FLYING THE FLAG

HAMILTON ISLAND RACE WEEK

Team Secret Mens Business (SMB) is again flying the flag for the Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia at Hamilton Island Race Week. This year’s team has set a goal to win the event in the IRC. Tim Cowen continues his role as Boat Manager. Since 2000, Tim has played a crucial role in arranging the logistics of transport to and from sailing venues around the world and plays a critical role on the boat sailing in various positions and being the boat’s specialist in sail selection and rig tuning. Young CYCSA member Josh Hinks (Mid Bowman) started his sailing journey in Optis, 420s and Lasers and has played a pivotal role in training participants in the Youth Sailing Foundation Elliotts. Grinder Steve Dunn’s experience in 125s, 14 foot skiffs, Etchells (State Champion) and in Caillin Howard’s Aiken, has added another professional dimension to the team. Current SA Sailor of the Year, David Snoad (Sharpie National and Etchell State Champion) joins the team again as Runner Trimmer. With seven Hobarts under his belt, Snoady offers the team a strong voice and tactical support for skipper/owner. This year’s Australian IRC Championships will be the 16th time an SMB yacht has been taken to Hamilton Island to compete. Geoff started his sailing in Holdfast Trainers at Grange Sailing Club and has sailed in 24 Hobart races, winning the 2010 race. Keeping Geoff honest will be Nick Bice (Crew Coordinator/ Relief Helmsman). Another Holdfast Trainer junior at PLYC, Bicey has competed in numerous Hobarts, two Volvo Ocean Races and was selected to be Shore Manager for the Volvo Ocean Racing Organisation. Navigating the challenging course again will be Steve Kemp. Kempy’s experience is priceless and includes 19 Sydney Hobarts, three Fastnets and two Admirals Cups. Growing up in Lincoln, Kempy had numerous successes in Herons, Lasers, Sharpies and Solings and remarkably sailed his first Adelaide Lincoln Race at the age of 14! Other members of the 2022 team who will feature in future articles include Adam Common (Pit), Chester Armstrong (Bowman), Nick Egnot-Johnson, (Tactician), Billy Merrington (Main/Strategist), Richard Fidock (Runners/Boat Maintenance), Steve Dunn (Grinder), and Jamie Beavis (Grinder). We wish them success,

Photo by Down Under Sail

Greg Allison Sailing Operations Manager

The crew of Kerry, Helen Kearney and Jenny Geytenbeek from RSAYS were supportive, so we were off. Armed with Elliott crew, sheets supplied by our new Sailing Operations Manager, Greg Allison, and an email of helpful ‘how to’ notes from Helen, we decided we had nothing to lose and lots of fun to be had. After a practise session on Friday, the racing consisted of a round robin format, with six crews and six windward leeward races over Saturday and Sunday. Saturday was a bit up and down and our goal for Sunday was to have one perfect race, which we managed in race five. Unfortunately, no podium for us but close racing with the three bottom boats on equal points with the last race to go. Overall, we were really pleased. I didn’t turn the wrong way or crash into anyone or lose crew overboard as crocodile fodder. We got three seconds, with some great starts. Kerry was fantastic organising all the spinnaker work, allowing me to concentrate on steering. We loved it and intend to be sailing as often as we can with the Twisted Sisters in the Elliotts in the women’s regattas that are popping up all over the country.

Mary Ann Harvey