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We had light breeze for Autumn Race 2, East-South-East at around 8 knots but fading to about 4 knots. Luckily the breeze didn’t die completely and all boats made it to the finish line. We had 69 starting but 3 were awarded DNF due to non-compliance.
We still have several crew looking for yachts at the moment. Some have been taken for a casual sail and some have found regular spots, but there are still a few who need to be taken into the fold. If you have room, even for a one-off sail, please contact our Membership Secretary, Chris Gaskell, using the Contact Form or directly on 0432 018 081.
Just a reminder that we must respect the jobs of the Ferry Captains and keep well clear of the ferries. They are under obligations to keep clear of other boats. If they are approaching or leaving the Bay Street public wharf, you must not approach or leave the GFS club pontoon. If you are already berthed at the floating pontoon, you may stay there but must not depart.
We wish to thank our Course Setter, Mark Rhodes, and our Starters, James Curr and Jasmine Curr.
Keep sailing and stay safe!
Nick Murphy
The winners of the 2020 GFS ADR race were prevented from attending the Sydney Town Hall for a medal presentation due to Covid restrictions. Hopefully there will be a ceremony there for the GFS 2021 winners.
However, there are engraved medallions for the 2020 winners on the window ledge near the trophy cabinet at the club to collect (if not already).
2020 Medallions on window ledge
Twilight
Death Star White Division
Jester Gold Division
Streetfighter Green Division
Laser
Break Wind
Sabot
Wild Side (Aiden Senior)
Saturday
Irukandji Division 1
Paca Division 2
There are also 2020 medallions for
Pacific Edge 2nd Division 1
Speedwell 2nd Division 2
2021 Medallions on window ledge in envelopes
Blue Chip 2nd Division 1
Tana 3rd Division 1
Starelan 3rd Division 2
2021 2nd and 3rd place Twilight medallions will be sorted soon.
Week 2 of the Autumn Learn to Sail course saw participants having fun both in and out of their boats.
Great photos on the GFS Facebook page.
Australian Sailing has announced that ‘Amendment 9’, Keel and Rudder Inspections will come into effect with the new version of the Special Regulations on 1 July 2021.
This amendment brings Australian Sailing into line with World Sailing and their amendment to the Offshore Special Regulations to include keel and rudder inspection for Categories 1 -3.
A Safety Information Notice giving further explanation via a collection of ‘frequently asked questions’ for Amendment 9 can be found here.
The Model Keel and Rudder Inspection form can be found here https://www.sailingresources.org.au/safety/equipment-auditing/&quicklink=true/
This week marks the return to the Twilight Season and Saturday Series events.
Please ensure that you log your crew list to the appropriate series NOT the Summer Series.
Also, if you intend to sail please check that you are listed as a starter.
Go to – SAILING – Yacht Division Results – 2020 – 2021 – Results – Twilight Season 20-21 or Saturday Series 2020 – 2021 – Entrants (for last listed race)
Following on from the success of the Spring Learn to Sail course the Autumn course commenced in overcast conditions on Sunday January 31.
The weather did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the participants.
Sadly, the last race of the Saturday Summer Series was abandoned. This was also the GFS nominated Australia Day Regatta race.
The GFS ADR race will now be run in conjunction with Race 1 of the Saturday Autumn Series next Saturday – February 6.
Twilight Captain – Nick Murphy
The Race: We had another strong breeze for Summer Race 7, this time a steady Southerly at around 10 to 15 knots. The rain discouraged a few crew, but we still had 44 boats starting and all finished. After a bit of prompting from our Handicap Officer, Bram, all submitted their POB lists.
Please remember:
- POB lists are to be submitted before the race. If special circumstances mean that you are unable to do this, then you can enter the crew up to 24 hours after the race. Results published will be provisional up until this time.
- Crew lists are refreshed each Monday so you need to enter your crew after Monday 12.00am for the next race.
New crew: We have several crew looking for yachts at the moment. If you have room, please consider taking a new person out for a sail. Please contact our Membership Secretary, Chris Gaskell, using the Contact Form or directly on 0432 018 081.
Autumn Series: Next week’s race 3 Feb is the 1st Race of the Autumn series, so once again our weekly results will be contributing to the overall season pointscore.
Thanks: We wish to thank our Course Setter, Mark Rhodes, and our Starters, Hugh Vaughan and James Curr.
Keep sailing and stay safe!
Social Secretary
Our Social Secretary Glenda has returned from her break and will be getting us back into the swing of things soon.
Covid restrictions will be partly eased at the end of this week. We may be able to re-start the Twilight Dinners in the near future, so keep watching this space!
We would like to thank all our sponsors, Yachtworks, Sydney 4×4, Back Vintage, Helly Hansen, Joe Walsh Rigging, Doyle-MacDiarmid Sails, Robert Oatley Wines and Zjoosh. Please support them and mention GFS when you make a purchase.
Twilight Captain – Nick Murphy
The Race: We had a strong breeze for Summer Race 5, a North Easterly at around 13 knots. It was very gusty and we had quite a few boats rounding up at times, but no protests.
We had a 58 boats starting and all finished.
New crew: We have 3 crew looking for yachts at the moment. If you have room, please consider taking a new person out for a sail. This could be just a once-off sail or a more regular arrangement. If you have room for a newcomer, please contact our Membership Secretary, Chris Gaskell, using the Contact Form or directly on 0432 018 081.
Australia Day Race: Don’t forget that Wed Jan 27 is the Twilight Race that is eligible for Australia Day Medals
Thanks: We wish to thank our Course Setter, Mark Rhodes, and our Starters, James Curr and Jasmine Curr.
Social Secretary
Our hard-working Social Secretary Glenda is still enjoying her well-earned break.
The recent outbreaks of COVID are coming under control so we may be able to re-start the Twilight Dinners in the near future. Watch this space!
We would like to thank all our sponsors, Yachtworks, Sydney 4×4, Back Vintage, Helly Hansen, Joe Walsh Rigging, Doyle-MacDiarmid Sails, Robert Oatley Wines and Zjoosh. Please support them and mention GFS when you make a purchase.
Keep sailing and stay safe!
Nick Murphy
Members will be well aware of the importance of contact tracing by NSW authorities to limit the spread of Covid-19.
To facilitate this, NSW Health has mandated registration of members visitors by the use of the Service NSW app. Everyone visiting the Club, no matter how short your visit, even if just to be picked up to go sailing, must register both for inside the club and on the deck.
All members should download the Service NSW app. Get the Service NSW app. To use the App simply open your camera, hold it over the icon on the desk inside the door and follow the instructions on your screen.
If you do not have a suitable phone with you, clubs are still required to maintain an electronic record so that rapid tracing can take place if required. To facilitate this please do one of the following:
- Ask someone else at the Club to check you in on their phone. This is the best alternative.
- Send an email as soon as possible to gfsvicecommodore@gmail.com with details of your time of arrival and departure from the club.
- Send a text as soon as possible to the Vice Commodore on 0401691532 with your name and details of your time of arrival and departure from the club.
- Call the Vice Commodore as soon as possible on 0401691532 and, if necessary, leave a voice message with your name and details of your time of arrival and departure from the club.
The Race: We had a good steady breeze for Summer Race 4, a South Easterly at around 13 knots. Luckily the rain stopped just as the race started.
We had a reduced fleet of 44 boats starting. Many members are away at this time of year.
COVID: GFS is registered with Services NSW as a COVID Safe Business. Businesses are now required to use the NSW Government QR code system to keep a record of who has visited their premises. Please remember:
- Everyone entering the premises, including the pontoon, must sign in using the app;
- If you do not have the app on your phone it can be downloaded from either the Apple or Android App Stores;
- If you do not have a phone then you are required to be accompanied by a person with the app on their phone who can sign in on your behalf;
- It is important to bring your phone and advise your crew to bring their phones. Please try to reduce the number of requests to Committee Members or Starters to sign in visitors without phones.
New crew: From time to time we are contacted by people looking to crew on boats in the Twilight Races. Some are very experienced, some are novices. If you have room, please consider taking a new person out for a sail. You never know who you might meet. We recently took a new sailor out on French Connection. When a crew member had a bad eye irritation we were surprised to find our new sailor was an eye specialist! If you have room for a newcomer, please contact our Membership Secretary, Chris Gaskell, using the Contact Form or directly on 0432 018 081.
Thanks: We wish to thank our Course Setter, Mark Rhodes, and our Starters, James Curr and Xavier Perkes.
Keep sailing and stay safe!
Nick Murphy
Social Secretary
Our hard-working Social Secretary Glenda is taking a well-earned break.
Twilight Dinners have been suspended due to current pandemic conditions. We hope that the recent outbreaks of COVID are contained soon.
We would like to thank all our sponsors, Yachtworks, Sydney 4×4, Back Vintage, Helly Hansen, Joe Walsh Rigging, Doyle-MacDiarmid Sails, Robert Oatley Wines and Zjoosh. Please support them and mention GFS when you make a purchase.
The GFS Summer Race 4 is on tomorrow (Jan 6). However, there will be no gathering in the club after the race.
The Service NSW QR code must be used when entering the club.
GFS is now registered with Services NSW as a COVID Safe Business. We will use the Services NSW QR code. The existing OR code at the club will be replaced on Friday with the new code.
The new QR code requires all members or anyone accessing the Club to have the “Service NSW App” on their phone. The App can be downloaded from either the Apple or Android App Stores.
Scanning the QR Code with your phone brings up the the Services NSW App which then records your entry time and then you press the “Check Out” button on the App as you leave the Club which then records your departure time.
From January 1, 2021 all persons entering the Club will be required to have the “Services NSW App” on their phone and to scan the QR Code on entry and to press the “Check Out” button when leaving.
Twilight Summer Race 3 will go ahead as normal this evening. There will be no gathering at the club before or after the race.
It is imperative that you submit a crew list.
If you are intending to race tonight please review the list of locations that are considered hot spots. If you have been to one of these during the specified times, you are required to self-isolate and MUST NOT attend the Club at all.
Safe sailing and have a Happy Xmas
With restrictions that have recently been issued, dinner at GFS on 23 December has been cancelled.
We are confirming details and hope to restart dinners in the new year.
Stay safe, and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Holly Charalambous
