Fun, frenzy on water

Club Marine Geographe Bay Race Week wrapped up on Friday after a week of on and off-water action.

The yachting regatta attracted local, interstate and international sailors and crew racing on about 40 yachts.

Race director Nigel Chesterfield-Evans said the race week was a great success.

“People from Perth and over east were amazed that a laid-back attitude and fun on-shore could be mixed with such intense racing,” he said.

“The comedy night was a huge success and the club volunteers were inspiring.

“The big news is that 38 of the 40 boats have said they intend to enter next year ... the other two are doing a lap of Tassie.”

Racing was tight across the week, with six boats in the division 1 final finishing within 2 minutes of each other after three hours of racing.

Stand Aside took first place in division 1 followed closely by Geographe Bay Yacht Club sailors in Twist-n-Shout. In division 2, En Garde came in first and Exhil-R-8 and Empty Pockets followed closely behind on equal points.

Despite leading the regatta on Thursday morning, Busselton yacht Satchmo fell to fourth place in division 3, leaving Fremantle Sailing Club’s Napea to take the trophy. In division 4, FSC’s Tilt took the honours followed by Heaven Can Wait. Just two boats fought for the title in division 5, with Sunbird recording the best time.

Chesterfield-Evans won The Spirit of the Regatta voted by sailors.