Intrusion win Victoria's S80 Championship for the 15th time
by David Judge 17 Jan 2023 21:26 UTC
Intrusion win S80 Class State Championships © S80 Association of Victoria
Luke Reinehr and crew performed yet another near perfect regatta to take out the 2023 State Championships. The three day regatta was held at Hobsons Bay Yacht Club in mid January with competitors experiencing the true variables of Melbourne's weather.
From champagne sailing on Day 1, to very hot gusty winds on Day 2 and then southerly winds on Day 3 conditions were close to the class wind limit. Intrusion was able to adapt to the changes and win 5 of the 7 races (coming 2nd in Race 5 and not having to compete in Race 7, taking it as a drop).
To win fifteen State Championships is even more remarkable given Luke has come second in a further nine championships. A Day 2 pre-race collision by 2nd placed Merak could have ended the 2023 regatta for Intrusion but quick work by its crew (a couple of engineers) fixed the damage and enabled the racing to continue.
"It was terrific to get back into full regatta mode after the wasted Covid years, and Hobbo's ran a very successful championship" said Intrusion's Luke Reinehr. "We have had a blast sailing Intrusion over a long period of time, and like all the S80's she is ideally suited to Port Phillip and excels in the light and then gets up and surfs when the typical sea-breeze or northerly kicks in. What we have enjoyed most though over the years, is sharing great sailing with a competitive crew of friends and the fun we have had both on and off the water."
The evergreen S80 Class numbers 20 active boats in Melbourne, spread across the main keelboat clubs in Port Phillip with a great fleet also in Perth. Many great sailors have started on the 8 metre keelboat and recall that it was some of the best sailing they have ever done.
In 2025, the Victorian Association will run its 40th Championships which goes to show what a legendary class it is.
The competitors were provided with GPS trackers so you can watch how Intrusion performed their magic. More details about the S80 Class is available at s80.org. At the upcoming Festival of Sails, the S80 Class will have the largest one design keelboat fleet.
In the handicap division, it was the young guns on Good Question who won the Frank Reinehr 'Most Improved' trophy.
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