Dinghy Sports

Dinghy Sports Boats Take First 4 Places in the Most Recent Mirror Nationals on Port Phillip Bay

2012-01-23T18:23:00.005+11:00

Hugh (crew) and Mark(skipper) Phillips had a very successful campaign at Williamstown. The first four places were won by Dinghy Sports Built Boats. Words and photos by Rob Cruse posted on world sail.com

Mirror Class Australian Championships – A Family Affair

'Anita Scott-Murphy and Ben Cruse in 'Bob' on their way to a clean sweep in the Mirror Nationals - Mirror Class Australian Championships' Rob Cruse Click Here to view large photo

The 46th National Championships for the International Mirror Class dinghy has been completed at Williamstown Sailing Club in Melbourne, with Victorian mother / son combination Anita Scott-Murphy and Ben Cruse in 'Bob' comfortably winning the regatta after taking out first place in each heat.

In a close tussle for second, another family team (this time father / son) Mark and Hugh Phillips from NSW sailing 'Sponge Bob Square Boat' took out second place overall, after a close final heat with eventual third place boat, Tara Foster and Celia May in 'Jazze' (also from NSW). Mark is also the class boatbuilder in Australia, with his Dinghy Sports hulls filling the first four places.

As always the Mirrors featured a huge range of ages amongst competitors, including three boats with junior skippers and adult crews. A shining example was Optimist sailor turned Mirror skipper Lucy Ede (10 years old) who had her father, Fireball regular Nick sailing up front in 'Hello Kitty'. They took out the Classic trophy (gaff rigged) to the delight of the crowd on presentation night.

Lucky Ede skippering 'Hello Kitty' with her father, Fireball regular Nick up front - Mirror Class Australian Championships - Rob Cruse Click Here to view large photo

Although Anita and Ben managed to record eight straight heat wins to take the National title, it wasn’t all plain sailing as Mark and Hugh Phillips were first over the finish line in Heat 2, only to be scored OCS. As Mark recounted on presentation night, when they crossed the line to a silent finish boat only to see 'Bob' cross behind them and receive the gun, it was 'one of life’s learning experiences' for his son Hugh (age 8). Although their hard work in that heat came to nil, they were still were rewarded for a very consistent regatta with the Frank Buxton family trophy in addition to second overall.

The Mirror class in Australia is now looking forward to the 2012/13 Nationals in Tasmania which will be the selection regatta for the Australian team to the next Mirror World Championships, to be held in Ireland on Lough Derg in July 2013.

Hugh and Mark Phillips in 'Sponge Bob Square Boat' - Mirror Class Australian Championships - Rob Cruse Click Here to view large photo

Heron Nationals 2012

2012-01-17T14:36:00.001+11:00

Hugh and Mark first to the top mark in the Invitation Race

Good start Heat1

'Stop eating lollies Hughie this is getting serious'

Beep Beep Beeping good speed here

Photography courtesy Melissa Yeomans

Going For Gold at Sovereign Hill in Ballarat Victoria

2012-01-08T13:54:00.001+11:00

The Dinghy Sports boys went for gold on Port Phillip Bay in the Mirror Nationals at Williamstown Victoria over the new year and found silver instead, but there's more than one way to skin a cat..

An afternoon spent panning for Gold at Sovereign Hill in Ballarat had the desired effect.

We probably earned more that day than we do in a whole day at the boat factory. It was more fun too.

We found six or seven chips like this, which was very exciting. Gold fever set in and we were there for the duration.

Despite the heat wave, we could cool down as it's very thirsty work.

The Beach House Brats loved the history oozing out of every corner of this place.

The streets cleared as these guys marched into the centre of town.

Hugh was chosen at the gold pouring demo to hold the gold bar worth $160,000. A minute before this shot was taken the gold had been molten hot. It was very pure as they had used the same gold in the demo, since the 70's.

We went underground to try our luck as well.

Everyone came away a winner. Next up some great shots of the regatta.

Cruising Off Avalon

2011-12-16T06:59:00.000+11:00

Spray Painting for Boats and Yachts

2011-12-12T19:58:00.000+11:00

Don't have time to organise the spray painting of your yacht? Why not get Dinghy Sports to manage the job. No job too small. Great rates available!!!!

The Second Coming

2011-10-17T16:33:00.001+11:00

Hugh was out amongst it yesterday, putting all the skills he learned at last week's Spring Cup Regatta and yesterday morning's training session with Commodore Darrin into play. He is now forward tacking and leaning out like a champion. He managed to complete three races, all in second place, of which Carolyn and Mark were so proud. Most importantly he had a ball.

Hugh's mum and dad were out in the rubber duck cheering him on and giving him lots of unwanted advise. After Mark's 50 years of experience on the water, they still managed to run out of petrol twice. Luckily there were lots of BYRA people on hand to help. Next time they will take out extra petrol and if not, at least some oars.

The conditions were perfect for junior sailing and here you are viewing the beginning of a beautiful career on the water.

And They're Racing in the Spring Cup 2011

2011-10-10T08:11:00.001+11:00

Hugh raced in his first regatta, 'solo' on the weekend. He took part in the Green Fleet of the Optis at the Spring Cup on Pittwater, run by the RPAYC. He finished 4 races and most importantly had a ball. He improved greatly over the weekend, according to his dad Mark Phillips. So thanks go to Tom, the on course coach for that. After the regatta, Hugh said he wanted to sail around Scotland Island, which although not part of the racing, was his best performance yet. Apart from a nose dive due to high winds, which is now part of the Phillip's family folk law, Hugh was wrapped with his performance over the weekend and can't wait for the next Opti regatta.

Mark admitted before they left home, that he was more excited about the regatta than Hugh. Hugh's main interests currently, are Nerf Guns and Minecraft. But after this weekend, I think we can safely add sailing to the list.

We love your feed back, so leave us a comment and let us know what you think.

Regards

Dinghy Sports

Finn Restorations

2011-09-22T07:54:00.000+10:00

Dinghy Sports recently restored this 1972 Elvstrom Finn. It has been fitted out and rigged like a modern yacht. Features include:

Rubber grip floor
Carbon drain tube and hiking raiser
Latest rig

Mark, the Managing Director of Dinghy Sports, said the owner was really stoked with his 'new' boat.

Dinghy Sports Goes Skiing

2011-09-18T07:41:00.002+10:00

The Dinghy Sports kids went skiing last week. This was the little ones first time. Not bad for three days on skis. How lucky are these kiddos? Skiing on Friday and sailing on Sunday....now that's living!!!!!

Not much snow left but the Beach House Brats didin't seem to mind.

Post sailing BBQ every Sunday at BYRA

2011-09-12T08:20:00.000+10:00

Last night was the first post sailing BBQ for the season at BYRA. It was held on the new hardwood deck, which was totally refurbished by new Commodore Darrin Stollznow and the BYRA team in the off season.

So come and join us next Sunday for a BYO BBQ and a few laughs.

Regards

Mark Phillips

BYRA Sailing Season Begins Today

2011-09-11T06:28:00.000+10:00

BYRA opens for racing today and everyone is excited. The boats have been buffed and polished and team Dinghy Sports is ready for action. Here's to a wonderful season of fair sailing. Bring it on Huey!!!!!!

Junior Fishy Photo Comp

2011-09-10T12:11:00.000+10:00

This photograph taken by Darrin Stollznow, new Commodore for the 2011/12 season at Bayview Yacht Racing Association, recently won a photo competition held by the Australian Fishing Magazine. Hugh was pretty happy with the Shimano loot he received as a prize, for hooking this kingfish .

In Training for Mirror Nationals

2011-09-01T01:11:00.000+10:00

After coming home in 13th place in the Mirror Worlds last season in Albany Western
Australia, Mark and Hugh Phillips are hoping to blitz the fleet at the Mirror Nationals
coming up in Williamstown next January.

Albany was Hugh’s first World Championship event. In Williamstown they are
hoping to better the third place they achieved at the 2010 Nationals.

Laser Master World Championships

2011-09-01T01:08:00.001+10:00

Mark has just returned from San Francisco, where he was a competitor in the World
Laser Master Championships held at St Francis Yacht Club. He had a fantastic time
catching up with Laser mates. After a bit of bad luck and possibly a bit too much
partying, he achieved 14th place in the event. He’s very much looking forward to the
next Laser Master Worlds to be held in Brisbane in March 2012.