Forward (by 2007 NSW State Champion Greg Roche)
We turned up a day early so Daniel could experience the Lake , however we were greeted by a howlin’ 25 knot sou easter gusting to 35 knots. Three of the local boats were out practicing in the partly sheltered bay in front of the clubhouse. I was impressed by their handling skills and wondering what the series would bring for these young sailors. We decided to watch.
Heat 1 (report by heat winners - Greg Roche & Daniel Yaxley)
Generally quite windy especially in front of the rain squalls. Tim and Nic in Catchup were the favourites in my view after their performance at Port Hunter Nationals in the 25+ souwesters. Not surprising they took the early lead with 70 kg Nic on the wire and surprisingly we followed with 45 kg Daniel on the wire, then a gap to the rest of the fleet. Catchup maintained a good lead around the first triangle and down the square run, we managed to gain ground by sailing a little hotter and not so square and rounded the bottom mark on their heels. Surprisngly we climbed higher with better speed and were soon level and 50 metres higher. We maintained the lead and Zanadu overtook Catchup followed by Toogara and Filthy Faze. I don’t know what was happening further back we were too busy handling the conditions. What a race !!

Heat 2 (report by heat winners Gary Reeves & Paul Tyson)

Following the variable conditions of Heat 1, conditions for Heat 2 (which followed back-to-back) were more consistent, with a 15 - 20 knot Southerly for most of the race, sometimes to 25 knots, and fading to 10 knots at the end.

After starting at the boat end, but in the second row, XANADU took a short tack to the right, and found good breeze and angle to establish a comfortable lead - ahead of FINAL PHASE and TOOGARA and the rest of the fleet - which was held to the finish. The first reach to the gybe mark was absolutely fantastic. Enjoying the fresh conditions, XANADU slowly extended the lead, until losing a little time playing it safe by not hoisting immediately after the final windward mark rounding and finding the wind angle swung behind and started to lighten off. After holding second place for almost all of the race, FINAL PHASE was pipped by CATCHUP, and TOOGARA was pipped for 4th by PLAN B. Unfortunately, the end of heat 2 signalled the end of any decent breezes for the rest of the series, and the end of XANADU's challenge for the title. Congratulations to those who better handled the variable and frustrating conditions which followed.
Heat 3   (report by heat winners Greg Roche & Daniel (pocket) Yaxley)

First race on Easter Sunday morning. Very light SSW. We headed left with the pack before clocking right into what little pressure there was. Most of the fleet headed left hoping to pick the forecast swing to the east. We round first, with WSNWay, Filthy & Catchup. Most of the race was light but it seemed working right each upwind leg proved decisive. Final Phase 1st , Catchup closed by swinging rather than traping to finish 2nd, with Filthy 3rd.
Heat 4   (report by Bob Taig)

A light easterly for the 2nd Race on the Sunday and our chance on Filthy Fase to get a good result. The first work was very closely contested by 'Honey I shrunk the Skiff', 'Catchup, 'Final Phase' and 'Filthy' with Filthy taking 3rd place by the end of the first reach. From then on it all went screwy. Just after rounding the gybe mark Filthy and Final Phase lost all wind. Left dead in the water, spinnaker hanging like a wet lettuce, Filthy and Final, watched as all the boats behind sailed over the top of frustrated pair. The wind filled in slowly but the leading boats had left us far behind and it was a case of damage control mode from there on. The final work paid off for Filthy taking 3 places on the final approach to the finish line with a couple of lucky shifts and a late tacking 'Wizard of Oz'.

'Honey I Shrunk The Skiff' and 'Catchup' retained their 1st and 2nd positions throughout the race. Third place to 'The Wife Said No Way' and 4th to 'Bung it On'.

A dreadfull race for us, BUT not as bad as Heat 6. But someone else can tell that story.
Heat 5  (report  by heat winners Greg Roche & Daniel (pocket) Yaxley)

We had three heats this day, this was the final race of the day, the previous race was drifter and we wondered if they could possible send us around again. Sure enough they did. They shifted the top mark from SE to E and just as we got underway the breeze shifted back to SE. It was just off a work to the top mark. We kept out of trouble at the start at the boat end. Our boat speed took us out from the pack in about 5 knot breeze to round first then it was a square run to the wing mark as the breeze freshened a little.

We managed to hold kite down the next tight reach and for most of the race before things got serious.  Again it was one tack work, we eased off a little to clear the start line, but just as we got there the committee boat lifted the finish mark, we didn’t try to go above the boat fearing disqualification, so we had to pull away even further to clear the boat. The rest of the fleet were then afforded a better line and we had to tack back to just cover them. They should have had to round the committee boat as well hey !!!

Filthy Faze and Catchup, with Allison crewing closed fast down the final reach which was now a two sail reach. We luffed as Filthy tried to steal our wind and then Catchup capitalized on the disarray to get 2nd. As they rounded the bottom mark Filthy sat on Catchup’s tail until they could lay the finish mark. Final Phase 1st, Filthy 2nd & Catchup 3rd.
Heat 6 (report by heat and 2007 States handicap winners  Rob & Sian Morton )

This was the 2nd last heat of the series and in many ways the fleet was lucky to get a start. The heat was supposed to start at 11:30 am, but after most of us drifting to the starting line, some getting a tow, a few jelly fish fights with much sliming, the zephyr finally arrived. We had a start, which must have been about 12:30. The zephyr was quite variable, shifty and elusive. If it wasn’t for her magical boots (kindly supplied by Bob from 'Filthy Fase'), along with some superb light weather sailing advice that very morning) the 'Wizard of Oz' may not have been so lucky. (Ed. note the boots came with the condition they didn't beat Filthy)

She (Wizard of Oz) started at the pin end of the line, with the rest of the fleet at her stern and was able to tack across onto port, clear them all and keep the competition where she wanted them. The first leg needed a few small tacks only to make the windward mark, due to that shifty zephyr. On the next leg the spinnaker was just kept filling and on the 3rd (and last) leg the spinnaker needed to come down due to further zephyr shifts.

The race finished after 48 minutes after 3 legs only as the code flag ‘S’ was raised with 2 hooters from the start boat, then moored on the starboard side of the bottom mark. The Wizard showed some magic and luck by crossing first, with Final Phase, Bung It On, The Wife Said No Way, and Plan B following over the next 12 minutes, which is not a long way in that breeze. Bob and Dylan in Filthy Fase were just outside the 20 minute limit after the first boat finished, disappointingly scoring a DNF, along with the fleet behind them.
Heat 6 (report by Brett Dutton)

Started in a promising 8-10 knots with 'Wizard of Oz' having a great first work to reach the top mark first closely followed by WSNW, Final Phase and Bung it On, with a good gap to the chasing pack. Down the first run the wind died almost completely* with just some jockeying of the minor placings. Eventually the course had to be shortened at the first bottom mark rounding with Wizard of Oz never headed for the win. Final Phase finished second with Bung it On showing good control in the super light conditions to come from behind and grab third place, the slow pace of the heat meaning only 5 boats finished in the allotted time leaving many of the top boats with a DNF result.

* Ed: Absolutely COMPLETELY. I had to get Dylan to dip his finger into the water to see which direction we were going. We were stationary for quite some time.
Heat 7 (report by Brett Dutton)

A shift in direction and an increase in pressure saw the 7th heat get underway in a light and tricky 5 knots with the title still on the line. Good sailing and a bit of local knowledge saw 'Plan B' get an early jump and lead at the top mark from 'WSNW', 'Wizard of Oz' and 'Final Phase'. Again a few of the more fancied boats struggled in the light conditions and were well back by the start of the first kite leg. Despite some tough challenges 'Plan B' managed to hold the lead narrowly until the 1st reach of the final lap where they picked some nice pressure and raced away to an easy win. With some close racing for the minor placings 'WSNW' managed to find a wide gust to secure 2nd with 'Wizard of Oz' third and 'Catchup' making some late ground to finish in 4th. Despite some bad luck on the final causing 'Final Phase' to slip to 8th, they still managed to tie with 'Catchup' overall, finishing the series equal on 16 point, Greg Roach taking the overall win on a count back with 3 wins from 7 heats.
( A big thankyou to all who contributed to this report - Bob Taig)