The 26th Annual Commodores race started out with grey sky’s, a choppy sea and stiff 20 knot breeze. A majority of the fleet chose reefed mains and conservative headsails. Predictably the racing boys (Swagman and Constellation) tore off on a fast port start with full mainsails. SuperStar followed close on their heals for a while but all three were closed on (and SuperStar passed) at the first mark by Perie Banou III, whose skipper obviously chose to navigate as well as sail.

Constellation turned up the heat on the second lap and led the rest of the way to the line. Swagman finished a close second, both boats clearly demonstrating the advantage of the Mark II hull and rudder configuration. Perie Banou was not far off the pace, but lost ground after losing a sail track when spilling a reef in the mainsail on the second last leg. This gave SuperStar a chance to creep close enough to take second place on handicap.

But results are not everything in this race. Fremantle Sailing Club, as always, laid on an excellent reception prior to the race and well deserved tea and cakes at the presentations. The Commodores and skippers received bottles of bubbly for their efforts and the winning Commodore the perpetual Commodores Trophy.

Andrew Waldby, Swagman, was also presented with the inaugural David & Kathleen Walters Memorial Trophy. The trophy consists a scale model of half a S&S34 hull beautifully mounted and now to be inscribed with the names of the winning yachts in future Commodores Races.

Results

Best Start: Swagman

Fastest: Constellation

Past Results

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