The 2026 – 2.4mR National Sailing Regatta
Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club
So, let’s have a sailing regatta, and just to add to the challenge, we’ll run it in the most remote city on the planet. Now, to be clear, it is a beautiful place with very hospitable locals – it is just so flaming far away from anywhere!
The container with our eight 2.4mR arrived precisely on schedule and conveniently placed next to the workshop at our host for this regatta, the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club. While not necessarily an event worth mentioning (the arrival of our container), there was a remote possibility that the train with our container would not make it to Perth because of flood damage to railway infrastructure somewhere very far from civilization. Management stress levels were in the ‘orange zone’.
A few intrepid sailors decided to drive the 3547kms, from Melbourne to Perth with their boats in tow on a tandem trailer, making a special journey part of the regatta experience. Apparently, it was a wonderful trip, fuel price notwithstanding ($3.64 per litre for diesel somewhere near nowhere across the Nullabor). Well done to the crews from Melbourne, Paynesville and Canberra who arrived today and boats rigged, ready for action.
Having mentioned this amazing location, for those who have not had the pleasure of visiting, what an amazing situation they have. A view that has to be the envy of every other club in the country, with lots of room to enjoy the location and significantly (to my observations at least) room to develop their sailing programs.
We arrived in Perth just as the ex-tropical cyclone Narelle, now a significant tropical low pressure carrying lots of rain and strong winds was passing by a few km’s inland.
A year or so ago, when this regatta was first proposed, there was great excitement, and now that we’re here, with just a couple of days before our first race, the excitement continues to mount. It would be remiss of me not to mention the extraordinary efforts of almost every member of our fleet who had anything to do with getting us here. Heartfelt thanks for a huge team effort.
The last couple of days have been dedicated to re-rigging our boats and checking all the settings after having to completely dismantle them to pack the eight boats for transportation. A few of us even got to float-test them and do an initial exploration around Freshwater Bay in vastly improved weather conditions (the sun came out) – what a glorious spot. Steady breeze, a few gusts for interest and FLAT WATER. Woohoo!
We will try to keep you up to date as the week progresses. The first invitation is on Thursday to be followed by a reception in the ‘big house’.
Photos show RFBYC aerial view, Neil Paterson – ‘Digger’ – Stepping mast for the 21st time today, and Ray holding up the ‘dumb end’.
A side note – the club house used to the Governor’s residence – hence the prime location.
Fair winds and calm seas. Ray – ‘Emilou’ – AUS43
