GFS again participated as a ‘satellite event in the Australia Day Regatta. 2017 marked the 181st regatta which is regarded as the oldest continuing sailing regatta in the world.
The results for our races in order first, second, third were –
Twilight Blue Gwhizz, Worlds Apart, French Connection
Twilight Green Tana, Out of Africa, Streetfighter
Twilight White Paca, Joka, Amateau
Twilight Orange Barubi, L’Atitude, The Saints
Twilight Gold Disko Trooper, Gem, Mind/Matter
Twilight Black Soundtrack, Sweet Chariot, Dump Truck
Saturday Blue Forte Forever, Foxy, Eggshells
Saturday Green Tana, Gwhizz, Flair
Sunday Laser Max Effort, Break Wind, Orinoco
Sabot 1 Up Wildside
Sabot 2 Up Sabotage
Medallions were awarded after the various races for second and third places. If you didn’t collect yours they will be in the GFS Sailing Office.
The winners will be invited to attend a presentation at Sydney Town Hall on March 28 to collect their medallions.
The wind prediction from earlier in the week did not eventuate, although the wind was from the south and south east. Course 19 provided a challenge especially with spinnaker runs and the bit back to the finish through Humbug. The 17 Endeavour yachts sailing their State and National titles also made for a bit of a challenge as one of their race finishes coincided with our start with both lines in close proximity.
Blue Division 1 was again a good result for the Etchells with Forte Forever ahead of Eggshells at the finish. Blue Chip were third and the results remained in the same order through the computer.
In Green Division 2 the race proved to be a bit of a precession with Gwhizz leading by a good margin from PT Velocity and Flair (pictured). Paca made a strong run towards the finish. Handicap results to Flair from Gwhizz and Paca.
Next race is the GFS Saturday Australia Day Race – winners of both divisions will be expected to attend the presentation function at Sydney Town Hall. Harvey Porter will award the medallions to the second and third place getters at the club after the race.
The 2017 Australian Youth Championships followed on at the Adelaide Sailing Club from the recent open National Championship with the first day of racing January 11 and the final day of racing to close the competition on Saturday 14 January.
Henry Larkings and Miles Davey, representing Woollahra SC, were again successful (see previous) taking out the 29er class by 3 points from current World Champion Tom Crockett from Belmont SC. 44 boats contested the 29er class.
Of the five youth classes there was representation from all Australian states and six additional nations including Germany, France, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand and Ireland.
Additionally, the Australian Youth Championships is the final selection regatta for those youth sailors vying for a spot on the 2017/18 Australian Sailing Youth Team.
Results for the 29er Class are here.
The weather conditions again proved tricky to determine and fortunately the breeze came in just in time for the start. The decision to sail shorter courses was made for a number of reasons specifically the uncertainty of the breeze along with the hot humid conditions with temperatures around 30o and the huge run out tide (a change of 1.7 metres). It was too hot to stand on the clubhouse deck without shoes.
Blue Division had a quick race around the Fort and the other islands with Flashback winning both on the water and handicap from Blue Chip (pictured) both on scratch and handicap and Peach Teats 3rd on scratch and Tana on handicap.
In White Division the Etchells were the dominant force with Forte Forever, Foxy and Eggshells on scratch and handicap after a close race.
In Red Division Paca and Joka gained the ascendency and along with Wind Charmer were within one minute at the end. Joka were first back but were overtaken by Paca in the computer.
Good luck to Mike Wise and crew in Barubi and Richard Wood and crew in Evo for the Endeavour Yacht titles at Drummoyne Sailing Club next Saturday and Sunday.
The RANSA (Royal Australian Naval Sailing Association) Regatta will be held on Sunday 19th February. There is provision for up to six spinnaker divisions, a Gaffer division and two mixed non-spinnaker divisions. Starting time will be from 1100 onwards with each boat allocated a separate handicap starting time.
Sailing Instructions will be available at the RANSA Clubhouse and on the RANSA website at least one week prior to the Regatta.
The Notice of Race is NOR here and Entry Form Entry Form here. These are also available from the RANSA website: www.ransa.yachting.org.au.
All participants are invited back to the Clubhouse for presentation of divisional prizes, awarding of the Admiral’s Trophy to the best-sailed club on the harbour and post racing refreshments with live entertainment.
For a number of years, Blues Point Yacht Club has added to its racing program by undertaking an annual cruise from Sydney Harbour to Pittwater. This year is no exception and the Commodore of BPYC, Duncan Veal (who is also a member of GFS), has invited GFS member yachts to join the cruise.
Yachts will begin just inside South Head at 1130hrs on Saturday 4 February and sail to Royal Motor Yacht Club, Pittwater. Berths will be arranged there for yachts staying overnight. This gives access to the Club’s facilities, including hot showers. Informal, pre-dinner drinks are usually held amongst crews on various yachts, followed by dinner at the RMYC Bistro, sometimes followed by informal post-dinner drinks on some yachts (someone once said BPYC is a drinking Club with a sailing problem!). In other words, the emphasis is on casual fun with friends brought together through a love of sailing.
It’s expected that yachts will make their own way back to Sydney on 5 February.
There’s no yacht entry charge for GFS boats for this event. Berthing cost at RMYC Pittwater, arranged by BPYC, is $55/night. All other expenses, including all drinks and food while at RMYC, are at own cost.
For more information, call or SMS Duncan on 0417 942 290, or email duncveal@gmail.com. If you’re interested, please respond ASAP so sufficient yacht berths can be arranged. To learn more about BPYC, see www.bpyc.com.au.
If you are interested in racing in the 2017 Combined Clubs (Balmain, Drummoyne and GFS) Summer Series the notice of race is here and the link to enter is here.
The Series runs every second Sunday and commences this Sunday January 15. There is no cost for paid up racing members of the 4 clubs.
Race dates, Sailing Instructions and other information can be found here.
I apologise for the late notice, but if you intend to sail please enter using the link above as soon as possible.
Henry Larkings and Miles Davey have become National Champions in the 29er Class after a count-back beating current World Champion Tom Crockett and World Women’s Champion Annabelle Davies who were 2nd and 3rd respectively.
The 2017 29er Championships were held at the Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron between January 2 and 8. Henry and Miles sailing DAMO finished the 16 race series on equal points with Crockett and 13 ahead of third place.
Miles first learned to sail 7 years ago as a GFS Sabot junior as did his sister Andrea and older brother James. Miles father Brian is a regular Twilight competitor with his Beneteau First 27.7, Amateau.
Henry was a previous State Sabot Champion representing Lane Cove Sailing Club.
Henry and Miles with their 29er National Champions trophy.
The State and National titles for Endeavour 24, 26 and 27 yachts will be held on Saturday January 21 and Sunday 22 January.
The titles will be hosted by Drummoyne Sailing club on courses which will possibly impact on our courses for Saturday Summer Race 5.
As a welcome to 2017, the strong Saturday winds continued.
The course (60) chosen to avoid contact with the tanker started from the deck and proved successful as only the tail-enders had to avoid the tanker as it departed from Gore Cove.
Welcome to Eisen Laing and crew in Clovelly Pacific and apologies that the results placed them in the incorrect division. These will be adjusted.
In Blue Division 1 the Etchells Eggshells (pictured) and Foxy had a great day on the water fending off Irukandji despite their best efforts with a huge overpowered asymmetrical kite. At the finish the three were separated by less than a minute. Spinnaker runs were a challenge with both Irukandji and Blue Chip spearing off in a variety of directions. Generally the fleet were close on the water all finishing within about 7 minutes. Jester sailed well in the strong wind to be third on handicap behind Eggshells and Foxy.
In Green Division 2 a depleted fleet kept relatively close all afternoon. Clovelly Pacific led for most of the race grabbing the lead soon after the start. Paca and StarElan battled closely on the water and Dreamer wound up to return back behind Clovelly Pacific. StarElan broke away from Paca to finish third. Provisional handicap results to Flair from StarElan and Paca.
Passion sailors Kevin Phillips and David Edmiston finished 1st (Kevin) and 3rd (David) in the Laser National Championships in the Great Grand Master Division.
The nationals were sailed at Adelaide Sailing Club between December 31 and January 4. The Laser Nationals Event Website is here.
Wishing all GFS members and their families a very Happy New Year for 2017.
Sydney Hobart results for some of the GFS or GFS related participants in 4 yachts are here.
Jackpot and Adrian are heading south on Boxing Day in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race!
It is the first time they have participated in the big race and it is an exciting and terrifying prospect.
They are lucky to have onboard some very experienced sailors some of whom sailed on Wild Rose ( the original Wild Oats ) with the late and esteemed Roger Hickman.
Wild Rose raised funds during the RSHYR over the last 5 years and we would like to continue the tradition. The funds raised will go to the The Kids Cancer Project!
The link to the fund-raising page is at the end of this email and you can leave Adrian a message of support if you decide to contribute.
Thank you in advance and you can track his progress by going into the Rolex Sydney Hobart Tracker on the official website.
Warm regards from a nervous wife and supporter. Maree
Go to https://
Ausreo (Caliban II) is also a competitor in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race this year.
GFS member Ian Creak in Calliban II has contested 2 previous races (2013 and 2014).
The crew includes Jim Lelliott as sailing master, Brett Haywood and ‘Balmain local’ David Stenhouse.
We wish them fair winds and good luck in the race.
Previous GFS Commodore Martin Sheppard who races with his brother Derek on their Beneteau 45, in a pre race interview stated that their yacht ‘Black Sheep, hasn’t thrown in the towel yet. There are lots of variables. You have to keep the crew together, the boat together. We’re still a long way out. I still feel like a kid before Christmas.’
Derek Sheppard, Martin Sheppard, Matt Allen (President Sailing Australia) and Paul Clitheroe iterviewed at the CYCA
Follow the race here
I believe Ralph Pickering and his son Angus are also sailing on Ariel a Beneteau First 40.
The planned GFS cruise to Echo Point in Middle Harbour has been moved from the Christmas New Year break until Easter Saturday and Sunday of the New Year.
The restaurant at the marina is closed between Christmas and New Year but will be open at Easter.
More details will be posted nearer to the event.
