We were very lucky, and relieved when we heard that Port Stephens had a couple of boats to lend us, so that we did not have to tow boats up to Grahamstown Dam to participate in the Port Stephens Cup this year.
Denis and Michael, Stephen, Ivan and Eli headed up the coast on Friday evening, so that we would be ready and rigged by early Saturday morning.
It was a pleasant gathering, with boats from ACT and Port Stephens participating.
The wind on Saturday was not really strong enough in the morning for our crews who are used to stronger breezes, but the locals, and the very light-weight crews from Special Olympics really relished the light conditions.
Saturday afternoon saw the wind increase in speed and strength, so that the two boats that we had used in the morning both lost masts in the strong breezes. Denis and Ivan’s boat was damaged beyond repair, and the Port Stephens crew managed to bring out another boat for them to use on Sunday. Michael and Stephen were able to use the same boat, but with a different mast.
The wind was a steady, pleasant to sail in level all day Sunday, so that the races were completed with no problem, either with the boats, or the courses.
Most of the prizes went to the Special Olympics teams. Ivan and Denis came second in their series, and Michael and Stephen were very brave to stay out on the water to the very last race on Sunday, completing the series. We were very proud of Stephen for staying out here on the water for a long and arduous time, as this is the first time he has managed this.
