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The series reached a final conclusion with wind and no call to abandon the race.
In what was the fourth race of the series (a bit poor as there were seven expected), GFS results were promising with Passion X 2nd in Division 1 (Gold), Hasta La Vista 2nd in Division 2 (Blue), Allons-Y 1st in Division 3 (Black) and Mistress 2nd in Division 4 (Green). In all, about 15 GFS crews contested this race.
This race also marked the end of the series. In overall results Allons-Y was the stand-out 1st place in PHS Division 3 with Capriole a close second. Well done!
Click to view GFS Series Results (Updated).
Also Allons-Y and Wind Charmer did very well to be 1st and 3rd in ORC Division 3. We will wait to see where Passion X finishes up in ORC Division 1 when their handicap is corrected.
Next year it is GFS turn to organise the Winter series and hopefully we will be better at organising wind each fortnight.
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.
The 2017 AGM of the Greenwich Flying Squadron Incorporated was held on Tuesday, July 11. The Commodore detailed the club’s achievements over the past season and thanked the outgoing committee for their hard work. He specifically thanked other members, sponsors and organisers for their input in assisting the running of the club.
The members present elected a new committee for the coming 2017 – 2018 season.
Following the sad passing of Hans Kannegieter during the past season, Keith Tierney was appointed as the new club patron.
At last a Sunday Race with a good breeze, although cold. Perhaps we should expect this in winter. Great performance by GFS yachts Foxy in Division 2, Capriole in Division 3 and L’Atitude in Division 4 for their first placings on handicap.
| Remaining West Harbour Winter Series, 2017 Race Dates | ||
| Month |
Date |
Event |
| July | 2 | WH Winter Series Race 5 |
| 16 | WH Winter Series Race 6 | |
| 30 | WH Winter Series Race 7 | |
3127 Capriole
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.
As it turned out Division 1 and 2 were fine and sailed a good race and achieved results. However, confusion reigned supreme in Division 3 and 4. The missing mark at Manns Point resulted in the race being abandoned for those divisions, unfortunately nothing could be done.
Remaining West Harbour Winter Series,
2017 Race Dates
|
Month |
Date |
Event |
|
June |
18 | WH Winter Series Race 4 |
|
July |
2 |
WH Winter Series Race 5 |
|
16 |
WH Winter Series Race 6 |
|
| 30 |
WH Winter Series Race 7 |
GWhizz (Click to enlarge – maybe twice)
Results for Race 1 and 3 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.
Race 3 of the series is next Sunday, June 4.
Click to enlarge the image.
Unfortunately Race 2 was abandoned, maybe prematurely as a light breeze finally eventuated to give some crews spinnaker practice or a least a gentle sail on a sunny Autumn day.
Remaining West Harbour Winter Series, 2017 Race Dates
|
Month |
Date |
Event |
|
June |
4 |
WH Winter Series Race 3 |
|
18 |
WH Winter Series Race 4 | |
|
July |
2 |
WH Winter Series Race 5 |
|
16 |
WH Winter Series Race 6 | |
|
30 |
WH Winter Series Race 7 |
Results for Race 1 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 enter this event at no charge.
Divisions have been formed – Entries and Divisions. Currently more than 70 yachts have entered.
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.
A glittering (??) event at the clubhouse!
A good crowd of members attended the Annual Presentation for the 2016 – 2017 Sailing Season which was held on Saturday May 27. Skite plates were awarded to first, second and third places in both Saturday and Twilight Series. The number of shared places indicate the closeness of many point scores this season.
Well done to the winners.
I would like to thank our MC, Commodore David, for his sterling effort in getting through the presentation in a timely manner. Also thank you to the presenters Harvey Porter (masquerading as Joe Walsh) and Andrew Limmer. We all appreciated the effort Of Glenda Cameron Strange for catering and Pam Joy, Leslie Barr, Elaine Edmiston and Pam Buchanan for their assistance. Apologies if I have missed someone.
It was a fitting recognition of the time that Glenda and Andrew spend organising Twilight events that they were jointly awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Trophy for service to the club.
Also thank you to Philip Dulhunty for his kind donation of two Flook anchors as lucky draw prizes.
The annual GFS prize presentation will be held at the club on Saturday May 27.
The members fridge will be open for business from 1430 hours and the presentation will commence at 1500 hours.
Following the presentation finger food and wine will be available.
Recipients of prizes will be notified by email, but ALL members are welcome to attend and enjoy the convivial atmosphere and lively banter always associated with the ‘Deck of Knowledge’
Race 1 saw some 53 yachts contest the race in glorious autumn conditions in a gentle South Westerly breeze of around 10kts which lightened off as the race progressed.
BSC is the organising club for the 2017 Series and DSC will again run the start boat GFS will assist on the start boat and Harvey Porter represented us for Race 1.
GFS yachts were dominant in Black Division 3 with Allons-y first, Capriole second and Umzimkulu II fourth. Also in Green Division 4 The Saints were second after a well-sailed race.
Capriole and Umzimkulu II
Results for Race 1 are on the BSC website or here.
Remaining West Harbour Winter Series, 2017 Race Dates
| Month | Date | Event |
| May | 21 | WH Winter Series Race 2 |
| June | 4 | WH Winter Series Race 3 |
| 18 | WH Winter Series Race 4 | |
| July | 2 | WH Winter Series Race 5 |
| 16 | WH Winter Series Race 6 | |
| 30 | WH Winter Series Race 7 |
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 enter this event at no charge.
Divisions have now been formed – Entries and Divisions. Currently 70 yachts have entered.
All competitors will be racing under the Performance Handicapping System (PHS). However if you wish to also race under the ORC Club Measurement based handicapping system, please confirm via email (racing@balmainsailingclub.com). BSC will use your 2016 rating certificates for the 2017 West Harbour Winter Series (at least until the 2017 certificates become available).
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.
