To wrap up here is my view on the past season - looking at what each boat has achieved. Any further comments welcome !
Mr Freeze - Club Champion on the long course. Had a mixed season by their standards. Improved as the season went on - and performed at the right time in the club championship. At the nationals and states had highs and lows - I am sure that Todd, Hayden and Brad will be looking forward to more consistent performances next year.
Skulker - Club Champion on short course. John and Lachie have really done well this season. In addition to club racing they got 5th in the state titles and 1st on handicap. Its great to watch them in a strong breeze. I think they will give the interclub races a push next season
Poseidon - Won the mono pointscore. Peter, Jess and Zoe were there every week - and improved consistently during the season. This is what it takes to win the pointscore. With Jess moving to Sharpies next year Zoe will not have to share - and a new boat should keep the improvement going.
Mainiac - consistent and gradually getting faster - some good results at the nationals and second in the states. Pushed Mr Freeze all season and won as many as they didn't. Needs to improve upwind pace in stronger breezes
Wilful Intent - Kian and Amelia keep improving - they were in the hunt for the pointscore all season. In the right conditions can now push Skulker along upwind.
Pleasure and Pain - changed from Road kill after the nationals. Won the junior national title and did very well at the CHS regatta. Alex has now moved on to sail with Dante and Jess is learning well as sheethand. Broke two masts at the nationals - must be some sort of record !
Southern Cross - Bob and various crew have come to grips with the Sharpie very quickly. They are showing good upwind speed - and will improve quickly downwind. They will be on the pace next season.
Blur - didn't really sail at the club during the season but worth a mention as they will be regulars next season. Showed some good pace in the Batemans Bay regatta - their first race as a team
Prawn Star - Robert and Elliott didn't like the stronger winds much to start off with but went well in the lighter breezes. Went faster each time they sailed. Achieved a fastest time in the last race of the season.
Blowflies - Sam and Kevin were always close to the front. Sam also sailed at a lot of 505 regattas over Australia. Continual tweaking of the boat based on current 505 thinking is expected to pay dividends going in to next season.
The Ribwich - Dean and Angus started sailing the 505 half way through the season - and could not attend regularly. When they were on the water showed real signs of speed particularly upwind. The boat they got came without any settings so it was a bit of a learning curve. I think they will really give Sam and Kevin a run for their money next season.
Italian Stallions - what a name for a boat with two teenagers on board ! Dante started the year on his Flying Ant although we didn't see much of him at the club. He won the nationals ! Then he and Alex teamed up on the 420 and seem to be learning how to sail it very well. To cap things off they have been accepted into the NSWIS sailing squad which is really great.
Windandsea - we didn't see Neil and Simon until half way through the season - but when they did arrive they continued as they left off the season before - very fast downwind and excellent to watch ! Hopefully next season they will be able to sail more consistently
Intensity - Dino didn't get on the water that much during the season - preferring to watch Dante. When he did sail he always had a smile on his face so must have enjoyed it !
Hot Spots - Scott and Harrison spent most of the season just doing the morning junior racing - which they did very well at. Later in the season they ventured out on to the afternoon course and performed very well. They have shown to many of the other advanced juniors that the afternoon sailing isn't that daunting - hopefully a few more will follow them next season
There were many other boats sailed in the mono fleet on one or two occasions - all are of course welcome !