Sue Burke was presented with the Val Hodge Trophy after Swallow, crewed by Jude Blackwood, secured a victory on Day 3 of this years’ Port Phillip Women’s Championship Series, held by the Royal Victorian Yacht Club on Sunday 28^th February.

It was a great result competing against a varying array of keel boats. Although the first race of two was due to start at 9.55am, there was a long postponement while 5kt ENE winds settled to the south and then later freshened up to 12kts for the second race.  Sue believed that she may be handicapped out after last year’s good result, being that it is raced on PHS (Performance Handicap System), so the win was a wonderful surprise. 

Despite initial light winds, it was a highlight that Swallow was the 4^th or 5^th boat around the top mark amongst the much larger boats and still with the main fleet at the leeward mark in the first lap.  With heavier winds it was also very satisfying to secure a second race win with a downwind spinnaker finish. RVYC Commodore Doug Shields presented the trophy to our victors.

Photo: courtesy RVYC