Sport
21 April, 2022
Sailors converge on Camperdown for Easter
LAKE Bullen Merri was the playground for around 70 boats during the 60th Easter Yachting Regatta held by Yachting Western Victoria (YWV).
LAKE Bullen Merri was the playground for around 70 boats during the 60th Easter Yachting Regatta held by Yachting Western Victoria (YWV).
Around 300 sailors and their families camped on the shores of the lake from Good Friday to Easter Monday at what YWV president Mick Doherty called a unique social yachting event.
The event saw sailors race eight times each over the four days as they vied for victory in their divisions.
The most prestigious award of the event, the Cock of the Lake, was awarded to Stawell Yacht Club’s Ross Bennett for the best performing boat of the regatta.
Doherty said participants and their families loved the annual event for its focus on the social aspect of the sport.
“The thing people love about it is that, compared to a lot of other events where you’re focused on winning, it’s pretty relaxed,” he said.
“Don’t get me wrong, when the siren goes everyone switches into race mode, but you’re probably not driving to the regatta thinking about boat settings, or race management.
“For me and a lot of other sailors this event’s the only time we get to see some of our yachtie friends, and it’s great to catch up over Easter.”
The camaraderie and the sportsmanship of the event was epitomised in a race between two young sailors on Saturday.
“We had two junior sailors from Geelong in pretty small boats, and the wind had shut down,” Doherty said.
“One sailor, Emma, is pretty handy and ended up winning the juniors, and she actually turned around during one race to go back and check on the other young guy to make sure he was okay.
“It was pretty cool to see someone go back to make sure their fellow competitor was alright.”
Doherty highlighted also the welcoming nature of the people of Camperdown.
“Camperdown’s really suited to the culture of our event,” he said.
“It’s a nice country town, everyone’s really welcoming, and you’re not in the city trying to find parks or deal with traffic, it’s just great.”