Archive for December 2016

Wishing all GFS members and their families a very Happy New Year for 2017.

Sydney Hobart results for some of the GFS or GFS related participants in 4 yachts are here.

Hi Everyone

Jackpot and Adrian are heading south on Boxing Day in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race!

It is the first time they have participated in the big race and it is an exciting and terrifying prospect.

They are lucky to have onboard some very experienced sailors some of whom sailed on Wild Rose ( the original Wild Oats ) with the late and esteemed Roger Hickman.

 Wild Rose raised funds during the RSHYR over the last 5 years and we would like to continue the tradition. The funds raised will go to the The Kids Cancer Project!

The link to the fund-raising page is at the end of this email and you can leave Adrian a message of support if you decide to contribute.

Thank you in advance and you can track his progress by going into the Rolex Sydney Hobart Tracker on the official website.

Warm regards from a nervous wife and supporter.  Maree

Go to  https://rolexsydneyhobart2016.everydayhero.com/au/jackpot

Ausreo (Caliban II) is also a competitor in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race this year.

GFS member Ian Creak in Calliban II has contested 2 previous races (2013 and 2014).

The crew includes Jim Lelliott as sailing master, Brett Haywood and ‘Balmain local’ David Stenhouse.

We wish them fair winds and good luck in the race.

Previous GFS Commodore Martin Sheppard who races with his brother Derek on their Beneteau 45, in a pre race interview stated that their yacht ‘Black Sheep, hasn’t thrown in the towel yet. There are lots of variables. You have to keep the crew together, the boat together. We’re still a long way out. I still feel like a kid before Christmas.’

 

 

Derek Sheppard, Martin Sheppard, Matt Allen (President Sailing Australia) and Paul Clitheroe iterviewed at the CYCA

 

Follow the race here

 

I believe Ralph Pickering and his son Angus are also sailing on Ariel a Beneteau First 40.

 

The planned GFS cruise to Echo Point in Middle Harbour has been moved from the Christmas New Year break until Easter Saturday and Sunday of the New Year.

 

The restaurant at the marina is closed between Christmas and New Year but will be open at Easter.

 

More details will be posted nearer to the event.

After the preceding wet Friday Summer Race 3 was sailed in warm sunny conditions albeit with a failing breeze and huge run-out tide. A shortened course saved the pain of having to negotiate Humbug against the torrent on the way to the finish.

Jackpot (pictured) is sailing in the Sydney- Hobart race and was at the club doing their final inventory, preparation, man overboard drill and crew briefing.  Ausreo (Calliban II) representing GFS is also contesting the race. We wish them both a safe and speedy race.

In Blue Division 1 Chloe led the way in the shifty conditions winning on the water and handicap by a considerable margin. Forte Forever finished ahead of Blue Chip on the race through the computer to grab the minor places.

In Green Division 2 Flair made a fabulous start led at the Compass mark held on to the leaders at Goat and were then swallowed by the tide.  Hasta La Vista took the lead after catching up to the early leaders – Velocity and Speedwell.  Paca again sailed an excellent race to be up with the leaders and finish second on the water ahead of Velocity. Handicap results to Hasta from Paca and Speedwell.

I wish all Saturday competitors a Merry Christmas and a safe holiday break and look forward to resuming the Summer Series on January 7, 2017.


Prizes for Best dressed boat/ Best dressed crew/Carols/Christmas hamper raffle and more

Table Bookings Essential……contact Glenda Cameron-Strange glenjcs@bigpond.com or 0419 983 680

 

RV coming as RV this year! Opening for a best dressed Santa…..

Again the wind prediction was off the mark with the expected light winds developing into stronger guts which occasionally reached 20 knots. Wind shifts added to the challenge.

Irukandji powered away from the fleet in Blue Division 1, leaving the rest of the fleet in its wake.  The Etchells, Chloe and Foxy were able to gain the upper hand through the computer to overtake Irukandji on handicap.

In Green Division 2 the fleet powered away from Flair with Paca firstly challenging Hasta La Vista and then Gwhizz took up the challenge.  Umzimkulu II sailed an excellent race to finish ahead of Paca and Hasta La Vista on handicap.

Again, I need to remind all competitors that the area between the Red Channel Marker (Beacon Buoy) and Spectacle Island is a prohibited area – see Sailing Instruction 25 n for an explanation.

A great day on the water albeit with short courses which were called as a result of the BOMs wind prediction for Sydney with 10kts and falling breeze.  Sadly the actual conditions didn’t comply. As it was it took around 2 hours for most boats in Blue and White Divisions to complete the race.

bc

The arrival of the tanker also presented an unknown as to when it would make it through the congested harbour after its scheduled arrival time at the Heads.  Fortunately, Red Division remained ahead of it and the remainder of the fleet followed it through the narrows to its berth at Gore Cove.

 

Thanks to Harvey Porter for manning the start, recording the finish and entering the results with the regular starters competing in the Greenwich Games.

 

It seemed to be fairly close on the water in all divisions with handicap results in Blue to Hasta La Vista from Blue Chip (pictured) and StarElan.  In White the Etchells had the upper hand with Chloe on the water and handicap from Eggshells and Forte Forever.  In Red Wind Charmer powered away to be back ahead and with Paca shared the placings on handicap.

Roads and Maritime Services are running flare disposal days at various venues in January 2017.

The program for Sydney area is below.

Details are available on the RMS website or here.

 GFS SailPass
 GFS SailPass

Crew List
Entry
- here

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