October was no less busy, with the18- footer Skiff State Championships in some challenging conditions. RQYS once again hosted the well-supported ILCA Metro Championships, followed by the Queensland Etchells Championships, and then the following weekend the Queensland WASZP Championships … all of this subsequently capped-off with the infamous Beneteau Cup and French Yacht Challenge! November seemed quiet in comparison, with the only non-Club racing the annual Brisbane Seawind regatta. It is always fun to watch a healthy fleet of boats that are synonymous with cruising getting out there and having some great racing. This is a great regatta celebrating the camaraderie around a very social, and apparently competitive bunch of sailors. The initial weekend of the Christmas school break marked Sail Brisbane, coinciding with the OK and VX One State Championships. Participation, particularly in the Finns gearing up for their January nationals, was noteworthy. Historically a kick-off for three major youth regattas (including Sail Sydney and Sail Melbourne), a date conflict led to reduced numbers in the Youth fleets Unfortunately, the inaugural 135nm Brisbane-to-Paradise race, planned as a feeder race for Sail Paradise, was abandoned due to unfavorable weather and low participation. In ‘nationals month’ (January) RQYS hosted global competitors in the Finn Australian Championships with 40 entrants from around the country, as well as from the Czech Republic, Great Britain, Spain, Norway and New Zealand. And, with more than 60 participants, the OK Dinghy Nationals and Interdominions further contributed to the regatta’s allround success. The impressive turnout is indicative of the event’s popularity and the allure it holds for sailors across different categories. The ideal sailing conditions provided a perfect backdrop for the competitions, ensuring that the participants could showcase their skills to the best of their abilities. International participation, favourable conditions, and the overall positive atmosphere created a memorable event that will likely be remembered by sailors and spectators alike. This bodes well for the future of competitive sailing at the Squadron, establishing RQYS as a key player in this global arena. Hosting events of this scale is no small feat, and the Squadron’s ability to organise and execute such a significant regatta underscores our commitment to promoting sailing and fostering a sense of community within the sport. The success of the event will no doubt contribute to the Squadron’s existing reputation as a premier venue for sailing competitions in the build-up to 2032. In February, the Squadron hosted the Downunder Pro, an exciting regatta tailored for the cutting-edge foiling boards, featuring three categories. Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Yearbook Mainsheet 2023 19
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Mzg4Mjk=