Hearty congrats to Gordon Ingate!

[bamamick]

The 82 year old won his FIRST (!) Prince Philip Cup this weekend in Hobart in a fleet of 17 Dragons. Sounds like some wild conditions with at least two race days shortened or abandoned because of winds in the 50 knot range.

Gordon was sailing a Petticrows boat that he just had shipped from the UK, one of several 'lightly used' Dragons brought out to Australia recently. Great to see one of the true 'Grand Old Men' of sailing pick up a victory and add his name to this prestigious trophy. See www.ryct.org.au for details of the event.

Gives me some hope. Hey, I've still got about 30 years left in me if Gordon is any indication :).

Mickey Lake

[skuthorp]

Way to go! I didn't think he was still with us!

[bamamick]

Did you know that Dragon World's will be at Melbourne in 2011? Pretty cool, eh?

Mickey Lake

[The Bigfella]

Local reports had him as 81 I thought. Ingate did an America's Cup campaign with Packer's old Gretel II in 1977. Average age of their crew was something over 50. They took to wearing shirts printed with "American daughters - lock up your mothers" on them.

[Chris.]

He deserves it - a top bloke with a great crew.
In January 2001(?), I saw a big Etchells event (nationals? IIRC) in Hobart. Like this year, it was a very windy event, nor-easters in the 40 - 50+ knot range. A couple of boats were swamped and went down, but later recovered.
Didn't stop anyone setting spinnakers tho - i don't think any boats were actually planing, but they were really moving downwind with some amazing stern waves being pulled up behind them. Quite a few masts went during that week.
BTW, these fires are causing real havoc with some bush-fires down there. Very nasty conditions for the firefighters.

[shamus]

Another Ingate achievement of note was second in Australia's first crack at the Admirals Cup back in 1965, in Caprice of Huon.