Archive for May 2018

Race 3 of the WHWS is this Sunday June 3 (Yes it’s finally Winter – weather and season).

Wind prediction looks as though the expected strong winds on Friday and Saturday may abate but may well be still be over 20, and up to 25 knots, and very south – rug up and use caution if you sail.

 

 

 

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Results are on the BSC Website or here.  A list of entrants for Race 3 usually will appear on the BSC site some time on Friday.

Good luck if you race.

The GFS Annual presentation again proved to be a winner. A great opportunity for on water rivals to chat and review the past sailing season. Well done to the winners. It was good to see a fair percentage of them on the Deck of Knowledge to receive their awards.

 

 

Commodore David thanked the people who assisted throughout the season – both the twilight and Saturday starters, the committee especially the retiring members, sponsors especially Joe Walsh for his generous donation of services to winners of the Down Harbour Series and participants in all club races. On a sombre note he paid respect to club members and associates who have passed on during this season – Bill Wilson, Geoff Ottewill, Ross Springer and Jeanette York (wife of trophy donor Mick).

 

 

 

 

Harvey Porter ably stepped in to represent sponsor Joe Walsh in presenting prizes for Saturday racing. Andrew Limmer presented the Twilight recipients with their awards.

 

 

 

 

 

GFS is a club managed by a volunteer committee. Each committee member takes responsibility for a specific area of the club’s operations. Roles include finance, membership, twilight organisation, secretarial, social, racing, safety, junior sailing and handicapping.

If you would like to be involved please make contact through the club website – several of the committee are taking leave and new members are required to fill their positions.

 

Yep! The annual prize presentation function.

Go and check the Series Race Results just in case you placed in a Series. However, there are some ‘secret’ awards for those who have done really well.

Nevertheless it’s an opportunity to light up the discussion on the DOK to another level.

Be there or be talked about (badly)!

Saturday May 26, warning signal 1500hrs

*DOK = Deck of Knowledge (What else!)

It is with much sadness that we note the passing of Jeannette York on May 3.

Jeannette  crewed on the Etchells ‘Rob Roy’ at GFS in Twilight racing with her husband Mick until recently and regularly came back to the club for dinner following the race.

In yachting circles she was renowned for her commitment and her knowledge.

The York family is part of the fabric of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s history. Jeanette joined the CYCA in 1952, serving 43 years on the Associates Committee, filling the role of President for six years. She became the first woman to be given Life Membership of the CYCA in 2002. Jeannette was awarded her Order of Australia Medal in 2015 ‘for service to the community of Drummoyne and to local government’.

Michael York OAM is the longest standing member of the CYCA, having joined in 1945. He competed in 14 Sydney Hobart yacht races and has represented Australia at the highest level, including the America’s Cup, Admiral’s Cup and Olympic Games, as well as many other international regattas.

A committal service for Jeannette was held at Macquarie Park Crematorium (Ryde), Camellia Chapel on Monday, 14th May 2018 at 11:30 AM.

Race 2 is this Sunday May 20 – Updated Divisions and Entries can be found here.

Race 1 saw boats out on the water on a beautiful Autumn day which finally saw the race commence when the breeze filled in after a delayed start. The course yesterday was shortened at the start for all divisions and further shortened during the race. It should be noted that when a course is shortened during a WHWS race, the committee boat will fly an ORANGE pennant and code flag S Flag and be positioned adjacent to a rounding mark. A black and white checked flag waved from the committee boat will signify that you have finished.

 

Yesterday’s course was shortened for all divisions at the Manns’ Point Mark. Race 1 results can be found on the Balmain Sailing Club website or hereStandout GFS performance in Race 1 was Hasta La Vista – first on handicap in Black Division.

Sailing Instructions and 2018 Course Maps are available from the BSC’s website. If you are a current member of GFS, PRSC or DSC and have paid your annual race fees you do not need to pay to enter and you can still enter using the Top Yacht Entry System by clicking here.

Please do not assume that you are in the same division as you were last year. Several boats have been moved to even out the number of boats competing in each division and to create closer racing.

 

All remaining Winter Series dates are as per the GFS Sailing program –

 

Race 2     May 20

Race 3     June 3

Race 4     June 17

Race 5     July 1

Race 6     July 15

Race 7     July 29

One of our long-standing GFS members was delighted with a fine, cool day to go and work on his yacht engine. He set off from home, unloaded his dinghy from the dinghy rack, dragged it as usual down to the edge of the pontoon, locked the clubhouse, hopped into the dinghy and with his hand pushed the dinghy away from the pontoon.

An unseen fish hook at the end of a fishing line caught in the side of his little finger. As the dinghy moved sideways from the pontoon the hook became embedded further into his finger.  With one oar and one hand he managed to move back closer to the ramp and the only way he had to free his hand was to chew his way through the nylon fishing line.  How he managed to drag the dinghy out of the water on to the concrete ramp, up the deck into the clubhouse and lift it end-on into the dinghy rack is beyond comprehension!

Back home with a length of line hanging from his finger and an embedded hook at the end of the line he was taken to the GP who didn’t want to touch it as the finger’s nerve was comprised. GP wrote a referral to RNS where he spent the day, X-rays then a number of local injections prior to surgical removal of the hook. He has a return visit to RNS next week.

I would like to suggest that GFS members look carefully as errant casts from fisher-persons on Bay Street Wharf often land and snag on our ramp and pontoon.

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