KING OF THE GULF REGATTA

This regatta, jointly run by the Multihull Association of South Australia and the Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron, continues to grow and so does its reputation with a record 38 entries this year. The big increase was in the monohull division with 16 yachts representing both the CYCSA and the RSAYS competing in some spectacular racing. This regatta can only get bigger and eventually nominations will be capped to keep it the fun, personable event it is. The very important social side of the event was impacted by COVID regulations and all functions were booked out with, unfortunately, many missing out. The regular night activities in the biggest marquee that could fit on the lawn were limited to 150 people with tables both inside and outside. The local Port Vincent community joined in with the Coast Guard providing the BBQ for the Welcome Function and catering the breakfasts, the Port Vincent Sailing Club catered a Roast Night at the local institute and the Bowling Club hosted the Presentation Dinner at their clubrooms. However, down to the serious stuff. The Passage Race over was interesting to say the least with the wind just not cooperating. Principal Race Officer Jock Ross eventually abandoned all divisions in the race but two Division Two yachts, Musetta and Silver Gull, defied logic and the PRO and continued to race. Both yachts finished the race to Port Vincent and were awarded unofficial bottles of wine and the skippers, Kevin Kelly and Rob Hutson respectively, accepted the win with enthusiasm and cheekily claimed first and fastest honours for the race which was appreciated by the big crowd. In the regatta the racing was extraordinary close in all divisions with count backs required in the Cruising Division, Division Two Racing, and the South Australian State Multihull Championships. Credit must go Peter Trenorden from the Squadron for his efforts in ensuring all boat handicaps across all clubs were appropriate.

Marnico and G-Wizz

Marnico

Venom

The crown for the ‘King of the Gulf’ monohull was bestowed upon Graeme Footer with Marnico from the CYCSA winning by half a point over past winner Mal Denton in Blue Diamond from the Squadron. A past winner Colin Doudy with Circe from the Squadron was just points behind. Marnico enjoyed some close racing during the regatta with Greg Patten’s G-Wizz from the CYCSA and Tony Foster’s Trieste from the Squadron in particular and being able to drop one race helped enormously. The multihull ‘King of the Gulf’ crown, which was held in Victorian hands, was returned to a South Australian and RSAYS head with the remarkably consistent Geoff Kneebone in his Farrier trimaran Tearaway. Carbon Credit, skippered by Peter Hawker from the Squadron came second and Craig Unthank from Victoria on Sknot third. In the South Australian Multihull Championships Craig Unthank from Victoria on Sknot took out first place with Tearaway second and Rob Remilton on Wilparine 3 third. It was perhaps a just reward for Craig and his crew as they had waited at the South Australian state border till midnight so they could pass into South Australia and then race onto Port Vincent with no time to spare. The new Division Two Monohull Racing Division was also decided on a count back with past winner Fifi V, a Noelex 25 skippered by Brian Lawrie from the Port Vincent Sailing Club, just edging out Silver Gull with Rob Hutson from the CYCSA followed by Misetta with Kevin Kelly from the Squadron The King of the Gulf committee will seek to grow this division which is perfect for trailer-sailers and smaller keel boats on the beautiful flat waters of Port Vincent. The Cruising Division was taken by Peter Hastwell and his crew from the Squadron on Witchcraft winning on a count back from David Eldridge on Aquitaine, also from the Squadron. The racing in this division was extraordinarily close in all races and will be another growth area where the two-sail limit is ideally suited to twilight monohull and multihull cruising yachts who just want to have a social crack at regatta racing. The Passage Race back was blessed with some wind and in the multihulls Peter Hawker from the CYCSA with Carbon Credit was first with Tearaway second and Gerald Valk from the Squadron with Crosshair third. In the monohulls Brenton Pegler from the CYCSA with Playground was first with Marnico second and John Herbert from the Squadron with Stealth third. Cruising Division saw David Rawnsley from the Squadron on Four Seventy take out first place with Aquitaine second and John Muirhead from the Squadron on Cicala third. The event could not have been conducted without the volunteer race and event officials. The Principal Race Officer, Jock Ross, and his team conducted a very professional series under trying conditions where both Macro and Miss Robyn had technical issues. This team included Rose Ross, Neil Dell, Rick Ottaway, Peter Boyd, Peter Hutchinson, Roger Oaten, Adam South and Ross McOmish. Events like the King of the Gulf can only continue with such generous support from these volunteers. Thanks also to the ten volunteer COVID marshals who kept us all in order during the functions. The event was huge fun and there was great camaraderie between all the participants and thanks go to the Multihull Association and the Squadron for their organisation.

David Eldridge (RSAYS) and Gay Footer (CYCSA)