Hillarys Yacht Club 2017-18 club champion Covert Operation crew members Dene Marfleet, Graham Atkinson, Bart Brouwer, Andy Hill and Gary Illing with Vice Commodore Brett Bailey.
Camera IconHillarys Yacht Club 2017-18 club champion Covert Operation crew members Dene Marfleet, Graham Atkinson, Bart Brouwer, Andy Hill and Gary Illing with Vice Commodore Brett Bailey. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Sailing: Hillarys Yacht Club awards season’s best

John BirdJoondalup Times

HILLARYS Yacht Club’s harbour room was packed with sailors and families for the annual presentation of awards last Saturday.

Although many yachts shared the spoils, two yachts stood out for their consistent performance over the season.

Covert Operation raced in division 2 by Bart Brouwer and Graham Atkinson, who had won many of the race trophies was crowned club champion for 2017-18.

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In division 1 Des Riley and Marshall Fox sailed very consistently on Hard Evidence winning several races including the Commodores Cup, Marmion Reef Race and also the winter series and overall consistency trophy.

In division 3 the awards were shared by Comfortably Numb (Stephen O’keefe) and Sensei (Brett and Lynda Bailey).

The Chris Grant Memorial Race was won by Sally Malay (Ian Walker), Show Me (Bruce Ellery) and Sensei in their respective divisions. His widow Sandy Grant presented the inaugural trophy.

The crew person of the year title went to Greg Shakeshaft on Mulberry, the Viking Championship to Tropical Itch (Tony Brooke) and the most improved was Volant (Frank Scheckel, Klaus Scheckel, Emille Janssen and Kevin Meta).

Two long serving start team members Marlene Scheckel and Marilyn Newman were presented with bouquets of flowers and Bart Brouwer, retiring after five years as keel captain, received a thunderous applause and gift.

Chris Kelly, who had known Fremantle yacht Finistere owner Rob Thomas for 40 years, paid tribute to him and crew member Paul Owen who lost their lives when competing in the Bunbury race.

Part of the proceeds of a fundraiser held on Saturday will be donated to Fremantle Sailing Club to honour those men.

The band Simon and Babba performed at the May 19 event.

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