Saturday’s racing was held on the lake at Bettenay’s, renowned for its wines and nougat. We were received with a warm welcome at the cellar door by owner Greg Bettenay, with skippers rigging up on the lawn while most supporters an on-lookers observed from the warmth inside – the temperature was an unseasonably cool mid-teens with a strong biting Antarctic wind that made some of us briefly consider using a B rig. A windward - leeward course was set in direct view of the cellar door, making for great spectating. The southeast wind had the usual holes and shifts found at most racing venues, providing ample opportunity to gain and lose places. Presentation of pennants was by Greg Bettenay, who also donated a prize for the winner.

After 8 races it was Ron Viney who rose to the top, with four first places and a nett 9 points. Second was Andrew Donkin from Austin Lakes also with four first places and just one point behind on 10 points. Third was Wanderers Commodore Kim Klaka on 12 points and fourth was Wanderers Secretary Keith Morris.

Many of us stayed on to sample the delights of Bettenay’s products, then headed into Margaret River for a very sociable dinner at the Settler’s Tavern.

Sunday dawned a bit brighter and just a tad warmer, with the southerly wind easing a couple of knots. Today the venue was Black Brewing, with its pretty large lake and over-the-water restaurant. Restaurant Manager Marty had everything organised for us when we arrived at the excellent rigging area on the Island Deck opposite the restaurant. A windward-leeward course was set up which provided excellent viewing from the restaurant balcony and beer garden, though it contained some difficult wind shadows and eddies. The bottom mark was a long way away almost dead downwind from the Island Deck, making mark rounding about as accurate as a game of blindfold pin-the-tale-on-the donkey. Lesson learned, next time we’ll bring the mark much closer and probably set a gate.

Again we managed to complete 8 races, and again it was Ron Viney who led the fleet with four wins and a nett 10 points. Just one point behind was Kim Klaka with two wins and 11 points, with Andrew Donkin third with one win and 16 points. Wanderers Treasurer Allan Pride also won one race, finishing fourth overall. A prize for the winner was donated by Black Brewing and a special prize was presented by WRSC to the undisputed overall winner for the weekend, Ron Viney. Full results below.

Special thanks go to Keith Morris for bringing all the equipment down; to our very professional scorers Annette O’Mahoney and Ann Morris; to the venue hosts Bettenay’s and Black Brewing; and to all the participants.

Photos of the event are on the Wanderers website gallery at mailto:https://wanderers.rsawa.asn.au/index.php?page=Gallery