Archive for April 2017

 

The new edition of the Special Regulations comes into effect on 1 July 2017.

 

Please find below the list for the upcoming NSW Equipment Auditor Seminars aimed at updating auditors on the new Special Regulations.

 

AS/NSW – Equipment Auditor Seminar (RSYS)  9 May 2017 6:30 pm to 8:00pm CLICK HERE  to register

AS/NSW – Equipment Auditor Seminar (MHYC)  10 May 2017 6:30pm to 8:00pm CLICK HERE to register

AS/NSW – Equipment Auditor Seminar (CYCA)  15 May 2017 6:30pm to 8:00pm CLICK HERE to register

AS/NSW – Equipment Auditor Seminar (RPAYC)  16 May 2017 6:30pm to 8:00pm CLICK HERE to register

The Final Countdown for the 2016 – 2017 Sailing Season. The weather proved to be a spectacular autumn day with a light breeze which may have reached 10 kts somewhere, actually a gust of 12 kts was recorded at Sydney Airport.

In Blue Division 1 the start was problematical with a couple of yachts glued to the start line. The maxis, Irukandji and Soundtrack took control of the race and were pursued by The Etchells group and Blue Chip.  Forte and Foxy kept close. With Forte in ascendency at the end behind Irukandji and Soundtrack. Sadly Soundtrack is lost in the computer (again). Provisional handicap results to Irukandji from Foxy and Forte. Series results to Foxy from Eggshells and Blue Chip. Overall season results to Foxy from Blue Chip and Eggshells.

 

Eggshells demonstrating the use of the human spinnaker pole!

 

 

 

In Green Division 2 the light breeze at the start resulted in some degree of intermingling with the Blue fleet.  Hasta La Vista did penalty turns and this allowed Umzimkulu II to make a break on the fleet. StarElan also managed to head the rest pursued by Gwhizz and Hasta. Paca and Joka again were close and Flair continued to play ‘catch-up’.  Umzimkulu II made it back first after and excellent sail ahead of Hasta La Vista after finally catching StarElan.  Handicap result to Umzimkulu II from Flair and StarElan.  Series result to Hasta La Vista and Paca equal and Flair next. Overall season to Umzimkulu II and Paca equal from Flair.

In the last race on Sunday April 9 of the Performance Cruising Division 2 Gwhizz won the race on handicap.

It was also comforting to see that boats in other areas get to stooge around blowing bubbles and waiting for the breeze to show up (see picture Courtesy David Edmiston) just like here at Greenwich..

Both Gwhizz and Passion X finished sixth in their respective divisions in the 3 race Performance Cruising Series in this year’s regatta; a very credible result.

At last clear skies and a breeze that arrived just before the start saw the fleet of 18 yachts set off from the club to their assigned rounding marks on the other side of the Harbour Bridge. Gusts of up to 18 kts kept skippers and crews alert. At least the harbour was relatively clear.

 

In Blue Division 1 results are provisional as it seems Soundtrack was lost somewhere in the computer.  Irukandji dominated the race and was back ahead of Flashback and the ever improving StarElan at the finish.  Handicap results to Clovelly Pacific from Irukandji and StarElan. Series to Blue Chip then Tana and then Flashback.

 

In White Division 2, Pistol Dawn was similarly impressive and established a lead. With Forte Forever in close pursuit they both established a break on the others. Foxy made it back behind them at the finish. Handicap results to Forte from Foxy and then Pistol. Series results to Eggshells and Forte Forever equal first and then Chloe.

 

 

In Red Division 2 Wind Charmer dominated the race from the start and was only momentarily caught in the disturbed conditions near the bridge. Paca again sailed well as did Barubi. The spinnaker or not run/reach home (see Umzimkulu II pictured behaving like a pendulum) allowed the ‘back markers’ to catch up lost ground. At the end, Wind Charma were back ahead of Paca and Joka and handicap results went to Flair from Wind Charmer and then Barubi.  Series saw a well-deserved win to Wind Charmer with Umzimkulu II and Flair equal second.

The 10th Anniversary Sail Port Stephens race week incorporating the Commodores Cup, NSW IRC Championships, Port Stephens Trophy (PHS), Australian Sports Boat Nationals and Super 12 NSW Championships runs from 3 – 9 April. The regatta is hosted by the Corlette Point Sailing Club.

Good luck to the following GFS skippers, yachts and crew competing in this year’s regatta contesting the Commodores Cup series. In Division 1 David Edmiston and crew – 7130 Passion X, in Division 2 Michael Groves and crew – 7034 Agrovation, Mark Cole and crew – 5201 All our Girls and Graeme Davey and Crew – 3425 Gwhizz. We wish them all well.

As a prequel to the event at Port Stephens a Saturday race from Pittwater to Newcastle took place. On Sunday a race in a 20-knot south easterly breeze propelled a record fleet in record time from Newcastle to Port Stephens. 42 yachts crowded the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club start line on a grey, windy harbour and then enjoyed a 22 mile two-sail dash across Stockton Bight in steep 2 – 3 metre seas.

 

 

 

7130 Passion X in the crowd at the start of the Newcastle – Port Stephens Race.

 

Follow the series results at https://www.sailportstephens.com.au/

 

Congratulations to Graeme Davey and the Gwhizz crew for placing third in the Division 2 Commodores Cup Series.

 

In Race 1 of the Performance Crusing Series both Passion X and Gwhizz were third in their respective divisions 1 and 2. Well done. Agrovation was sixth in Division 2.

 

 

 

 

J Force and Passion X in a Commodores Cup Race

 

 

Well, enough said!  Twelve boats pranced around the start boat for an hour or so before the starters collected their stumps and headed for the hills.

About an hour later a breeze strengthened enough but it was still very unclear as to whether it would last long enough for a race and by this time we had all disappeared.

I think perhaps a good decision, well done starters, again.

Anyway, pictured is Paca from last week.

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