1 minute read
DIVISION ONE RAMBLINGS
quest for the Golden Fleece. In WA the prized racing trophy is the Siska Trophy which was donated by Royal Dutch Shell and won by Rolly Tasker. Shell’s Logo is a Golden Fleece!
Argo
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We went on to dominate the Division 2 Offshore fleet for the next 3 years winning most series and races targeted, but the Siska remained elusive as Craig Carters new Karkeek ticked a few more boxes for offshore optimised yachts and took a firm hold on the Bluewater series.
The consolidation of the offshore fleets into two divisions in 2016/17 put Argo back into the mid fleet position in Division One and the differing performance attributes between the Fat 40s and the planing GPs has resulted in new challenges to be met. Throughout this ARGO has been consistent with its participation in SoPYC premier racing events at Geraldton getting onto the podium each year and winning the inaugural Batavia Coast Regatta in 2018.
Having raced up and down the coast for 8 years, tacked on a Darwin Dilli and Darwin Ambon on Endorfin as internationals and eventually the Sydney Hobart in Abbotts Vamp in 2019 it was time to move on from the offshore circuit. In 2020 Argo was brought back up the river and Numbers Game was sold as two river racing yachts made no sense at all.
Sp41 Helios Ii
Argo has finished its quest for the Golden Fleece and contrary to all conventional sea lore Argo, championed under the mantle of the son of Helios re-emerges as the grand old daddy himself Helios II
Helios started her life as a bold yellow race yacht and Helios II continues that tradition. The Bold yellow is now blended with the rich twilight golden hues and the blue of the night where its two personalities meet. Its even got a card table and door on the toilet and the Twilight crew gather on the rear deck with their feet dangling in the river on the warm nights. And while that may not be great for racing the War Office is still happy !
In the hours of daylight Helios II is able to rattle her optimised bits, chase the first winds and give the crew a racing thrill. Its livery is a bold statement that racing and yachting should be fun and nothing in life should be taken more serious than having fun while going sailing.
~ Chris Higham
