Win for RPAYC Kevin Nixon Accru at the Inaugural Melges 24 South Australian State Titles
What a finale to the Inaugural Riviera and Copyworld Melges 24 South Australian State Titles. The sun shone on an amazing day of racing on the Gulf of St Vincent, Adelaide.
Final two races on day three were nail biters. Dave Alexander Foxtrot needed a win in race five to extend his lead on Kevin Nixon Accru and put a South Australians name to the Trophy. Disaster struck on the start line when Foxtrot picked up the start flag and had to send a crew member overboard to release the line. Frustration was written on the faces of the Foxtrot team as they tried to mount a comeback. Accru sailed a great race and took the gun, Jason Ward put Arriba Arriba in trophy contention with a second place and Gary Shanks Outrage Us third.
With Accru and Foxtrot heading into the final race for the regatta on equal points and Outrage Us one point ahead of Accrru tensions were high. The course had been lengthened and a steady sea breeze was blowing but the fleet was still very tight at the top mark, coming into the finish it was difficult to tell who had the win, Arriba Arriba put in an extra jibe, but Outrage Us managed to hold on and make the line crossing about half a metre ahead of Accru Arriba following closely in third place.
The well deserved regatta win going to Kevin Nixon and his crew on Accru RPAYC. Regular crew member son Daniel was unable to race in Adelaide due to Eighteen Foot Skiff commitments so in keeping with the full family affair Kevin’s brother Grant flew in from New Zealand for the event. The Accru team, Kevin, wife Glenda, son Bonnie and brother Grant were thrilled with the result, the regatta first had alluded them until now.
“The conditions were fantastic for Melges 24 racing, especially good practice for all the boats heading to San Francisco for the Worlds next year, Grant didn’t miss a shift the entire weekend and Glenda and Bonnie are the best hikers as usual” said Kevin. At the Presentation Kevin thanked the hospitality of the Adelaide Sailing Club and Donna Evans from ASC for her organisation.
The win in the final race was enough to give local boat Gary Shanks Outrage Us ASC the Second Place Trophy on a count back, fellow club member Dave Alexander Foxtrot ASC carried a fourth and finished in third place overall. Two locals in podium places, testament to the competitive nature of the growing Adelaide fleet
The regatta was a great success showcasing some awesome Melges 24 racing on the Gulf of St Vincent. Thanks to sponsors Riviera who supplied the Media boat, Adelaide Shores and Copyworld.
Tracey Walters
