The coast of NSW is dotted with some well hidden but fantastic sailing locations. The shores of Lake Macquarie are no exception. Our first Travellers Trophy of the season was held at Mannering Park which is right at the southern end of the lake. Well within reach of Sydney—it only took 1 hour 50 from the south end of Sydney. The photos below are of the lakeside caravan park which adjoins the sailing club.

 

The sailing venue is as it should be—lots of water and a big course. On Saturday afternoon, for the first heat, we had everything from 20 knots to 5 knots in the space of 3o minutes. Finding the top mark was a bit of an adventure as the fleet of 14 spread out. As the breeze swung around on the second lap we were even more spread, but strangely, right at the end the back markers caught the leaders and all boats finished within 5 minutes. Ian Macgregor looked like stealing a crafty win in his first TT outing in a Heron but ‘turn victory into defeat’ Harris just held him out despite an unassailable lead going into the finish. Joel Gunn came in a creditable 3rd.

 

On Sunday, the kids got the only race in with a light breeze in the morning. Well done to Eleanor Macgregor and Ian, followed by Emma and Greg Harris then Georgia Llewellyn crewed by Liz Gazzard. Handicap places went to Jaime and Matt Swavley, followed by Kate Fitzgerald and Joy Gough and then Katrina and Steve Swavley.

 

The breeze died after lunch and we all spent 2 hours drifting around waiting for a start before deciding to call it quits.

 

Well done to Rod and Tom Walker who came along to their first TT and carried on through the initial squally conditions, a capsize, a broken gaff jaw (lashed up) to finish on Saturday afternoon’s race.

 

The best part was that we all had a good relaxing weekend and the kids had a ball.

 

Steve Watts