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WHWS Combined club results.
Well done to all GFS competitors in the 2022 combined clubs West Harbour Winter Series.
Great results for GFS yachts in Division 2 with Whiskey Tango Foxtrot 1st and Jester (GBR32) 3rd.
In Division 3 a clean sweep with G-Whizz 1st, On Y Va! 2nd and Tana 3rd.
It was good to see the ‘crowds’ back at GFS for the club’s annual presentation. The chatter and camaraderie between fierce on-water competitors was excellent and all seemed to enjoy the event.
Thanks to Commodore Pam Joy for organising the engraving and supply of plates for the various winners and overseeing the presentation on the day. Thanks also to the presenters Patron Geoff Lucas, Twilight Captain Nick Murphy and club sponsor Joe Walsh. The inclusion of the Women’s Helm series was recognised and awards were presented by Holly and Pam. Well done to the trophy and plate recipients.
A great afternoon tea was provided with thanks to Glenda Cameron-Strange and Holly Charalambous.
Yesterday (April 23), at the start of Saturday Autumn Race 8 our starting area was visited by the Waratah a vessel which is part of the Sydney Heritage Fleet.
The Waratah is a coal fired tug and was built at Cockatoo Island, Sydney. She was launched on the 21st May 1902. Originally named Burunda, her primary role was to tow dredges and barges between the various ports along the NSW coast.
She is the oldest tug in working order in Australia. She carried a crew of 14, including six officers who were accommodated in separate cabins aft.
Her sea-going days ended in 1948 when, due to her age and condition, she was restricted to Newcastle Harbour until 1968 when she was acquired and restored by the Sydney Heritage Fleet.
The GFS prize presentation get together is on Saturday May 28 commencing at 3.00pm at the GFS clubhouse.
This Is Serious Mum so don’t be at Avalon or off on a jaytripper or etesian adventure that day. Speedwell down and enjoy the seascape and keep an eye out for dolphin, meerkat, irukandji and pejo lark amongst other creatures frolicking with flair in the water. There is no etchiban on anyone from attending and it will be a vesille afternoon. On y va to all the recipients of prizes, it is a bit like winning the jackpot. Kia kaha! It was certainly a challenge worthy of a conquista to reach utopia in the pointscore.
It is expected that all amateau sailors will arrive at the club hasta la vista and the aim is to paca the clubhouse jester for the afternoon and I’m sure we will be able to force four more in. Entertainment will comprise hula dancing, a wind charmer, a joka and another jester and banjo player, which will get the adrenaline pumping and leave us all with a feeling of serendipity. Later in the evening there may be even an aurora and a visit from the highland ghost which will be a good tonic for Bob if he shows up which will be worth a tana to watch.
Beware of the dog at the door, pea jay in the right place, avoid any shemozzle and enjoy the afternoon which will be world’s apart. The barubi will be open for a range of beverages (including aetos, capriole and ausreo). You will need to standown when served.
G whizz it will be madder n badder and a great chance to leave the passion X of mistress, Annabella, for the afternoon and have a joli time.
It would be great to have a good roll-up of all members at the club (not just prize recipients).
Please be aware that there is more preliminary surveying being done in the area between Longnose Point and the Coal Loader. This part of the Western Harbour Tunnel project
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The aim of the project is to create a western bypass of the Sydney CBD and take pressure off the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Harbour Tunnel, Anzac Bridge and Western Distributor corridors to improve transport capacity in and around Sydney Harbour. For more information go to https://caportal.com.au/rms/wht
Whilst in operation, please remain clear of the platform and yellow buoys. If racing, the structure and buoys present a continuing obstruction.
Winners of GFS Australia Day 2022 races have been invited to attend the regatta prize giving at Sydney Town Hall on Tuesday April 12. Winners were TISM (Richie Lees and Michael Coleman), Speedwell (David Quail), Mistress (Ray Hand), Adrenaline (Rolf Lunsmann), Paca (Greg Jaques and Andrew Wise), Vesile (Patrick Medley and Graeme Kennedy), Minnow (Richard Grundy, Much Ado V (Mitch White) and Tennacious (Andreas Laubi).
Hopefully a strong contingent will attend to represent GFS.
Best wishes to the GFS yachts competing in the Sail Port Stephens Regatta 2022, April 4 to 10. GFS yachts which have entered are Aetos, Hasta La Vista, Koko, Passion X, Salty Sea Dog II, Tana, Red William, Silver Spray and Sweeny Todd.
Preparation and Racing on Monday – Tana and Hasta La Vista
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Division 4 after 3 Races
Passion X relaxing between races’
Passion X Racing
Yacht racing in West Sydney Harbour and Parramatta River has additional safety considerations for all skippers involved due to restrictions to vessel movements due to the geography of the area. These waterways are enclosed and restricted by depth. We share these waters with boats from up to five other sailing clubs over a range of performance and speed capabilities.
A recent close contact incident with GFS boats during Saturday racing has been brought to our attention by a member of Parramatta River Sailing Club. While not attributing blame to any party involved as no protest was lodged, the Club takes this opportunity to remind all skippers that Racing Rules of Sailing apply to any vessel racing in any Sailing Australia endorsed event and of course Col Regs apply to all other vessels in a vicinity of possible contact.
As different club courses on any event day will inevitably cross, often in opposite directions, Skippers and their crew must remain aware at all times of vessel movements in their vicinity and be prepared as a matter of courtesy to make their planned course or course adjustments obvious to other close vessels when a likely close contact may occur. A hail or hand signal, and consistent straight steering maybe all that is required and is a means to say g’day to our fellow yachties on the way past.
Don’t forget Col Reg #1, a vessel must at all times maintain an adequate look out and take all steps necessary to avoid contact with other vessels.
There is provision for inter club protests to occur if deemed necessary by lodging a protest in accordance with RRS and your club Sailing Instructions.
David Leslie
GFS Safety Officer
GFS Burgees are back in stock and can be purchased for $40. Please email the Commodore at gfscommodore@gmail.com for payment and collection details.
It is encouraging to see that most skippers are entering their crew lists via Top Yacht. Accurate lists are for the benefit for all persons on board. However, please be aware that crew lists for the previous week are deleted on Monday at 12 midnight. If you enter a crew list before then for the following race (Twilight or Saturday) your list will be deleted. Therefore, please enter crew lists for the following week on Tuesday or after.
Please remember all crew require an Australian Sailing number which should be recorded on your crew list. SailPass allows a guest to receive a number valid for three races. Use the QR code in the right hand margin to sign up.
Medallions for first, second and third places are awarded for our designated Australia Day Races.
First place medals are awarded at a presentation at Sydney Town Hall and the winners will receive an invitation from the Lord Mayor.
Second and third place medals are given out at the club and many have been collected. There are still medals there for Pea Jay, Meerkat, Ausreo, Whiplash, Tonic and Amateau for Twilights. Paca and Adrenaline for Saturday. It would be appreciated if they could be collected.
Please note Lane Cove Sailing Club is hosting a round of the NSW Sabot State Titles. There are bound to be a number of competitors around when we leave and return from ‘down harbour’.
Lane Cove 12ft SSC – Saturday February 12
Round 1 of the 2021-2022 NSW Sabot State Championships
Start 1300hrs – 3 back-to-back races.
27 boats registered
Race dates for the Joe Walsh Down Harbour Series.
