DON DELLER TROPHY and Pittwater Weekend - 17 & 18 Feb 2024 - Post Race REPORT
/Post Race REPORT
This year’s Don Deller was an outstanding success despite the fickle winds at multiple times through the race.
With four entrants from SASC
· Delinquent
· Lunacy
· Shambles
· Double Dutch
and three entrants from BPYC
· Blue Sky
· Money Spinner III
· Starfire
The fleet got off to a great start except for Starfire finding herself OCS and with the light wind, took almost 6 minutes to restart from the course side. Shambles and Blue Sky took off towards North Head while the remainder of the fleet did their best to stay in touch.
By the time Starfire got to South Head she was in a better position than Money Spinner III and a few others as the winds were more favourable on the eastern side of the harbour. Her improving position was not long lasting as she was soon under North Head and struggling to get out of the harbour.
Shambles went further east than anyone else before tacking onto a great lay line taking her beyond Long Reef with Blue Sky to leeward but staying close. These two were to continue to tussle for the lead until the finish in Pittwater west off Palm Beach.
By Long Reef the fleet was quite spread out. Starfire and Money Spinner III were close to each other on several occasions. Double Dutch decided to hug the shore while Lunacy and Delinquent continued between the shore and the lay line set by Shambles.
At times, boat speeds starting with a zero were observed on board the yachts, as the wind was quite fickle throughout the race.
Shambles, Blue Sky and Money Spinner III each set a kite as they rounded Barrenjoey and sprinted to the finish line west of Palm Beach with a freshening breeze.
Lunacy retired just north of Barrenjoey Head
The author was unable to track the other yachts but learned that Lunacy retired just north of Barrenjoey Head while the remainder of the fleet crossed the line and reported their finish time to the Commodore.
The boats found their berths at RMYC Newport and celebrated with a beer or three before heading to the showers followed by dinner in the bistro. Having made a booking for 28 people, I think I may have counted 30 people, each introducing themselves and discussing the race, as they experienced it.
Once most guests had completed their main meal, former BPYC Commodore, Michael Jansen welcomed all attendees and gave a brief recital about Don Deller who was a founding member of BPYC and the inaugural Commodore. He worked tirelessly keeping the club in a strong position, recruiting new members and new boats to join in the friendly racing at BPYC. It was due to the above efforts Don had put into the Club, that the Don Deller Race was named in his honour.
Michael then handed over to Vice Commodore Carl Braden to read out the results and was ably assisted by Treasurer Ann Davey with the prizes and merchandise.
Carl thanked the SASC entrants and called up each boat to present them with some “welcome” BPYC merchandise including a BPYC wine glass and BPYC beer cooler. As Lunacy had retired, the “special encouragement” prize (for last place) was presented to Starfire.
Third place was awarded to Double Dutch.
The Vice Commodore deemed first place a draw - awarded to Blue Sky and Shambles with the Don Deller Trophy to be held for 6 months by Shambles/SASC and a further 6 months by Blue Sky/BPYC. Shambles and the other SASC entrants are also invited to the BPYC AGM on 20th July 2024 where all the prizes for the 2023-2024 season are presented to the winners.
Herschel Smith (Shambles) invited BPYC members to participate in the two SASC races to Pittwater through the year. Their next race is the Bob Brown on 28th March (Easter Thursday) with an overnight in Coasters Retreat.
All present agreed that this year’s Don Deller was a fabulous event with camaraderie, new friends, great food and anticipation of the race in 2025.