Access State Championships - March 2007

---

Access State Championships Belmont NSW, 15-16 March 2007

Sailability Central West (NSW)
SAILABILITY CONTESTS THE 2007 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Six contestants from Sailability Central west recently competed in the 2007 Access Dinghy State Championships held at the Belmont 16 Footer Sailing Club on Lake Macquarie.

Five races took place over two days with fresh NW winds and sunny conditions. Entrants from all over the State hotly contested the Access 303 doubles division with challenging starts, exciting upwind legs and flying finishes.

Garry Starr, sailing ‘Pink Lady’, came a prestigious second overall, with the others commendably placed in the top ten. Scott Vandenbergh (aged 18) sailing ‘Independence’, gained the Central West Encouragement Medallion, and promises to be a keen contender for future events.

(Timothy Hone)


The six Sailability Central West sailors at the end of the regatta.

Graham from Sailability NSW (dark shirt) presents Garry Starr (left) with his second-overall trophy in the 2-Up 303 Division. Well done, Garry!
From left: Garry Starr, Graham (Sailability NSW), Graham Hamilton (blue shirt), Timothy Hone, Mal Kiely, Scott Vandenbergh (in chair) and Steve Vandenbergh.

(Pic courtesy of Timothy Hone)

Central Wests' Access 303's 442 (blue), "Independence" (green) and "Pink Lady" early Friday morning at Belmont 16ft Skiff Club


Scott and Steve Vandenbergh ready to race... but they had to wait a little while...


Access dinghies everywhere along the shore at Belmont.
(Pic courtesy of Glen from Chipping Norton Sailability)


Morning traffic jam of Access dinghies at the wharf and pontoon at Belmont
(Pic courtesy of Timothy Hone)


Steve Vandenbergh (left) and Graham Hamilton in the blue 303 out on the water at Belmont.
(Pic courtesy of Timothy Hone)


The view from aboard the "Pink Lady" out on the water at Belmont
(Pic courtesy of Timothy Hone)


In the blue Access 303 are Graham Hamilton (front) and Steve Vandenbergh. Scotty and Mal are in the green "Independence" just behind them.
(Pic courtesy of Timothy Hone)


There was lots of close racing in the 2-up 303 Division.
(Pic courtesy of Glen from Chipping Norton Sailability)


Scotty Vandenbergh sailing the Access 303 "Independence"
(Pic courtesy of Glen from Chipping Norton Sailability)


Scotty and Mal racing the green "Independence" on the waters off Belmont.
(Pic courtesy of Glen from Chipping Norton Sailability)


A fast run to the bottom mark... Garry Starr and Timothy Hone in the "Pink Lady" (second-left), and Steve Vandenbergh and Graham Hamilton aboard the blue 303.
(Pic courtesy of Glen from Chipping Norton Sailability)


Scotty Vandenbergh and Mal Kiely in the green "Independence" not far behind Graham and Steve in the blue boat (second-right) at the bottom mark.
(Pic courtesy of Glen from Chipping Norton Sailability)


Steve and Graham racing the blue Access 303 hard on the waters off Belmont.
(Pic courtesy of Glen from Chipping Norton Sailability)


Scotty and Mal prepare for a start in the green "Independence". The pink boat on the left is an Access 'Liberty'. That's Belmont 16ft Skiff Club in the background.
(Pic courtesy of Glen from Chipping Norton Sailability)


Scotty Vandenbergh and Mal Kiely (yellow hat) cross the finishing line in one of their races.
(Pic courtesy of Timothy Hone)


Scotty and Mal aboard "Independence" (right) had a good tussle in each race with the boys from Chipping Norton (left). Scotty pushed us ahead here at a close finish by about half a boat-length! Well sailed, Scotty!
(Pic courtesy of Timothy Hone)

---