Greenwich Flying Squadron

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

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.

 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.

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