Mosquito Catamaran Victorian State Titles at Altona Yacht Club

It's an exciting time to be sailing Mosquito Catamarans, with 30 entries in the recent Victorian Titles at Altona Yacht on the Labour Day weekend (two even travelled all the way from Canberra) it looks like numbers are re-building after the Covid shut downs, just in time for the 50th Mosquito Catamaran National Titles, to be held at Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club, starting January 1st 2023.

Saturday morning the club was buzzing serving up Bacon and Egg Rolls and Coffees to the many sailors camping at the club, as more boats arrived and the expansive grassed areas quickly disappeared under the pressure of many tents and so many catamarans being rigged. Spread across 3 Divisions (Cat Rig, Sloop Rig and Spinnaker rigged) the 16 Cat Rigs were first to start racing in a building sea breeze, the 5 Sloop Rigs were next to start, followed by the 9 Spinnaker Rigs. The Cat and Sloop Rigs sailed Triangle, Windward Return, Triangle course and the Spinnaker Rigs sailed 4 Windward and Returns laps, all the sailors were greeted by the typical Altona chop, with the wind blowing from the other side of Port Phillip Bay into the relatively shallow waters near the Altona Yacht Club, this made it difficult to keep good boat speed to windward for the many lake sailors in attendance, but thankfully the wind built from around 8knots throughout the first race and soon sailors were trapezing upwind most of the time. As soon as the fleet had finished the first race a second race was started, in what was now a solid 15knot sea breeze, making it easier to punch through the chop upwind, but tacking was still a bit slow at times for some, as if you hit a wave at the start of the tack it was like pulling on the handbrake. On the reaches the Cat Rigs were well powered up and the Sloops were sending spray everywhere, whilst on the returns the Spinnaker Rig sailors were up the "back of the bus" and jumping over the waves with smiles from ear to ear. After racing the beers and the stories of triumph and woe were flowing at the club, only stopping briefly to allow consumption of the sumptuous Roast dinner (with seconds) and tables full of sweet delights. The catch up with Mossie friends and sailing stories stretched on into the night for many, helped by a glass or two of red and a few "bear" cans also made an appearance.

Fleet heading out - Mosquito Catamaran Victorian State Titles 2022 - photo © Craig Sheperd

Sunday morning dawned early for some keen to get back to the racing, but many sailors were much slower to emerge from their tents and the light warm northerly provided little inspiration to move any faster. But with a 10am start planned, the club volunteers were kept busy pouring coffees and barbecuing bacon and eggs to fire up the smouldering sailors. The first race started in a light Northerly wind on flat water, allowing the lake sailors to feel more comfortable, but their comfort was short lived with a classic "Top of the Bay" gusty/shifty North Westerly coming off the land at 20knots and more. Suddenly Mosquito's were sizzling across the flat water, with a number of capsizes keeping rescue craft busy and before you knew it the third race was completed. Race management were looking to run another race back to back, but with some cats still getting assistance, nasty gusts coming off the shore and the course needing to be shifted, the fleet went back to shore for an early lunch. The adrenaline was still pumping back on the shore as repairs were made and lunch was had, soon you could feel the nervous tension as the sailors waited to head out for the afternoon session, would the wind keep building? Would it keep shifting?

Mosquito Catamaran Victorian State Titles 2022 - photo © Craig Sheperd

Sunday afternoon 3 races were held back to back, the water stayed flat with most of the gusts coming off the land or along the shore between 15 to 20knots. Again the Mosquito's in all divisions were speeding around the course, with a couple of Spinnaker rigged Mossies recording peak boat speeds of around 19knots. The conditions certainly suited the lake sailors and by the end of the day "Lake" sailors led all 3 Divisions, with 4 races completed for the day. Back on the shore there were many tired bodies and boats, with a number of repairs being made and the usual chatter of wins, losses and crashes. The club volunteers put on a BBQ for the sailors and summer like temperatures meant the very well priced club beers were going down well, another awesome evening was had, including a sound and light show that only the heavens could put on, sadly turning to rain, putting a damper on the night for the many groups formed at campsites.

Sails and Smoke Stacks - Mosquito Catamaran Victorian State Titles 2022 - photo © Craig Sheperd

Monday morning dawned a bit "foggy" for many sailors, with the fog not only behind their eyes, but in the air, you can always rely on Melbourne for a variety of weather, lol. The postponement flag was hoisted, but soon enough the fog started clearing and a light breeze picked up, race management was keen to get a 7th race happening and soon the water in front of the Altona Yacht Club was covered in sails again. Just like Sunday the Bay was flat, but this time the wind stayed light and the Mosquito's slipped along making the most of every zephyr, many sailors seemed to enjoy the change of pace and the final race was completed by lunch time. Then it was the rush to pack up whilst eating lunch supplied by the willing volunteers at this very friendly club, closely followed by presentation of trophies and prizes, most Mosquito sailors went home with prize as along with the Division trophies (some of which date back to the early 70's) there were many other awards handed out, first youth, first woman, many encouragement prizes and the coveted "Claphanger" for the craziest happening during the titles.

Thanks to Altona Yacht Club and all their volunteers for a very enjoyable weekend, their hospitality made all the sailors feel very welcome and I recommend the club to any class as great title hosts. Now the Mosquito fleet from across Australia is counting down the days to the big milestone, 50th National Titles, to be hosted by Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club, commencing 1st January 2023, this promises to be a huge event with all past "Legends and Champions" of the Mosquito Class invited to attend.

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