Chloe Warner, Sam and Hugh Backwell competed in the 41st Minnow National Championships held in Darwin between 6 – 12 July 2019. Tom Warner helped the Race Management Team on the Open Course and Ed Warner was our coach. Making up the Victorian Team were the Hailes family from McCrae with 3 boats and the Melrose family from Gippsland with 2 boats.
The Melrose family drove from Gippsland towing their two boats. They got as far as Tennant Creek where their car broke down. Stuck with no way of getting to the regatta the ABC picked up the story and put a request for help out on Facebook. A Good Samaritan then drove 2000km to pick them up and get them to the regatta on time!
After measurement and the invitation race racing commenced on Monday 8 July 2019. 4 races were sailed each day except on the lay day and the final day. A total of 14 races were completed on both courses.
Each day the sun was shining (32 degrees) and the wind was light. The sea breeze arrived for one afternoon race. No crocs seen on any day.
Sam won the championships. His drops were an OCS on the last day and a third. Congratulations to Chloe for achieving her best result at a minnow nationals in race 13. Hugh won two races in the novice fleet.
On the lay day we went to Berry Springs and Litchfield National Park. Followed by dinner at Mindil Night Market.
It was a small but great regatta. Every minnow family should have this regatta on their bucket list. The 42nd Nationals will be held at McCrae between 2 and 8 January 2020.
