CQ IOM Titles – Gladstone Marina Day 1 26th JulyAfter a week of rain & up to 35 knots in Gladstone, the sun was shining, but the wind did not arrive at the picturesque racing venue on time. Racing was delayed by P.R.O. Jeff Byerley until the expected light SW/S started to fill in. With a line up of current State Champion Dave Turton from the Maroochydore Club, former State Champion Rod Molkentin from North Lakes in Brisbane, North Qld Champion Malcolm Kampe and current West Australian State Champion Jon Wilson from Brisbane, the racing was expected to be very competitive. Racing got underway about a half hour late but the winds were still light & variable. Out of the blocks early were some local hopefuls with Glenn Foley from the Bundaberg Club & Grant Cooper from Gladstone sailing his brand new Cockatoo 08 wining the first heat and placing well over the first 5 races. Allan Walker from Paradise RYC was racking up some top 5 finishes in a row and was looking dangerous. Rod Molkentin was firming into favouritism with some solid early performances while Malcolm Kampe, Geoff Morris, Dave Turton, and Roger Taylor were mixing good results with the occasional trip to the B Fleet or close to it at times. The pond sailors were like fish out of water in the first couple of races when the tide started to run and trying to ‘shoot the Mark’ usually ended in a penalty 360. The locals, Dave Laurie, & Michael Brown knew how to sail the tide & started to get some low scores on the board, even the Commodore Dave Harris snared his best ever 3rd in a major competition. Jon Wilson was unusually off the pace but still featuring up the list – we think it was the hair. Garth Halton from Wynnum Manly started to come to grips with the conditions and broke through for a win late in the day and was within striking distance of the leaders after day one. Well, racing finished at 4:30 and we packed up & all went to the Gladstone Yacht Club for a feed and a few beers. To top the night off the Wallabies kicked the All Blacks butts in the Union on the big screen (much to Jeff Byerley & John Prestons disgust). There will be some tired sailors tomorrow.End of Day 1 1st Rod Molkentin 2nd Allan Walker 3rd Grant CooperDay 2 - 27th July Thought it was light yesterday? Nope the day started off as a drifter. The Gladstone Club was running a great regatta but couldn’t control the conditions. Frustratingly racing was postponed for over an hour until something that resembled wind started to fill in on the course. While this was unfolding, the support crews (travelling wives & girlfriends) were whisked away for some pampering, organised by former GRCYC Commodore Chris Struik, who also owns the Gladstone Cinemas. Chris gave complimentary Gold Room tickets to the ladies to see ‘Mamma Mia’ the Movie in leather chairs while sipping champagne. From all reports – they loved it (& are still singing!). Meanwhile back at the Gladstone Marina some of the competitors were saying ‘Mamma Mia’ as the tide was slightly stronger than the breeze! With a large slice of the day already gone, the boats that could settle into a rhythm early would feature at the end of the day. The Mutiny design, a recognised light weather screamer, started rewarding their owners with high placings. Dave Laurie from Gladstone Rod Molkentin stretched his lead with some good first two races and Jon Wilson got his groove back and started to log consistent top 3 finishers. Allan Walker and Grant Cooper were struggling to maintain their form from the previous day while Geoff Morris found an extra gear on his Cockatoo 08 and the silent assassin Glenn Foley was quietly coming into contention. When Rod posted 3 firsts in 4 races the horse had bolted, the gate was shut on 1st and only the minor placings were up for grabs. The last race was sailed with GRCYC Commodore Dave Harris picking his first ever 1st over the line and a new personal best in an A fleet while you couldn’t wipe the smile off Matt Olive’s face when he won a B fleet race! Where there was no definite second boat that stood up, Allan Waker did enough in the first day and good average on the second day to end up finishing a well deserved 2nd, holding off a fast finishing Jeff Morris 3rd & Jon Wilson 4th while locals CQ skippers Grant Cooper 5th and Glenn Foley 6th continued their rivalry with only a point between them. Also mentions to Lindsay Walker for the Radio Yacht Supplies Sportsman Award, Jethro Blanch for the Juniors prize of a Rhumbline Jib from Jon Wilson and a bottle of Wine for Malcolm Kampe for the Seniors award which Malcolm promptly donated it back to the author. Yay! Even though the wind failed for the weekend, the racing was tight and mostly friendly. The Gladstone Club would like to thank our sponsors, IGA Supermarket Sun Valley, Caltex Benaraby, Gladstone Cinemas, Rhumbline Sails, & Radio Yacht Supplies Australia. We would also like to thank PRO Jeff Byerley for his patience and guidance and scorer extraordinaire David Black. The Gladstone sailors would also like to thank Linda Hardy, Lisa Morrow, Jamie (?) (– Lisa’s boyfriend), Trevor Hall, Ross Smith & Natalie Cooper for their on the scene & behind the scenes efforts.Another great Gladstone event over.