International Mirror Class Association of Tasmania.

 

IMCAT PRESIDENT’S REPORT YEAR ENDED MARCH 2006

In summary, the year began on an encouraging note with a very reasonable turnout of 21 boats for the 2005 state titles at Deviot Sailing Club.

A Mid Winter Madness event at Port Cygnet Sailing Club was again held with 16 boats enjoying a day of fun on the water before a gourmet lunch featuring local produce (a mini Taste of the Huon). Thanks to Greg and the whole Pullen family and PCSC organisation – every competitor went home with a trophy of some description, although some of the prizes included the dreaded wooden spoons and bags of manure.

The combined pennant races between MBYC and KBSC continued for a second season with better weather conditions experienced this year, this initiative seems popular and looks set to continue into the future.

The Macintyre Cup at Deviot was a hugely enjoyable event, but with a disappointing field of only 10 boats with MBYC notably unrepresented.

The Nationals in Canberra attracted three entries from Tasmania, with all performing extremely well on the national scene. Mark Barrington and a local recruit in Kamikaze II came second overall by half a point as a result of a tie on one race – effectively this means he missed the National crown by a single second. David Graney was a last minute entry and sailed brilliantly in a borrowed boat with a hastily recruited local crew to come third overall. Jenny Graney and Dan Parry took Carpe Diem over and came sixth overall and took out the Women’s title (not the first time for Jenny). This performance deserves our congratulations and only goes to reinforce what I have been saying about being able to sail against the nation’s best Mirror sailors in Tasmania, a situation not possible in many classes.

An invitation to the Senior State Team members of the Sabot Class was extended to participate in the Mirror Challenge again, this year with experienced crews recruited to make the transition easier. On the same day we held a Mirror Legends Series with 10 legends able to be present and compete in three short races. The racing was very closely and keenly contested but was also a very enjoyable afternoon. IMCAT sincerely thanks those owners who made their boats available for these events, without your cooperation these events (which showcase our class to a wide audience) would not be possible.

The Royal Hobart Regatta saw a reasonable fleet of Mirrors with both races being challenging as seems to be becoming traditional. The Heron and Cadet fleets were only two strong each and hence the Mirrors have regained the challenge shield from the Cadets. Several weeks later the Crown Series Regatta (Bellerive Regatta) was held from BYC with dinghy racing organised by LSC. This event seems to be gaining popularity (and plenty of publicity) with some classes from other clubs using this multi race regatta as part of their pennant program. This is something the southern based clubs should check out for next year.

Greg Pullen and Andrew Roberts have continued working on updating our display boards to provide a more enticing and professional looking display for use at Regattas and other events to promote Mirrors.

While I am extremely happy with the regular updating of our website by Greg and Daniel Pullen, it is disappointing that we have not been able to find someone to take over this role. It was good to see Daniel back in the Mirror at the Mirror Challenge/Mirror Legends Day as a crew, taking out the first place in the Challenge and teaming up with Jenny to win the first race of the Legends series. Also disappointing was that despite continual appeals for fresh photos, Greg was virtually the only contributor.

Media exposure has been minimal with reports of the Mirror Challenge/ Mirror Legends sent to the Mercury but yet to have any report published.

The recent decision to allow one piece alloy masts should be embraced by all whether it was supported or not, interestingly a recent dinghy expo in the UK featured both timber and ‘glass Mirrors both featuring the new rig and were overwhelmed with people saying they would consider the Mirror now but had previously discounted it. There is a new technical and performance challenge for sailors, spar makers and sail makers to optimise the new rig for international competition. Presumably the next innovation may be carbon spars as prices come down to less than alloy. Ironically I am christening anew gaff at these State Championships having broken one in December. A few months later and I could have gone straight for the new rig. Having gone to the expense and effort of shaping and varnishing the new gaff, it would be nice to buy a mast off the shelf and just use it. (A personal thanks to both Jenny and Mark for letting be borrow gaffs while I endured this procurement marathon).

Norm Deane has once again taken on the International Secretary role of the IMCA and will provide invaluable experience to this peak Mirror body – congratulations and good luck Norm.

My thanks go to all our committee members for their work over the past year, I have determined that I will not be available for either President or committee roles for the coming year and wish the incoming President and new committee all the best for the year.

Grant Atherton

IMCAT President
17/3/06