We had a light South Easterly breeze for Autumn Race 5. We had a big fleet of 71 boats starting, with all except one finishing.
We hope skippers have all noted the changes to the procedure for POB lists. We are no longer able to send reminder emails.
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.
We wish to thank our Course Setters, Geoff Lucas and David Edmiston, and our Starters, Hugh Vaughan and James Curr.
Keep sailing and stay safe!
Nick Murphy
We would like to thank 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.
NEW YORK (Feb. 9, 2021)—An extraordinary group of sailors have been named winners of the Cruising Club of America most prestigious annual awards: Christian Charalambous, of Australia, receives the Rod Stephens Seamanship Trophy; Calypso Romero and Adrien Koller, of Ushuaia, Argentina, the Young Voyager Award; and UK sailor Stephen Brown, of Carleon, South Wales, the Far Horizons Award. In January, the recipient of the CCA’s iconic Blue Water Medal was announced as Randall Reeves, of Oakland, California.
Christian Charalambous, of Sydney, Australia earns the Rod Stephens Seamanship Trophy for heroic actions after the yacht Showtime inverted upon losing its keel on a very rough night in the Tasman Sea. Aboard the boat as one of its delivery crew members, Charalambous dove under the boat despite the dangerous wave conditions and used a knife to free the life raft, thereby saving the entire crew.
Congratulations Christian
The Junior Sailing class of 2021 continue to make good progress. Those undertaking the second course module are now competent skippers and are providing good role models for the newer students. They are all enjoying sailing.
Despite the easing of Covid restrictions it is still compulsory to submit crew lists to reflect the persons on board (POB) your boat prior to each GFS event in which you intend to compete. Include the skipper in your list.
POB lists are required to be submitted before each race. If you are not able to submit your POB list before the race due to special circumstances you may submit your POB list up to 24 hours after the race finishes.
No further reminder emails will be sent.
Non-compliant boats will be awarded DNF.
All skippers must submit their POB lists, make sure the list is added to the correct series and check that a confirmation email is received from TopYacht.
For many weeks now emails have been sent to skippers with no or non-compliant POB lists. The number of emails and the resultant exchanges take many hours on the part of our volunteers. We are unable to continue sending reminder emails.
We hope our sailing community may understand and respect this.
A reminder of how to set up and update a crew list is in the following post.
Each time you race you must enter a crew list. No crew list will result in your yacht being classed as DNF.
You can enter the crew list up to 24 hours after the race. Results published will be provisional up until this time.
Crew lists are deleted each Monday at midnight by TopYacht.
Initial set up is via the TopYacht entry link – https://www.topyacht.com.au/db/kb/1272
Once you have added a crew list you can update your crew from the following link –
Detailed instructions are here –
There are instructions included to allow you to set up a mobile device to update crew. It is then very simple to just tick those on board from a list.
The enthusiastic band of junior sailors are progressing well, even learning the vagaries of Humbug.
A medium Easterly breeze turned up for Autumn Race 3. A few spots of rain did not deter the fleet. We had a strong showing of 63 boats. All finished except one due to non-compliance.
For many weeks now we have been sending emails to skippers with non-compliant POB lists. The number of emails and the resultant exchanges takes many hours on the part of our volunteers. We will need to cease doing this soon. Would all skippers please submit their POB lists, make sure it is the correct series (Twilight Series) and make sure you receive a confirmation email from TopYacht.
We wish to thank our Course Setter, Mark Rhodes, and our Starters, Hugh Vaughan and James Curr.
Keep sailing and stay safe!
Nick Murphy, Twilight Captain
Introducing our new sponsors, who kindly came on board during 2020. With the COVID restrictions on gatherings at the club, we feel that we have not been able to give them the exposure they deserve and we would like to thank them for their sponsorship.
Our new sponsors are;
ADDRESS:
242 PENNANT HILLS ROAD
THORNLEIGH NSW 2120
Sydney 4×4 and Outdoor are a team of industry-leading experts based right here in metro Sydney. They have been producing top of the line vehicle builds for well over 35 years, with thousands of retail, trade and fleet vehicles passing through their workshop every year. Specializing in super high-quality Ironman 4×4 “fit for purpose” builds, tailored to suit your needs. They have a massive range of products, brands, and services that will have your next big adventure covered, plus a range of hand- held radios for your boating needs. Mention GFS for a discount on work done or when purchasing a hand-held radio.
yachtworxaustralia@gmail.com
(02) 9457 6547
Yachtworx Australia have an extensive knowledge of everything boating and offer a complete range of services to anything that floats. They have two premium locations in Sydney; White Bay 6 at Balmain and Empire Marina at Bobbin Head.
From all shipwright services, slipping, antifouling, installations and engine servicing and repairs, they have you covered. Great time over winter to check in and get your boat in tip top condition for the next season.
Yachtworx are offering 10% discount to all GFS members.
PLEASE SUPPORT ALL OUR SPONSORS and we thank them for their continued support, especially over this difficult COVID time.
Back Vintage, Helly Hansen, Joe Walsh Rigging, Doyle – MacDiarmid Sails, Robert Oatley Wines, Zjoosh, Sydney 4WD and Yachtworx Australia
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.
