The final leg of the B14 NSW State Titles was held at Woollahra Sailing Club on 15th March, just before COVID-19 started shutting down pubs and clubs in Australia.

It was a smaller fleet than had travelled to Illawarra Yacht Club in November for leg one, with five boats taking part.

Bandit skipper, Glenn Cardwell, was in dodgy form, with a pretty rough cough. But he’d had two tests for COVID-19 and had been given the all clear as both were negative, and he was pleased to get out of iso and on the water with gun crew Audrey Schue.

Sydney Harbour dished up a wind direction not seen since 2006, with winds ranging from 2 to 20 knots from the South West.

Richie Reynolds and Lissa McMillan, sailing in The Nude as usual, came into the event with a reasonable lead, having chalked up 3 out of 3 wins at Illawarra. But would it be enough?

In Race One, the veterans uncharacteristically turtled just after a kite set, allowing the fleet to sail by. Sophie Hunt and Andy Payne returned the favour by capsizing at the finish line, allowing The Nude through for third, but then Purple Cow had to sail home as they noticed a lot of water in the boat. Glenn and Audrey took out the first race with ease, followed by Nathan Reynolds and Ellen Noye in Usain Boat.   

Bandit led Race2 pretty much all the way, except for the last gybe to the finish. They had been on a good gust but just ran out of puff on the approach to the line, letting the Nudists through for the win.

By Race 3 Glenn and Audrey had completely found their mojo, and weren’t to be headed. The Nude stayed ahead of Usain Boat, and Anthony House in Yellowbone sailed well in testing conditions with new crew Natalia Wu.

Bandit won the day, but it wasn’t enough to lift the State Trophy from the crew of The Nude, who now get to engrave their name on it for the 11th time.

Thanks to all for participating in the series, and thanks to Woollahra Sailing Club, venue for the next Nationals (Dec 2020) and Worlds (Jan 2021), for a well-run regatta.

Looking forward to seeing everyone back on the water when it is safe to do so.