In the end it was only a small delegation that represented the EYC at the Port Hedland Yacht Club on August 22 and 23 2009, i.e. Carol, Suzie, Pete and Jan (and Bundy,
but he wasn't allowed in.)

The launching took place in the "Duck Pond", a small harbour that could only be used at high tide. BHP was busy dredging its exit, just in time before the race started.

About 20 boats took to the water, in several classes, from Farrier trimarans, to little Corsairs, to double trapezed Hobie 16s and the 14 ft Windrush, with Pete Lalor as skipper.
Jan and Carol didn't have their PlatyPUSS as they were towing a camper instead. Jan had expected to sail in one of the PHYC's Corsairs. However, there were no takers for the
vacant crew position. "Too uncomfortable" was the verdict. So he crewed instead, on a trailer sailer named "Venomous", skippered by Dave, the local automotive business owner.
As the rest of the 4 crew was lacking experience, Jan was on the tiller whilst Dave handled the mainsail.

The starting procedure was unclear. But after much foreplay we were, finally, racing. And racy it was, as the easterly breeze was stiff, the iron ore carriers gigantic and their channel...
dual use. They had right of way. If there was occasion for them to honk their fog horn twice at us yachties, this meant certain disqualification (for us). This rule seemed to be the
only race rule in play. Never mind a starting time, or life jackets, or a 360 if hitting a marker. The Pete and Suzie manned Windrush did well on day 1 and were unlucky not to get
a prize after day 2, when the chop proved too wild for Footloose (and for Suzie; Pete's son, a local, took her place).

The entertainment after day 1 must remain undescribed; Carol, Jan and Bundy went home after the sailing. (They camped at "Indee" station, 80 km south of Port Hedland, a cattle
station catering for campers, with a happy hour!)

The prizes were generously donated by the local industry. There were tool kits, a video camera and more. "Venomous" skipper Dave, for a third prize, got a jockey wheel. Ah well...!

 

JvdS