THIRTEEN teams from the Port Lincoln and Coffin Bay Yacht Clubs travelled to Largs Bay in Adelaide recently for the 51st National Heron Titles, which was won by local duo Phil Kelly and Lauren Henderson sailing Drop Bear.
Fifty-eight competitors from Queensland, Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia competed in the hotly contested regatta.
The regatta was sailed in varying conditions from thumping 25 knot sea breezes to teasing light air and strong tides, which at times made conditions challenging.
Port Lincoln and Coffin Bay boats performed well with Drop Bear skippered by Phil Kelly and crew Lauren Henderson winning the national title, just ahead of NSW entrant Two Goats sailed by Greg and Emma Harris, with the final result decided in the last leg of the last race.
Paul and Nikki Giadresco sailed well to finish seventh overall in Nikkem, also winning the first family skipper and crew award and were the second SA boat.
Fierce Creature, sailed by Ryan Kelly and Mark Barwick, won the first junior award for the second year in a row.
Other local boats to feature throughout the regatta were Bugger sailed by Bronte Flint and Emily Giadresco, who finished a solid 12th overall.
Ben and Alyssa Kelsey sailing Neptunes Ark were competing in their first heron nationals and came away with some pleasing results to finish 18th overall.
Not far behind was Game On, James Flint and Karlee Barwick, enjoying the windy races to finish 21st overall.
Matt Stephens and Georgina Hughes, sailing the oldest boat in the fleet, Cheeky, and showed a liking to the fresher races to finish 22nd in the regatta.
Other boats to compete from Port Lincoln and Coffin Bay were: 26th - Squib, Michelle and Thomas de la Perelle; 29th - Unleashed, Joe Kelly and Ashleigh Dyer; 30th - Unique - Davis Perin and Amy Perin; 36th - White Ghost, Richard Davidson and Sue Davison; 44th - The Boat That Rocked, Lyndon and Pagan Henley; and 45th - Rich and Famous, Jake Clarke and Courtney Henley.
Also, local sailor Jesse Schmerl crewed on a boat Skinny Dip that finished eighth overall, and Jessica de la Perelle crewed with her grandfather on Splash and were 27th overall.
The most successful boat from Port Lincoln and Coffin Bay on handicap was The Boat That Rocked, sailed by Lyndon and Pagan Henley, finishing seventh, with Cheeky, sailed by Matt Stephens and Georgina Hughes 10th, and White Ghost, Richard Davidson, 11th.
It was a good representation from Port Lincoln and Coffin Bay with good tight competitive sailing and great family support both on and off the water.
The good results were a reflection of the invaluable support and assistance from Port Lincoln and Coffin Bay Yacht Clubs over the years.
During the regatta a New Year's Eve function was held at Port River Sailing Club with Heron Idol Night, which was full of laughs.
Completing the regatta was the presentation night and the handover for the next regatta to Victoria, which will be held at St Leonard's Yacht Club near Geelong from January 14 to 21, 2011.
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