Albany hosts WA Mirror Championships as Royal Freswater Bay pair claim convincing victory

A masterful display from Simon Barwood in Bulletproof helped claim the 2021 WA Mirror Championships held in various conditions in Albany last week.

Representing Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, Simon Barwood and his crew Tyson Barwood were unstoppable on their way to a convincing State title on the waters of Princess Royal Harbour.

Princess Royal Sailing Club hosted the WA Mirror Championships, consisting of 10 heats that began on Wednesday and wrapped up on Friday.

The 10 heats were conducted around a harbour course in very trying conditions.

On Wednesday morning, two heats were sailed but as the winds picked up to 26 knots, sailing was abandoned for the day.

The winds were favourable for sailing on Thursday, and knowing the easterly would pick up in the afternoon, it was decided to squeeze in four heats before lunch.

It was hectic as the class raced back-to-back, but Bulletproof by this stage was the dominant boat in the championships.

The Barwoods won the four of the morning’s heats to establish a handy lead on the tally board.

On Friday morning the winds were down to six knots and it was planned to again sail the last four heats before lunch.

The racing in these four was the closest for the whole series and with most of the 12 Mirrors using spinnakers to make a colourful sight on the harbour.

The Barwood duo proved too strong, easily claiming victory in the final standings.

Take A Bite skippered by Ella Maesepp from Walpole Yacht Club with Marianne Perrie as crew finished in second place.

Third went to 2Pudd skippered by Doug Pianta from Maylands Yacht Club with Haro Armstrong as crew.

Skipper Peter Judge from Royal Freshwater Bay and crew Janie Judge were fourth in Bombora.

The three-day sailing event was hailed a success by organisers with visitors enjoying the hospitality from hosts Princess Royal Sailing Club.