Archive for July 2017

Apologies to Channel 9

This year, on Saturday August 12, the popular Block renovation series heads to Greenwich, a small riverside suburb in Sydney’s north.

Participants, who Patron Keith says “are all up for the challenge”, will renovate the ageing weatherboard heritage clubhouse in various teams in a range of tasks.

Perhaps referring to some of the participants, Commodore David announced “They’re all in their 90s now, relics from a bygone era, and sure, they need some TLC, but it would have been heartbreaking to see them all bulldozed”.

Architect and Clubhouse Manager Mark said the clubhouse would be on “Death Row”, earmarked for demolition if the willing band of anticipated participants fail to show up.

Safety is always a concern in any renovation exercise and Safety Officer Julian has taken enormous leaps to ensure safety procedures are in place and to this end the defibrillator will be checked as will the contents of the medical kit.

This year teams of ‘Blockheads’ will represent Twilight Blue, Twilight Black, Twilight Gold, Twilight White, Twilight Orange, Twilight Green, Saturday Blue, Saturday Green/White, Sunday Laser, Sunday Juniors, The Joe Walsh Group, Mick York Crew and The Cruisers and will contest what promises to be a spectacular event.  Team organiser and Membership Secretary Chris expects the team challenge to surpass that of previous seasons.

The Deck of Knowledge will provide a suitable back-drop for many of the activities and Protest Convener Mike will be on hand to solve any disputes. Any on water activities will be carefully managed by Rear Commodore Junior Rob with technical assistance from Laser Manager Ian who will also ensure that strict environment precautions are in place.

To feed the hungry renovation teams Social Secretary Glenda has sourced the finest array of cultured beef for the BBQ which will signal the culmination and end of the event.

All-in-all it promises to be a fabulous opportunity to get together and help Maintenance Mark keep the clubhouse ship-shape.

It scarcely seems winter, so faint is the breeze
That stirs the GFS pennant there on the mast,
So idly on high float the white sails along,
So sweet is the note of the delayed start’s song,
So lazily loiter the yachts where they stand,
So warm is the sunshine that lies on the crews.                                        Apologies to Andrew Downing

 

WHWS Race 6 proved to be a non-event with the race failing to start.  There could have been several reasons for this – lack of enthusiasm shown by crews on yachts, the euphoria after both DSC and BSC Annual General Meetings held the morning before the race, lack of beer on the start boat or perhaps lack of breeze. However a lovely Winter’s day to be out on the water as evidenced by the smiling faces of skippers and crews as they drifted past the start boat

There is one remaining chance for the wind to turn up!

Race 7  Sunday July 30

Following the race there will be presentations at DSC for the winners of the series in each division.

If you really wish to join in for the LAST race –

The Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions are on the Balmain Club Website or here –NOR and Sailing Instructions.

Entry System via the Balmain Sailing Club’s website (scroll over the ‘Racing’ tab and click on ‘Race Entry (Keelboats)’.

GFS Yachts who have paid their annual fees can still enter this event at no charge.

All competitors will be racing under the Performance Handicapping System (PHS). However some have opted to race under the ORC Club Measurement based handicapping system.

Entries are now open for the 2017 – 2018 Sailing Season. Go to the Yachts – Racing Information page for details and instructions.

The link to the TopYacht Entry System is also on the Racing Information page or here.

Please make sure that you only enter the series in which you intend to sail.  The Season Program, Equipment Audit Form, GFS Safety Card and Sailing Instructions (full version) are also available on the Racing Information page.

‘We are voyagers set on a course towards destiny’ …………….  Well not quite – a beautiful winter’s day – sunshine and a chill in the air, but no breeze for the WHWS Race 5.

However, the start boat crew provided the destiny by abandoning the race. There was an attempt to lay a shortened finish line at Balmain but it soon became evident that given the incoming tide too many yachts would not make it even that far.

 

 

 

Passion X (Click to enlarge)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Only two races remaining in the 2017 Winter Series and hopefully with these closer to August there may be more wind

Remaining West Harbour Winter Series, 2017 Race Dates

July

16

WH Winter Series Race 6

July

30

WH Winter Series Race 7

Results are on the BSC website or here.

The Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions are on the Balmain Club Website or here –NOR and Sailing Instructions. Entry System via the Balmain Sailing Club’s website (scroll over the ‘Racing’ tab and click on ‘Race Entry (Keelboats)’.

GFS Yachts who have paid their annual fees can still enter this event at no charge.

All competitors will be racing under the Performance Handicapping System (PHS). However some have opted to race under the ORC Club Measurement based handicapping system.

 GFS SailPass
 GFS SailPass

Crew List
Entry
- here

GFS Facebook Group