Andrew Grist wins third straight WA radio sailing title and credits growth of club in Albany for his success

Some take the sport seriously and others use it as a reason to get out of the house. Whatever the case, the sport of radio sailing is booming in Albany. Boasting the biggest membership base in WA and having recently returned from a successful State championships campaign, Albany Radio Sailing Club is on the rise. A group of sailors from Albany travelled to Austin Lakes in Pinjarra this month to compete in the Dragon Force 65 and Dragon Flite 95 State Championships. A fleet of 13 DF65 boats competed in 20 races to kick off the titles with Albany pair Geoff Oliver and Grant Turnbull finishing third and fourth respectively. The next day a fleet of 16 of the bigger DF95 yachts competed in 16 races where Albany’s Andrew Grist emerged victorious, edging out clubmate Oliver by a single point. After claiming his third straight WA title, Grist credited his success to the tough racing at home. “It’s due to the amount of people at the club and how strong the fleet it is down here,” he said. “Some people use the sport just to get out of the house and get some fresh air or you can take it right up to states or worlds.” Family commitments and the heavy cost of sailing bigger boats led Grist to radio sailing about a decade ago. “I’ve had a young family and other commitments and it was just the low cost,” he said. “The convenience, you’ve still got the sailing and competitiveness, everything without the cheque book. “Since the club has embraced the Dragons it has grown in leaps and bounds because of the entry price. “These are one of the best boats to learn how to sail and how to tune, you can adjust everything.” Oliver, who also sails bigger boats locally, said the radio version was a lot of fun. “It’s a good, clean, healthy sport and we need to get more young people involved,” he said. “You’ve still got all the tactics and strategies and still have the chess of sailing, as they call it.” Albany Radio Sailing Club Commodore Geoff Cass said the club raced three different classes on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday each week and had about 35 members. “The average age is about 60-65,” Cass said. “It’s about getting people out together. The social side of this is great but it’s also very competitive. “A lot of retired sailors from Princess Royal Sailing Club have joined. “We welcome any interested people to come along.” Cass said the basic cost of a boat was about $300 to $500. The club, which races at the lake off Sanford Road in Centennial Park, hopes to host the State championships next year.