One could be forgiven for thinking competitors had woken up on the ski slopes rather than the Northern Beachs, as Pittwater greeted sailors with a crisp 3-degree morning. But the chill didn’t deter the 30-strong fleet from returning to the race course for Day 2 of the Mick Hole Winter Regatta, determined to complete the four remaining races needed to round out the series after Saturday’s light and fickle conditions.
With another early dock-off and a 1000 start scheduled, a gentle westerly welcomed Race 3, gradually building to a steady 10–12 knots. Race 4 saw the breeze begin to shift southward, but it held firm long enough for the race to be completed.
The battle from the front runners in the Etchells Class saw Fliration take the lead from 2107 Racing closely followed by DOT. In the multihulls on Yardstick handicap The Barbaloots took two clean wins from Superdeep as two Easy Tiger Racing in the Sportsboat Fleet scored on Event Handicap.
With all races counting, and no discards in the regatta you had to bring your A-Game.
By midday, however, the southerly influence had calmed the breeze once again, eerily echoing the slow-down experienced on Day 1. But this time, the Race Committee was one step ahead. Reading the forecast and relying on constant updates from the mark boats, they wasted no time in moving the course to suit the approaching southerly.
Southerlies on Pittwater always bring a new flavour to racing, and this one was no different. As the new course was set, the fleet chased the committee boat to the new starting area, eager to make the most of the freshening wind. After two postponements and growing anticipation, Race 5 got underway, although a few eager starters paid the price, forced to return (OCS) and restart as others capitalised on the fresh breeze. Great use of the Vakaros Race Sence System in alerting those over!
The sports boats and multihulls, in particular, came alive in the revitalised conditions, making the most of the breeze and enjoying the downwind thrills Pittwater is known for.
With the finish line in sight and just one race remaining, tensions ran high. The Race Committee resorted to the black flag for the final starts, a necessary move to maintain order among a highly competitive fleet. After five hours on the water, multiple mark changes (more than an echidna has spikes), and a full day of tactical, high-pressure racing, the 2025 Mick Hole Regatta came to a thrilling conclusion.
2025 Winner of the Mick Hole & Etchells Champion Perpetual Trophy was awarded to the Team of Fliration, Jason Antill, Matt Crawford and Scotty O’Connor.
Etchells Overall: Scratch
- Flirtation (EAUS1026) AUS Etchells Jason Antill RPAYC 16pts
- 2107 Racing (EAUS1213) AUS Pacesetter M9 Etchells Dave Taylor RPAYC 19pts
- DOT (EAUS1134) AUS Pacesetter Etchells Justin Connell RPAYC 24pts
Sports Boats Overall: EHC
- Easy Tiger Racing Team (RPAYC5) AUS Elliott 7m Chris Way RPAYC 12.5pts
- Amici (59) AUS Elliott 7m Kerrie Shimeld RPAYC 23pts
- Revolver Racing Team (RPAYC3) AUS Elliott 7m Michael Ritchie RPAYC 23pts
Multihulls: Yardstick
- The Barbaloots (AUS218) AUS F16 David Fisher RPAYC 9pts
- Superdeep (AUS600) AUS F18 Luke Ratcliff RPAYC 13pts
- Thunder Buddy (AUS18) AUS F16 Andrew Driver RPAYC 16pts
- Wild Thing (AUS818) AUS F18 Kerrie Driver KCC 23pts
