After a few warm up races the day before, Sunday’s racing began with recovery management after drinking the club dry in a fairly typical Sharpie night. Some chose windsurfing, others the more traditional breakfast bakery run to shake off the dust – none were successful.
While the rain held off, the breeze began to build, class President Jesse Mitton, sailing SA 801 Pitter Patter, thought he’d entered the Milang to Meningie Race and headed off on his own part way through Race 1, while Mark Soulsby and team, on SA 919 Shaderunner, took the bullet.
With the wind kicking up a gear for Race 2, Mal Higgins got the better of the fleet and took a win that would secure the overall victory after racing was abandoned due to strong winds. The fleet was starting to struggle and the beer was calling.
The annual long weekend pilgrimage to a country club was a real hit for the Sharpies again this year, with a great weekend away in the picturesque town of Milang. A big thanks went out to the Milang Regatta Club and Commodore Nick Wotton for hosting the event, with great racing and top-notch hospitality.
Scroll down for the full Photo Epic, showcasing some of Jack Fletcher’s best images that help to tell the story of the day that was…
Luke Stephens shook the dust off with a morning windsurf Classic Milang shacks, school holidays was in full swing this weekend Not a bad spot for a sail – Milang Regatta Club Contemplating a grey and windy day, will the rain stay away? Tom Manhood giving dust removal tips after years of experience, notice the Iced Coffee kids Focus would once again take the win Jesse unsure if sailing is such a good idea after last night Double checking the kite pack, nothing more embarrassing than an upside down spinnaker Sam Sanderson taking control of the pre-race preparation, a well oiled machine on Focus Luke Stephens showing the Sharpie spirit fetching the young lads ball If you want it done right, do it yourself Luke and Nick getting the longboat ready for battle RopeCo, rumour has it they sponsored the event by buying all remaining Bar Karate Sailor’s Lagers an hour before close on Saturday night First wave of the day for Luke Stephens The Focus team out early to check conditions Flat and fast for Soz and team Shaderunner chasing hard in Race 1 Boat handling was key at the tight mark rounding on a short fast course Mark Soulsby trying to go the long way around It was a tight battle between the top three Flat(ish) water got the Sharpies humming up hill Tight battles in short course racing Harry checking the depth for the PRO No fancy tiller extension needed here Jesse and team having a break after returning from a cruise to Meningie Longboats uphill in a solid breeze, doesn’t get much better It was grey old day but Sharpie sailing always brighten things up Final blast to the finish of Race 2 in a building breeze Harry focused on the important things while Nicci tries not to drown untangling his handy work Nicci Edwards clearly the only one smart enough to fix the problem Classic Milang fibro shacks line the water front The classic timber Sharpie trailer, you haven’t sailed Sharpies until you’ve had one of these Old boat, new boat. Its all the same amount of fun Harry Fisher glad to be done Search and rescue or media boat? The brand new boat was full of the latest tech, but it still drowned us Milang Regatta Club put on a great weekend with the standard country hospitality Sharpie veterans Mal Higgins and Andrew Chisholm have won more sharpie races than I can count Jason Clark called the shots up front for Wenty El Presidente Jesse Mitton happy to be back on the beach In case you’re wondering, the Sprint Series trophy is the transom from an old Sharpie Second place overall with a bullet in Race 1 As always the forwardhand and sheethand doing all the heavy lifting
