Please review this information which was presented at the 2025 Rules Night to ensure you are mindful of what was discussed.
The information is on the Sailing – Racing Information page or via this website or via this link.
Well done to Chris O’Neill and Jason King for completing the 80th Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race in the Double Handed Division.
Click to enlarge
The Twilight Colour Coded Course Sheet has been updated. Previously it was missing Course 50. See Sailing – Yacht Racing Information or this link – Twilight Course Sheet V2.
12 months ago a fatal accident occurred during a Friday night Twilight race on Sydney Harbour.
GFS offers condolences to the families and friends affected by this tragedy.
An Australian Sailing Inquiry into the accident found crew on the yachts involved had difficulty explaining their exact location when calling Triple Zero. The Inquiry recommended all skippers download the Emergency Plus app https://www.emergencyplus.com.au/ on their phone so they can provide a precise location in the event of a serious incident.
There were other apps recommended in the report, such as What Three Words, however, for national purposes, Australian Sailing recommends Emergency Plus. This is a free app developed by Australia’s emergency services with their Government and industry partners. The app uses GPS functionality built into smart phones to help a caller to Triple Zero to provide accurate location details. The Emergency Plus app is available on the App Store and Google Play. Download it today and practise using it.
Australian Sailing major incident reports are here.
More information can be found here
Please be aware that the club is officially switching from using VHF72 to VHF73 for all communication between the club and the start and competing boats. This is for both Twilight and Saturday racing.
The GFS Sailing Instructions have been upgraded to reflect the change to VHF73.
To keep data, reduce risk and comply with our Sailing Event notification the club requires any on water incidents to be reported to incidentreport@gfs.org.au.
There are two forms available on the Sailing – Yacht Racing Information page of the GFS website to do this –
- GFS Incident Report – Yellow Form
- Transport for NSW – official Vessel Incident Report Form (see GFS Sailing Instruction 25 (t) for when this form applies)
Saturday Summer Series Race 4 is this Saturday – January 3.
In retrospect it was a good decision to cancel Saturday Summer Race 1 on November 29, the predicted wind gusts reached 30kts +.
Click the image to enlarge it.
A decision regarding racing at GFS tonight will be made at 3.20pm.
If the race is cancelled the BBQ will still be on.
To enter the Saturday and Twilight Summer Series on SailSys.
Go to – https://app.sailsys.com.au/club/14/entry?tab=entry
GFS is conducting a Sail Safe Event at the club on Saturday November 29 from 9.00am to 12 noon.
All are welcome.
For more information and to register for the event click here
The email address for the GFS Safety Officer has been updated in the Sailing Instructions – safetyofficer@gfs.org.au
There is a QR code on the members fridge to allow for cashless purchases. If possible, please use this method of payment.
Race 1 of the Women’s Helm Series is tonight – October 29.
21 boats have entered the Women’s Helm this year. This is a record number that shows strong support for the Club’s mission to get more women involved in sailing and Club operations.
Skippers and crew, keep an eye out for Women’s Helm boats this week. You’ll be able to identify them as they proudly fly the new GFS Women burgee alongside their usual flags.
Read the full report Womens Helm Article
