competition.

Very competitive Gold fleet, 6 potential winners of the event going into the last session sunday afternoon. Sean Ott (Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron) sailed consitently to win the open Championship, Sam Gilmour (Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club), under pressure in the last race, moved up a place tosecond, and win the WA state Champs from Paris Stowell (RFBYC) who was third in the Open and runner up in the WA State Championships. Matt Wearn (Royal Perth YC) finished 3rd in the WA states.

In the WA state champs 4th was Chris Smith, in his last regatta- now off to 420’s and 5th Matts Koelemij, also off to 420’s. 6th was Alex Stephens from Fremantle Sailing Club, 7th Alex Knight (RPYC and RFBYC), 8th Douglas Campbell (RPYC and last years silver fleet winner), 9th Astrid Hansen from RPYC in her last regatta in Opti’s-moving to lasers, and 10th Eamon Robertshaw from Fremantle SC.

Silver fleet was a bundle of fun for beginner and younger sailors. Racing was a very short course, just off the jetty at RPYC, which became a popular spectator viewing point, and not that often in yachting supporters can cheer on competitors, the jetty was very noisy, especially when there was a capsize, or solid collision!. Luckily protest are not allowed in the silver fleet racing, despite many such calls by sailors and spectators! 11 races were completed over the 2 day event, with placegetters well spread amongst the fleet.

The event was won by Jonathan Knight (RPYC, RFBYC), second Tom McCracken (Mounts Bay SC) third Lewin Carey (RFBYC)

Awards were made after each session- (lunchtime and evening) encouragement awards to those who did penalty turns, helped other competitors, etc. approx 10 encouragement awards-very well received by all (+parents) , and 10 raffle awards (raffle very very popular). The sailing spirit and cameraderie was excellent and many kids made new friends.
Sunday morning was the big race- with all competitors racing off one start line- the Milo Cup (promotional race only-no scoring).  The prize was the biggest tin of Milo, for each of the silver and gold fleet winners. Won by Sam Gilmour in gold fleet, and Jonathan Knight in Silver Fleet.

Presentations over dinner at RPYC capped off a great family weekend.
We had the life members Chris and Fiona Kelly, and RPYC Rear Commodore Mark Fitzhardingetogether with Elise Rechicci (olympic 470 campaigner and former oppy sailor) to present medals for each sailor competing.
Sponsors were fantastic- oziopti, sailpower marine, quantum sails, ullman sails, sail shades, the Gilmour family, Knight family, Verandah Wines Pemberton, Nestle.