RACE BACKGROUND

Profile of Terry Fisher, by Kim Jamieson
Many of the Terry Fisher Double Handed Series competitors may not know who “Fish” was; noting firstly some details may not be wholly correct… 

Fish’s first two boats were sailed from South of Perth Yacht Club, an 18ft Red Witch and a M27 (Pac Man).  It was during this time that he met Gerry Harris, who had his own small yacht.  They had enough in common (drinking beer and sailing boats) to form a partnership to build a Kel Steinman 31.  They launched her around 1986 and named her Western Union.
This partnership became a legend around the Fremantle Sailing Club and offshore circles up and down this coast: Western Union for her outstanding performances against much larger boats and Fish and Gerry for their attitude toward sailing and socializing.

Some people who sailed with this “threesome” went on to bigger and better things. 
But most of us learnt nothing more than getting along with others and enjoying the racing of yachts.

The partnership between Fish and Gerry ended, but the Fish and Western Union partnership went on for a few more years.  The racing offshore was still good.  There were some tight battles with Krakatini at the front of the Division 2 fleet, but this did not reduce the beer on board and consumption.

Circumstances change and Fish became bored with the little boat, so he sold her and started building a JS32.  And so began a hard time for Fish.  Without going into too much detail, Fish was Swarbricked!

He sold the unfinished project and took a different tack.  Fish teamed up with Ian Stephens (Boora) in a lease of an Elliot 5.9.  With this boat, they competed in trailer-sailer regattas, ranging from Bunbury to Whoop Whoop.  It was the simplicity of this boat and the type of sailing that took Fish’s fancy, and began his interest in solo and short single-handed sailing.  He particularly liked the boats inspired from this type of race, simple but innovative.

Sadly, Fish passed away two months before the first race of what is now known as the Terry Fisher Double Handed Series.

The original format of the Terry Fisher Double Handed Series was six races sailed during the year and included only Division 2 and 3 boats.  The 20 or so mile course is sailed in the Cockburn Sound.