Greenwich Flying Squadron

The Canon Camera club photos from Saturday Autumn Race 6 can be viewed here mostly or some even here.

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

               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

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

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.

In the last race on Sunday April 9 of the Performance Cruising Division 2 Gwhizz won the race on handicap.

It was also comforting to see that boats in other areas get to stooge around blowing bubbles and waiting for the breeze to show up (see picture Courtesy David Edmiston) just like here at Greenwich..

Both Gwhizz and Passion X finished sixth in their respective divisions in the 3 race Performance Cruising Series in this year’s regatta; a very credible result.

At last clear skies and a breeze that arrived just before the start saw the fleet of 18 yachts set off from the club to their assigned rounding marks on the other side of the Harbour Bridge. Gusts of up to 18 kts kept skippers and crews alert. At least the harbour was relatively clear.

In Blue Division 1 results are provisional as it seems Soundtrack was lost somewhere in the computer.  Irukandji dominated the race and was back ahead of Flashback and the ever improving StarElan at the finish.  Handicap results to Clovelly Pacific from Irukandji and StarElan. Series to Blue Chip then Tana and then Flashback.

In White Division 2, Pistol Dawn was similarly impressive and established a lead. With Forte Forever in close pursuit they both established a break on the others. Foxy made it back behind them at the finish. Handicap results to Forte from Foxy and then Pistol. Series results to Eggshells and Forte Forever equal first and then Chloe.

In Red Division 2 Wind Charmer dominated the race from the start and was only momentarily caught in the disturbed conditions near the bridge. Paca again sailed well as did Barubi. The spinnaker or not run/reach home (see Umzimkulu II pictured behaving like a pendulum) allowed the ‘back markers’ to catch up lost ground. At the end, Wind Charma were back ahead of Paca and Joka and handicap results went to Flair from Wind Charmer and then Barubi.  Series saw a well-deserved win to Wind Charmer with Umzimkulu II and Flair equal second.

The 10th Anniversary Sail Port Stephens race week incorporating the Commodores Cup, NSW IRC Championships, Port Stephens Trophy (PHS), Australian Sports Boat Nationals and Super 12 NSW Championships runs from 3 – 9 April. The regatta is hosted by the Corlette Point Sailing Club.

Good luck to the following GFS skippers, yachts and crew competing in this year’s regatta contesting the Commodores Cup series. In Division 1 David Edmiston and crew – 7130 Passion X, in Division 2 Michael Groves and crew – 7034 Agrovation, Mark Cole and crew – 5201 All our Girls and Graeme Davey and Crew – 3425 Gwhizz. We wish them all well.

As a prequel to the event at Port Stephens a Saturday race from Pittwater to Newcastle took place. On Sunday a race in a 20-knot south easterly breeze propelled a record fleet in record time from Newcastle to Port Stephens. 42 yachts crowded the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club start line on a grey, windy harbour and then enjoyed a 22 mile two-sail dash across Stockton Bight in steep 2 – 3 metre seas.

7130 Passion X in the crowd at the start of the Newcastle – Port Stephens Race.

Follow the series results at https://www.sailportstephens.com.au/

Congratulations to Graeme Davey and the Gwhizz crew for placing third in the Division 2 Commodores Cup Series.

In Race 1 of the Performance Crusing Series both Passion X and Gwhizz were third in their respective divisions 1 and 2. Well done. Agrovation was sixth in Division 2.

J Force and Passion X in a Commodores Cup Race

Well, enough said!  Twelve boats pranced around the start boat for an hour or so before the starters collected their stumps and headed for the hills.

About an hour later a breeze strengthened enough but it was still very unclear as to whether it would last long enough for a race and by this time we had all disappeared.

I think perhaps a good decision, well done starters, again.

Anyway, pictured is Paca from last week.

The presentation of first place Australia Day Regatta medallions took place at Sydney Town Hall on Tuesday March 28. The function was hosted by Deputy Lord Mayor Professor Kerryn Phelps AM in a convivial atmosphere.

It was pleasing to see a good contingent of GFS members on hand to collect their medallions. Both Sabot 1-up winner Alex Drew and the Sabot 2-up skipper Matt Haywood and crew Joseph Morton were in attendance. Australian Sailing President Matt Allen emphasised the importance of junior members as the grass roots and future of sailing.

Other GFS sailors in attendance were Graeme and Ann Davey, Jim Lelliott, Pam Joy, Lesley Barr, John Amos and Mike Wise (pictured) representing both Twilight and Saturday divisions.

The function highlighted the range of diverse sailing activities held to commemorate Australia Day not only in the designated harbour regatta but in wide ranging areas such as Lake Illawarra, Wangi, Botany Bay and Pittwater. Boats represented at events included ocean racing yachts, various mixed classes of yachts, trailable yachts, classic yachts, modern and historic skiffs, a huge range of other dinghy classes including Lasers and Sabots and radio controlled yachts.

The ceaseless clicks of the gathered paparazzi (the Cannon Camera Group) heralded the start of Autumn Race 6 as the fleet headed off on Course 18A. The day remained dry and the wind attempted to last, albeit for a few bits especially at the end. Thankfully the finish line was set in the mouth of Humbug rather than at the club.

Well done starters!

In Division 1 Pistol Dawn returned to battle with the Etchells and this resulted in a close on water race with Forte Forever. Foxy gained the superiority over the others and for once the Etchells group had the ascendency over Blue Chip. The published results are in need of scrutiny and hopefully the camera group can provide evidence of the actual finish order.  Anyway it looks like the placings will be shared by Forte, Foxy and Chloe.

In Division 2 the fleet remained as a bunch in the early stages of the race. We also welcomed Colin Legg and crew in the Thunderbird 26 ‘Snowgoose’ for their first GFS Saturday series race. It was great to see the use of spinnakers making for a very colourful day on the water. (But where was the camera group?) Hasta La Vista again made a break on the fleet and were pursued by Gwhizz and StarElan. This left the rest of the fleet to remain close until the vagaries of the wind stretched distances between them.  Paca and Joka (pictured) made up much ground. The near windless run to the finish tested tacking ability and patience.  By the end Gwhizz had caught Hasta with StarElan third. On handicap Joka from Umzimkulu II and Paca.

Please remember that there are parking restrictions behind the club.

The recent heavy rain and wind has reinforced this requirement!