Mark Pitt's Beneteau First 35 'Mulberry' and other individual HYC keelboat racers competed in last week’s Geographe Bay Race Week (GBRW). Hosted by Geographe Bay Yacht Club with boats staying at Port Geographe Marina, the week is always a highlight of the WA sailing calendar, and 73 boats registered for the 21st iteration of this event. Sailing in the wonderful waters of Geographe Bay off Busselton, the week consisted of five passage races (10-15 nm) and two Windward-Leeward races. ‘Mulberry’ competed in the premier Division 1 fleet, including several regular offshore racers and which this year included the new SUPER 30 fleet of Cape 31, MC31, Melges 32, etc for a combined IRC result. Despite the fierce competition, ‘Mulberry’ finished a very respectable 5th on Div 1 PHS and 7th on combined IRC for the six races during the week. Individual race results included a win in Race 3. Participation alone would provide Mark with redemption given ‘Mulberry’s’ unfortunate dismasting during the opening race of the 2022 event, and the last-minute withdrawal in 2023. Displaying the great camaraderie amongst the HYC keelboat racing section, a crew of 13 sailors cycled through the boat throughout the week assisting the skipper Mark in either racing or the extended delivery to and from Busselton. Also competing in the large fleet was current HYC Sportsperson of Year, Eleanor Wise, who competed on the FSC Melges 24 ‘Ramp’ who won their division.

Ray Murphy