Back:  Classes > Sailability SA

S.A. Sailability State Championship 2005

The 2005 South Australian Sailability State Championships were held at Port Adelaide Sailing Club on the weekend of l2-l3 March with 22 competitors from four clubs in SA and one from Victoria taking part. 

The racing was conducted in three divisions over a triangular course in the upper reach of the Port River, adjacent to the PASC clubhouse.   Two races were conducted on Saturday afternoon in a gentle (10 knots) sea breeze from the south-west, then on Sunday another four races,  with one in the morning cancelled due to lack of wind, and the last three after lunch, in freshening south-west breezes. 

The contestants themselves all made the work of the many volunteer organisers worthwhile and thanks must go to all who made the Championships so successful.   Special thanks go to the Race Officer (Bob Schahinger) and his dedicated crew, to YSA for the “on-water” umpire (Lisa Bettcher), to the team of power-boat operators who set courses, marshalled competitors and watched over their on-water safety. Ashore, the hard-working pontoon crew under Noel Porter’s very experienced guidance (20 wheelchairs and frames each session) earned our thanks, as did Kate Jennings and Chris Bigwood for ensuring that everyone was correctly registered on both days, and also the catering staff under Helen Millard who kept the food, tea and coffee coming for two days. The catering staff included also the PASC 'Outcast' crew, who supported the ladies in creating an outstanding Championship Dinner on Saturday evening. 

Awards presentation after the last race was a very social affair, unexpectedly recorded by a visiting Chinese television crew recording for Chinese World News. Sometime in the near future, Sailability SA seems destined to have international TV exposure!  

Regatta medallions were presented to all sailors and crew by Her Worship the Mayor of Port Adelaide Enfield, Fiona Barr. The City of Port Adelaide Enfield were a valued sponsor of the Championships.   

The Paraplegic & Quadriplegic Association Perpetual Trophy for 2.3 Access Dinghy was presented by David Fabro, President of Paraquad. This was won by Chris Riordan of Adelaide Sailing Club. Martin Waller of Sugarloaf Sailing Club, Victoria came second  and Jacquie Ackers of Adelaide Sailing Club third. 

The Yachting SA Perpetual Trophy for 303 class was presented by YSA president, Allen Walters, with Lorraine Johncock and Beth Hammond of Port Lincoln Yacht Club first, Justin Vandentouw and Michelle Anesbury of Adelaide Sailing Club second, and Paul Sweetman and Cyril Tooze of Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club third.   The 303 was the predominant class with l5 entrants. 

The SPARC Disability Foundation Perpetual Trophy for Liberty class was this year dedicated to Andrew Hartley who sadly passed away several weeks prior to the regatta.   The trophy was presented by Paralympic multi-gold medalist Libby Kosmala, representing the Board of Community Benefit SA, the principal sponsor of the Championships.   The event was won by Craig Clarke of Adelaide Sailing Club (first in every race).   Neil Ashman of Port Lincoln Yacht Club was second, and Helene Messner of Adelaide Sailing Club third. 

The Deidre Schahinger Interclub Teams Perpetual trophy was won by Adelaide Sailing Club and presented by the Deputy Premier of SA the Hon. Kevin Foley MP to the Adelaide Sailing Club Team. 

Statistics

On behalf of Port Adelaide Sailing Club our thanks to our sponsors, the competitors and volunteers for making this weekend a great success.

JOHN JOHNSTON
Regatta Coordinator
16 March 2005