The update for the sharpies in Tassie must start off, with the conclusion to last years sailing the premier blue (cold) water event for sharpies. THE SWANSEA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS, also known to locals as the SHARPIE WORLDS. Big waz young and the boys in impact showed a clean pair of heels on day one with a couple of bullets closely followed by rowdy ( smoke ) and drew ( naviguesser ). The reigning title holders in tassie - fraser, wellsy and fred were caught back in the pack showing that they could be beaten. The winds gradually built as the day progressed but it just wasn’t enough for the hump to lift it's bum and come to life. Rick was sorting out teething problems with the she-men behaving badly and muir wenches and big dave rees were keeping all honest. A few ales that night were enjoyed by the boys, but wasn’t as big as the year before where waz and flemo mustered the troops to ring the church bell late one night. Day 2 and the seals were scurrying for cover as a beautiful 30+ NE breeze was whipping across a flat great oyster bay chop. With the breeze up the boats certainly took a hammering and when the 3 or 4 races were concluded that day we had a tie for the states, with big waz going down on a count back, to fraser and the boys.

6 months later..........as we woke from hibernation we realised that impact would adopt a new state as wazza finally hung up the boots and parted with his beloved sharp stick. Himself and will had dedicated a decent 15 years to the cause down south as well as competing in nationals with good success. The class will certainly miss them!  Opening day produced a fair amount of wind with rowdy and the smoke boys taking a screaming ride from the bridge to the yacht club via the flag vessel at full noise! Later that night the remainder started early for the jug a lug! Whether the trial run works is yet to be seen but hopefully will put the MAPPAS, in stride for the race that stops a sailing club.

Nick Behrens the aussie 470 rep came down to lend a hand one blustery weekend, and with a crack team on the start boat the weekend went off without a hitch. Rick ( stick man ) decided to part with $1500 at the casino, when he snapped his rig no more than 50 metres off the banks of wrest point. The sponsor sluts peeled off the logos and underneath they found the original name. So once again tassie has an impact competing in the nats. This team shows what sailing in tassie breeze is about with their heads out the boat all the time. The remainder are left fighting for the scraps but with an adelaide sea breeze on offer the tas team is starting to fire up! Looking forward to enjoying an ale with all in Adelaide.

Peter Harvey

(foreign correspondent)