2010 Taipan and Capricorn National Titles report

11:45 AM Fri 8 Jan 2010 GMT

'Les Porter leads the cat fleet in race 9 - 2010 Taipan and Capricorn National Titles' Evan Steele

50 boats participated in the 2010 Taipan and Capricorn National Titles that were held from December 27 to January 3 at Paynesville, Victoria.

Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club hosted the event and provided exceptional hospitality in the clubhouse and solid race management on the water to make the event so successful. GLYC ran a flawless series and much of the credit must go to Commodore James Frencheville and race officer Stuart Loft (Lofty) along with a host of volunteers. No one could have asked for a more obliging and cooperative club to host a regatta. Special thanks to James who on New Years Day (lay day) went to work at his shed to repair 'Splinter' so that the youth team of Taison and Jayden who had travelled from Rivoli bay SA, could continue in the series.

It’s always exciting rounding the top mark in some good breeze - 2010 Taipan and Capricorn National Titles - Evan Steele

Some highlights from the 2010 Taipan and Capricorn Nationals were:

.Close competition amongst the fleet was obvious when the first 6 places finished within 20 seconds of each other after a 50 minute race in heat 2. That's close racing. Positions were constantly changing in every race and from day to day, so places were critical even in the final race for determining the overall series results.

.The mix of male/female, father/daughter, brothers and husband/wife teams illustrated the amazing way sailing can provide a combination of meaningful family fun mixed with physically active sporting competition. There are very few sports where a person can compete with their family at a National level.

.There's a positive vibe amongst the Taipan class at the moment with new blood entering the class and the guns of the class returning to the fleet after racing F18's or A classes, or taking a break from sailing over the past couple of years. Although their return means us mid fleet hacks struggle to keep up, the guys always pass on their advice and it ensures we're all learning and getting faster.

.It was fantastic to have competitors from Darwin, South Australia, Queensland, NSW and Tasmania all attending the event in Victoria. Travelling such long distances shows a massive commitment.

Congratulations to the class winners: Les Porter in the cat rigged division Matt and Chris Homan in the 4.9 sloop division, Colin Andrew and Anthony Ducat in the Taipan 5.7 division and Leigh Thorne and David Veysie in the Capricorn class. A full list of results can be viewed on the Taipan website www.taipan.asn.au

Congratulations to the winners and thanks to everyone who made the event so successful. Next year the class will travel to Queensland where Hervey Bay will host the National Titles.