2025 RC Laser Victorian State Championship – Portland Yacht Club
The 2025 RC Laser Victorian State Championship was held at the Portland Yacht Club over the weekend of 28–29 June, with 18 races completed across two days of fast, technical, and often unpredictable sailing.
Day 1 – Shifty Winds and Close Racing
Racing began under a fluctuating north-westerly breeze, ranging from barely 2 knots to gusts nearing 15. For most of the day, conditions hovered around a manageable 8–10 knots—enough to challenge sailors without overwhelming the boats. B rigs were the unanimous choice, with no one game enough to risk the nose-diving potential of the larger A rig in the gusts. The course, expertly set and managed by RO Geoff Beacham, was a classic windward-leeward layout that rewarded clean lanes, tactical awareness, and good downwind judgement. Weed made its presence known throughout the day, catching rudders and foils unexpectedly and compromising more than a few races. Daniel Bergan opened the regatta with a clinical win, while Brad Hein just edged out Darren Cathie in a tight finish for second. Apart from a tough Race 2 for Brad, those three consistently featured at the front of the fleet throughout the day. The only skipper outside the top three to claim a win was Adam Chambers, who paired that with a string of solid fourth-place finishes to keep himself in the mix. Throughout the fleet, there was plenty of close-quarters racing, with sailors often locked in battles within their groups. Other sailors with notable results were Grant Gillespie, Peter Murfett and Peter Trenorden claiming a 2nd place.
After 10 races, Brad Hein held a narrow overnight lead on 13 points, with Daniel Bergan four points back on 17. Darren Cathie, aided by three bullets, sat third on 27, just ahead of Adam Chambers on countback.
Day 2 – Gusty Wind, Weed, Strategy Games, and the Final Push
Day 2 brought a wind shift to the south, prompting a new course layout. The sun now sat low behind the bottom gate, making the right-hand mark a critical—and often difficult—choice. A few sailors experimented with A rigs during morning practice, but all quickly reverted to the safer B rig for the opening races. Daniel Bergan made his move early, reeling in Brad’s overnight lead with four consecutive wins to start the day. Darren and Adam were locked in close duels during the early races, until a low battery warning forced Adam to retire from the second race of the day. Darren capitalised, sailing consistently into second and third places as the day progressed. Adam bounced back with a win in Race 5 of the day, holding off Darren, who still secured a strong second. The weed issue worsened on Day 2, affecting every sailor, some worse than others. Boats were hauled from the water after almost every race—or at least sailed past for a check—while some competitors were forced to retire mid-race to clear the dreaded green hitchhikers. As the wind strengthened later in the session, with gusts around 15 knots, C rigs began to make their appearance. Most of the fleet made the switch—except Brad, who stuck with his B rig, believing he may have slipped to second overall. In a last-minute move, Daniel switched back to B rig just 30 seconds before the gun, aiming to match Brad and avoid a rig-based disadvantage. It may have backfired—Brad took the win, and Daniel finished fifth in that race. Gary Hein saved his best sailing for the last race, claiming first place, and bragging rights over his son Brad in second. Jeff Burford and Peter Lyons had a best race result of 4th and 8th for Des Hein.
Final Standings
Throughout the regatta, Daniel Bergan and Brad Hein were the clear standouts—rarely off the podium and showcasing impressive speed and decision-making across all conditions.
Daniel claimed his second successive Victorian Title with 28 points, two ahead of Brad on 30. Darren secured third place on 48 points, sailing a strong second day to finish seven points clear of Adam Chambers in fourth.
Thanks and Acknowledgements
A big thank you to:
- RO Geoff Beacham (Mawson Lakes MYC) for well-managed and fair racing in challenging conditions
- Scorers Dianne and Leesa Hein for keeping results flowing smoothly
- Rescue boat skippers Luke and Mick for their support on the water
It was a fantastic weekend of racing at the Portland Yacht Club, marked by great sportsmanship, tight competition, and a deserved winner.
