Results for Race 1 are on the Sailing – Yacht Division Results page on the GFS website. Or here – Women’s Helm Race 1
Looks like it was very tough conditions in which to sail. Great Images and video on the GFS Facebook page.
Will be held on 15 and 22 January.
To enter, please advise Holly Charalambous the name of the helmswoman and boat, and which Division you’re in. Holly’s contact details: 0417 192 004 or hcharalambous15@gmail.com
The Women’s Helm Series consists of two races which take place as part of the usual Twilight series; the only requirement is that a woman is on the helm. The point score is run simultaneously to the Twilight point score.
Please support this event and help increase women’s participation at GFS.
If you’re looking for a woman to helm your boat, or if you’re a helmswoman looking for a boat, please contact Chris Gaskell on 0432 018 081.
Your 2024 GFS Centenary book, a 180-page hard cover book, packed with stories, memories and photos, is now available.
Fifty men and women share membership stories and memories, including how much GFS means to them, their long-distance sailing adventures and a brief history of the different GFS eras. Life Member John Notley kindly wrote the Foreword.
Flip through hundreds of photos that capture our 100-year history – twilight and weekend sails, balmy evenings on the deck, rainy days, Humbug tussles and the very special camaraderie GFS offers over a drink or two post-race. “It doesn’t get any better than this” was a constant refrain in the book – thank you Michael Armati!
See if you can spot yourself … or your boat! Compiled by Ros Bradley, together with John Veale and Steve Bradley and the help of many others.
Limited Edition! Sample copies available to view at the club. $50 a copy; cash/credit card. Available Wed twilights or email Ros Bradley: rsbrad99@gmail.com
Please be aware that a new course has been added for Down Harbour racing – Course 88.
Course 88 – Park Course
Start Clubhouse
BHSW mark (P) ***
Nielsen Park [YA Mark]
Finish
The course sheet has been updated on the Sailing – Racing Information page of this website or can be viewed here – GFS-Saturday-Courses-2024-2025 Additional
The GFS Child Protection and Intervention policy has been updated and can be found on the Club Information – Club Documents page of this website or here – Greenwich Flying Squadron Child Protection and Intervention Policy
Due to the expected wind and weather conditions Twilight Summer Race 4 has been abandoned. There is no BBQ either.
If you are interested, the link below details the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust’s master plan for Cockatoo Island. As well as the trust’s vision for the future, the document details the history (human and natural), changes to the island over time and planned restoration of significant infrastructure.
View the master plan here – cockatoo-island-wareamah-master-plan
A Women’s Sailing Session will be held at the Club on Monday 16 December from 5pm to 7.30pm.
The aim is to encourage women’s participation by creating a safe, friendly environment for sailors of varying skill levels and experience.
- Women – learn skills, build confidence, meet other Club members.
- Skippers – consider offering your boat and sharing your knowledge and experience.
Sailing on different boats is a wonderful way to learn. So please let us know if you’d like to come, and state if you’re interested in crewing, helming, or both.
Prior to the session, women will be assigned to boats. We’ll meet at the Club, head off for a sail around 5.30pm for an hour or so, and come back for a chat about how it went. Women sailors are invited to bring drinks and nibbles to share with Host Boats back at the Club.
If you would like to be a host boat, please advise asap, no later than Monday 9 December.
If you would like to be a participant, please advise asap, no later than Wednesday 11 December.
Numbers will be limited to places available. And if the weather’s bad, we’ll postpone.
Questions? Please get in touch. Leigh McLaughlin Twilight Captain twilightcaptain@gfs.org.au
A total of 35 children (from difficult backgrounds) and accompanying Youth Workers will have the opportunity to sail on a yacht and receive a meal, soft drink, ice cream and a ‘Goodie’ bag to take away with them.
Just a reminder to all skippers that GFS is hosting Youth off the Streets kids and their Youth workers for our twilight sail and BBQ on the first Wednesday in December. In the unlikely case of a cancellation due to too much wind, we will drop back to Wednesday 11 December. The kids and their workers should be here from 4.45/5.00 pm so that Yachts picking up crew and/or kids/workers can do so well ahead of their starts.
As with previous occasions, we will be arranging for a bulk entry of the visitors’ names and details into the RevSport system, so they will all have AS#s and have access to the Australian Sailing personal safety insurance arrangements. The occasion is treated as a Discover Sailing Day Event. Bottom line is that skippers do not have to make any separate arrangements to host the kids/workers. However please do give them a safety briefing and for any that need or want it, access to a Personal Flotation Device.
We trust you will enjoy the night on what has become a highlight of our sailing year. Many thanks to all those who have made a donation to help support this event.
GFS Committee
This is a reminder that you must enter the Twilight and Saturday Summer Series separately. The first race of the Saturday Summer Series is next Saturday, November 30. The list of starters is on the Sailing – Yacht Division Results page or here.
To maintain consistency – Twilight orange division’s start flag is orange and Saturday Down Harbour Division 3 is now ‘Orange Division’ and their start flag will be orange.
We were saddened to learn of the passing of Graeme Davey at 8.15pm on 23 October.
Graeme was an enthusiastic and capable member of GFS for many years, initially as crew and for the last decade as Joint Skipper with Ann on their yacht G-Whizz.
Graeme was always ready to lend a hand to anyone needing help and a keen participant in all GFS activities. He was a great friend to many.
A service to commemorate Graeme’s life will be held at 12.00 noon Friday, 1 November at Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens, South Chapel. 199 Delhi Rd North Ryde 2113
The link below will allow those that cannot attend to live stream the service
Invitation to view service of Graeme Davey
A celebration will be held at the GFS Clubhouse from 5.30pm – 7.30pm on Sunday 3 November to allow members to meet and remember Graeme.
Canapes will be supplied by Bern and drinks will be provided by the club.
Can you please RSVP by Wednesday 30 October to gfscommodore@gmail.com if you wish to attend so we can plan the catering.
John Veale, Commodore
An email was sent to members noting significant rules discussed at The GFS rules night held on October 15. The session was presented by national sailing judge Erica Kirby, who is also a member of Balmain Sailing Club.
The aim was to clarify the rules arising from perennial questions such as Mark Room, Continuous Obstructions and Start/Finish line.
A lot of time was spent on the scenario in which a row of slower boats is ahead of faster boats in a narrow stretch of water such as Humbug.
A detailed summary of the points discussed can be viewed here – Highlights from the Rules Night
Purpose
To increase the safety and enjoyment of twilight racing by fostering greater understanding of and adherence to the racing rules
Process
- A table will be set up on the deck for the Rules Corner from 8pm to 9pm Wednesday evenings
- Two or three experienced skippers (the Panel) will be seated as rules advisers
- A whiteboard, markers and model boats will be on the table to recreate situations
- Skippers (with crew) may approach the table for a discussion (first come first served) with or without the other skippers involved
- The Panel will listen to the skipper’s story and recreate the situation on the whiteboard
- The Panel will discuss the rules that are relevant to the situation
- The Panel will offer an opinion on how the rules apply and explain their thinking
- The focus will be on shared learning and encouraging correct behaviour, not on criticising incorrect actions
- The aim is to create a ‘safe space’ for exploring an issue
- The Panel will be able to explain the steps involved in Protests
- The Rules Corner is not a Protest Committee and will not make rulings or impose penalties.
Thanks – your feedback is always welcome.
Leigh McLaughlin, Twilight Captain, twighlightcaptain@gfs.org.au
- Courses will be decided at around 4.30pm based on on current and forecast conditions.
- Courses will be notified by:
- The board at the GFS Clubhouse
- The board on the port side of the GFS start boat
- By text message to GFS boat owners after 4.30. If the owner is not on board the owner/crew will need to make other arrangements
- The course for each division will be announced soon after its start sequence begins
- Etchells, Gold and Black Divisions sail the Black Course
- Red Division sails the Red Course
- White, Green and Blue Divisions sail the White Course
- Given the number of divisions and courses, with only one start/finishing boat (and no finishing boat when races start at the clubhouse) it is not possible to shorten courses.
- Please do not call the starters on Channel 72 during the start sequence. They are busy making sure the start sequence is underway. Any questions please call on Channel 71 and they will call you back when they have a chance to do so.
- Retiring boats must call on Channel 72 to let the starters know.
GFS Twilight Race Committee
Leigh McLauchlan
John Veale
Steve Bradley
