Sculptor creates sailing trophy
Multi award-winning Australian sculptor Mr John Woulfe, of Daleys Point, has created the new Rolly Tasker Memorial Perpetual Trophy for the line honours winner in last month's Fremantle to Bali yacht race.
Commissioned and donated by the Government of Western Australia and presented by the Deputy Premier Dr Kim Haines, the trophy was a true replica of Tasker's famous red sloop, Siska, with the winner receiving a half-size replica.
Mr Woulfe uses iconic and rare Australian timbers such as red cedar, huon pine, blue gum and jarrah as well as stainless steel and Sydney sandstone.
He is renowned for his polished finish which attracts light and conveys the illusion of movement.
On the eve of the event, a farewell dinner was held at the host club, Fremantle Sailing Club.
The night was sponsored by the Indonesian Government's Tourism Department and featured traditional music, dancers and Indonesian food.
The race day saw a pre-event parade of Sail in Fremantle's Inner Harbour which offered an up-close view of the 33 yachts heading for Bali, with crowds gathering to watch the race start.
The race, during which competitors encountered huge swells, featured a cavalcade of dramatic events as the Fremantle to Bali ocean classic unfolded.
The eventual line honours winner, in a new race record time of five days, 23 hours, 30 minutes and 24 seconds, was Super Sled, previously known as Nicorette, of Sydney to Hobart fame.
General Lee, an 11.3 metre Blakewell-White design, which had been forced to anchor kedge for a few hours within sight of the finish after being caught in the Lombok current while waiting for a wind, recovered to gain the overall honours.
In the general rally component, Yandanooka was victorious, taking out both the multi-hill and the overall rally sections.
The vessel's sailing master was Hardys Bay resident Mr Adrian Williams, himself a veteran of 10 Sydney to Hobart campaigns.
Established in 1981 and covering 1440 nautical miles, the Fremantle to Bali race rally is one of the longest ocean races emanating from an Australian port.
Email, 3 Jun 2013
Allan Wilson, Hardys Bay Residents Group