Geelong Glory for Wilparina II
Yesterday Robert Remilton was modest about the possibility of winning the Geelong Taxi Network Multi Hull Series but a stiff breeze in the last of the seven-race series was the perfect boost to a first place on handicap and overall series win for his Farrier F9r Wilparina II.
With little water flow from the Murray, Remilton’s usual sailing ground at Goolwa is unsuitable for the large multi and he has been spending time sailing her on Lake Macquarie. Making the trip across the border to Victoria was never in doubt though, with Remilton, entering his sixth regatta at Geelong in as many years.
The wind and waters of Port Philip were favourable once again for the veteran multi-hull sailor and his crew, who experienced some fun times during the longer passage races which were a change to the multi-hull series format this year. “It was all great racing but our final race was the best race of the regatta for us, we had a dream run where we clocked 20.1 knots” he said.
The series win is the second at Skandia Geelong Week for the well-campaigned multi with Remilton’s son Philip at the helm along with his crew which includes a Brisbane sail maker, a yacht builder and a retired teacher, Remilton’s long time crewmate.
David Tapper wasn’t disappointed with his second placing. Lighter winds in the morning were better suited to his Cirrostratus 10 Shuttle but such are the swings and roundabouts of multi-hull racing. Notching up his fourth Skandia Geelong Week regatta, Tapper was also enthusiastic about the multi-hull race series year.
“It’s flipping hard work but a great format. The morning favoured us today of course and we had long runs of about 14 nautical miles so it was good fun coming home but the afternoon was tougher”
Third place in the multi hull series went to local Port Philip sailor Tim Pepperall and his crew on Quickskips, a Farrier F9ax who recorded a final score of 23.00, one point behind Shuttle and three points behind Wilparina II.
Final series results can be found at www.geelongweek.com
Traci Ayris – Skandia Media
