Veteran skipper celebrates his 80th year with a Club Marine Range Series victory”  
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Lou Abraham’s wins the Club Marine Perpetual Range Trophy for a record fifth time
Samuel Watson, Tuesday, 31 July 2007

Veteran skipper celebrates his 80th year with a Club Marine Range Series victory”

He might be the oldest and most revered offshore skipper in the country, but the fire still burns brightly for 79 year old Lou Abrahams from Sandringham Yacht Club, who showed the Victorian keelboat fleet competing in the Club Marine Range Series a clean pair of heels last season.
For a record fifth time in ten years, a Lou Abrahams owned Challenge keelboat has won this prestigious regatta.
Accepting the overall winners trophy tonight (Friday 6th July 2007) before nearly 200 people at the Royal Brighton Yacht Club, Lou who turns 80 in August and raced his yacht Challenge said,
 “This is a big thrill after we sailed so well in the Series despite racing an eight year old design Sydney 38. I still love winning and we are looking forward to doing it again next summer.
“Now I’m setting my sights on doing this year’s Sydney Hobart (his 45th) in Challenge with many of the crew from the Series that included Carl Schmidt on the helm and around the world sailor Ian Barney Walker.
Boats
Over 180 boats competing in three divisions (IRC, AMS and PHS) sailed seven races for individual Club Marine Range Series honours as well as the Club Premiership, which was won for the fourth time in a row by the near invincible Sandringham Yacht Club team.

Trophy Yacht  Skipper Club
Div 1  IRC Challenge Lou Abrahams SYC
Div 2  IRC Executive Decision Grant Botica  RYCV
Div 3 IRC Revenge Gordon Mather SYC
Div 1  AMS Horizon Sprint  Frank Hammond SYC
Div 2  AMS Executive Decision Grant Botica  RYCV
Div 3 AMS Revenge  Gordon Mather SYC
Div 1  PHS Merlion Eddie Mackevicius HBYC
Div 2  PHS Executive Decision Grant Botica RYCV
Div 3 PHD  Hands and Heels  Jill Marshall  SYC

           
The 2007 Champions and Awards Night was sponsored by Helly Hansen and Club Marine boat insurance and supported by Vic Health, Victorian State Government, Ronstan and Audi Centre Brighton.
More Info:  www.clubmarineseries.com.au 
Sam Watson – Program Co 0rdinator             Ph 03 9597 0066 - Button 1
Ross Kilborn - CEO Yachting Victoria             Ph 03 9597 0066 - Button 8
Media: Mike Sabey - Sabey & Associates Ph 9533 8030 Mob 0418 354 732
www.yachtingvictoria.com.au