Remembering Mick

The 2022 Mick Hole Winter Keelboat Regatta has commenced in Pittwater.

Photography by Robert McClelland

11 July 2022

In a variable westerly, the first day of the Mick Hole Winter Keelboat Regatta got underway today, Monday 10 July, on Pittwater, with three sprint races sailed from the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC).

“We sail this regatta in honour of a very special bloke, whose memory is a reminder to all present and future members of what RPAYC is really all about,” said Simon Grosser, Director of RPAYC.

“The world would be a much better place with a few more Micks.”

Leading in the Etchells division of thirteen boats is Cam Miles on Sea Wings, who went to school with Mick Hole, and went on to sail with him as well.

“The best thing about today was sailing with mates I haven’t sailed with in years, and my 12-year-old son Darcy was calling the shots,” said Miles, current National Champion crew in the Etchells of today’s sailing.

Inevitable leads the Mixed Keelboat Division after three races

Jan Scholten and his team on DOT.

The start of the Mixed Keelboat race saw great sailing conditions.

Re-Heat sending it out on the water.

Leading in the Sports Boat division also in a fleet of 13 is the REO 7.2, Re-Heat skippered by Luke Ratcliff.

Ron Jacobs and the team on Karabos.

The start of the Sports Boat Division in Pittwater.

The Stig is being skippered by Scott Wallace.

Tickety Boo, skippered by Stuart Innes.

Director of RPAYC Simon Grosser aboard his yacht Young at Heart.

“On flat water, everyone was going the same speed, so it came down to the starts and rolling the fluffy dice across the cockpit floor, as it is in Pittwater in a Westerly.

“I went to school with Mick Hole and sailed many miles with him. He was a great man.”

Rounding out the podium in the Etchells class is Karabos, skippered by Ron Jacobs and DOT, skippered by Jan Scholten.

Leading in the Sports Boat division also in a fleet of 13 is the REO 7.2, Re-Heat skippered by Luke Ratcliff.

“We had our 29er skipper, Harley Ratcliff steering and we had US sailor Penny Meakins on the boat as well,” said proud father Luke Ratcliff, following their three wins today.

“Brett Davis made all the difference with his crewing today after coming off winning the 16ft Skiff Nationals with Malcolm Page and Nathan Wilmot, both Olympic gold medallists earlier this year.”

Two Shaw 650’s are in second and third; The Stig, skippered by Scott Wallace, and Stuart Innes’ Tickety Boo.

Leading in the Mixed Keelboats is Inevitable, an 11 metre built in 1993 skippered by Ron Palmer, over Simon Grosser’s Young 88, Young at Heart and Pacesetter, skippered by Andrew MacPhail, also an 11 metre.

The regatta will conclude on Saturday 16 July, with three more races scheduled.

rpayc.com.au

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