Local knowledge and light airs the key to success in the Val Hodge Trophy

Race report by Cath Hurley

There were smiles all round as women sailors took to the water on Port Phillip on Sunday, February 28, many racing for the first time since March 2020 on a beautiful sunny, late summer’s day in Melbourne.

Fluky winds of 5 – 10 knots SE – SSE provided a challenge for first time Race Officer Allicia Rae and competitors alike in the two races making up the Val Hodge Trophy run by the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria. Allicia was very glad her first races were part of the Port Phillip Women’s Championship Series, as everyone was so friendly and happy to just be out on the water. After having to delay the start through lack of wind, the club managed to get in two windward/leeward races, each two laps. The second really put the crews through their paces with the laps only 0.5nm long.

There were some tight mark roundings and a few close calls as crews shook off the cobwebs and sharpened their skills.

Local knowledge and the light airs proved the winning advantage for the winner of the Val Hodge Trophy, Sue Burke from the Williamstown Sailing Club in Swallow, an Explorer 16. She sailed her own course staying south of the other competitors for much of the races, finishing with a second in race 1  behind Serious Yahoo skippered by Katie Holyroyd. Then coming first in a closely contested 2^nd race taking the lead from Serious Yahoo, to take the overall lead in the Port Phillip Women’s Championship Series on PHS. Sue was surprised to find herself amongst the big boats in the fleet at the first mark, making a tight rounding inside a larger boat, but “just gritted her teeth and did it”. Sue Burke says she only got the courage to take on the helm in her 50s, but would encourage other women to give it a go, saying “Once you do it, it’s the easiest job on the boat”.

Second in the Val Hodge Trophy on the day and second on PHS for the Series was Serious Yahoo from Royal Brighton Yacht Club, skippered by Katie Holyroyd.

Ca Bouge from the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron skippered by Liah Hunter came first in the female helm category for PHS. They made very quick time on the short second race, finishing in just 19 and a half minutes.

Red Dog from RMYS, skippered by Yvette De Haan came 1^st in the mixed crew category for AMS and PHS for the Series. Up n Go came 1^st in the IRC all female crew category for the Series.

For full results see link below

http://www.topyacht.net.au/results/as/2020/ppwcs/ppwcs/series.htm?ty=09661

The next race in the series is the rescheduled Jennifer Goldsmith at RMYS on March 14.  Register at the link below for the up and coming races. 

Port Phillip Women's Championship Series 2020-21 ~ 2020 ~ 2021 ~ TopYacht Entry System