If you can’t beat ‘em… Shoot ‘em!

What a massive weekend in sport! Wynnum Manly Yacht Club again showcased an awesome day of racing with the final chapter of the St Helena Cup for 2006 taking place on and around Moreton Bay.

However for most it was an extreme struggle to emerge from the comfort of cushions, mattresses, bean bags, boots of cars, park benches, bathrooms, and back patios to prepare for the second endurance based race for the weekend.

Some didn’t even make the start line… The “Too Hard Basket” was packed to the rim and the distant call of the couch, TV remote and Bathurst resulted in one particular yacht to remain berthed in the security of the marina.

After the “Character Building” first race and the forecast of fresh to frightening for the second resulted in me and another crew member to farewell our friends at the dock, climb aboard a powerboat and join the competitors from behind a lens.

If you can’t beat ‘em, shoot ‘em!

I took the opportunity to test out the new edition to LSD family – a kick arse camera that would enable us to capture moments often missed by the naked eye.

Of course it’s disappointing to fail to finish a regatta, however witnessing others tackle the breeze was just as exciting.

Today I saw it all.

In one race there were three starts (and that was just the monos), rigging becoming entwined with that of another, the fastest yacht in the fleet being buried by 24 footers, shredded kites, nose dives, dolphins, disco dancing, dagwood dogs and derrières.

Yacht racing always promises excitement, awesome rides and serious damage to cheque books!

Well done to all the competitors who actually made both races, and to Wynnum Manly Yacht Club for keeping it real and sticking to a well oiled groove.

The results will soon be posted on the WMYC website, and my attempt as a photographer can be found in the LSD Gallery (click here).

Our next Quest will be to finish what we started!!!