25 January 2012
After six years of undoubtedly playing it over … and over … and over in his mind, Greg Harris’s winning moment finally came last Saturday when he crossed the line first in the seventh and final race of the 53rd National Heron Championships.
But he had to fight all the way, with Paul Armstrong (from Dobroyd Aquatic Club) never letting him out of his sight.
"I credit a large part of this win to my fantastic crew, Kai Johnston, who only started crewing at the beginning of this season, but has become really professional at the tender age of eight,” says Greg.
"I have been on the cusp of winning this title for five or six years. It is with the assistance of our coach, Narrabeen Lakes Sailing Club stalwart Rhys Llewellyn, and Kai, that we finally got mentally and physically prepared to take out the title. It's fantastic to win the championship for NLSC."
The 10-day regatta was held at Lake Macquarie and hosted 62 boats from all over the country, 12 of which heralded from Narrabeen.
Greg wasn’t the only Narrabeen sailor to take out a top gong though. Ian and Annie Macgregor won the trophy for the first unplaced NSW boat, Georgia Llewellyn (crew Eleanor Macgregor) was the second placed lady skipper and third placed junior. Emma Harris was the 4th placed lady skipper. Narrabeen also boasted three of the top ten boats, with Greg in first place, Ian Macgregor in eighth and Ian Milton in ninth.
But congratulations really needs to go to every skipper and crew member out there. We had every sort of weather during the series, from 18-20 knot breezes which challenged the back of the fleet, a storm squall and driving rain that drenched us all, seven knot breezes and chop that turned the lake into a washing machine and comfortable 12-15 knot days.
On two of the sailing days we even got to play with the big boys. Not only did we share our course with Etchells, but we had 40 and 50ft yachts crossing our paths as we all raced to our respective finish lines.
But, of course, we didn’t just sail. We danced the night away on Rock Star night, laughed, clapped and cheered our way through Heron Idol night and celebrated a fantastic series at Presentation Night.
I think I speak for everyone who attended when I say it really was an exciting, fun – albeit exhausting – regatta.
Jump onto the Narrabeen facebook page to see a bevy of photos of our local sailors as well as some very funny social pictures. While you are there, remember to ‘like’ the page so you can get regular updates and photos.Feel free to send the links of our website and facebook page to friends and family so they too can see just how much fun we have, and how much we all love our sport.Our website ‘gallery’ page is almost up and running, so you will find regular photos appearing there soon too.
Other nationals links
• Series results
• Social event photos
• The complete box set of sailing photos (courtesy of Deck Hardware)