Radio yacht skippers take places in national titles

Umina residents Phil Page and Frank Russell placed second and third respectively at the Australian titles for 10rater radio yachts which was held over three days from January 10 to 12 at Emerald Lakes on Queensland's Gold Coast.

Mr Page led the series up until the last day when a few errors in judgement and boat problems gave Scott Condie from Kogarah Bay Club the lead which Page could not recover.

Russell maintained third place throughout the series until the last three races when Owen Jarvis claimed third.

However, Frank managed to win the final race which allowed him to reclaim third place.

Phil was sailing a UK design boat called Diamond and Frank was sailing his own designed and built boat called Phoenix 5.

NSW had a team of 10 skippers compete amongst a total of 26 entrants.

Six skippers were from the Northern Mariners Club which sails from Mount Penang Dam on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month.

Although the weather was hot and humid, the skippers enjoyed good breezes and sailing conditions over the series.

Mr Page also competed in the Marblehead division from January 13 to 15.

Email, 14 Jan 2013

Marilyn Russell, Umina

Photo: Marilyn Russell