Once again cloudy skies and strong Southerly winds made for an interesting day on the water. Course 25 resulted in a quick, perhaps too short, race. Nevertheless, no one got wet nor did any spinnakers get injured.
Solitude led the way in Blue Division and were able to make full use of their asymmetrical kite in the reaching conditions. Forte and Sweet Chariot tried valiantly to bridge the gap and made a strong charge to the finish with the three of them finishing inside a minute.
Eggshells and Blue Chip continued their on water battle finishing within 20 seconds. Speedwell were victorious on handicap from Foxy and Gwhizz.
In White Division Evo made a brilliant port tack start and continued to sail strongly for the entire race being well rewarded with the win on handicap. Paca and Flair had a close race and Umzimkulu II sailed well to bridge the gap after a mistimed start.
A very healthy fleet of 20 yachts contested the race in balmy summer conditions (at last), with the wind prediction ranging from 10 to 15kts and finally a NE breeze. The actual conditions which met the fleet differed slightly with the wind upward of 15 kts and varying from ENE to NNE depnding on where you were and when. Several spinnakers bear testament to the tricky conditions.
It was fortunate that we had a Down Harbour event as the waters around our normal Saturday courses seemed to be more crowded than usual with not only the Lane Cove and Drummoyne fleets but also from Hunters Hill who were hosting a NSW travellers’ trophy regatta over this weekend and were expecting over 100 Optimist dinghies.
In Blue Division there were 13 boats. Welcome to Paul Glynn and crew in the Davidson 34 Monkey Business who sailed as a casual entry and were very competitive. On the water result was Flashback from Solitude and Forte Forever. On Handicap Forte from Saints II and Gwhizz. The Etchells just missed a clean sweep by about 30 seconds with Eggshells fourth.
In White Division Tana made it back first followed by Umzimkulu II and then Joka. The positions were reversed on handicap with Joka first from Umzimkulu and Tana. Paca and Out of Africa were not too far behind.
In the Reds match race Flair was able to just keep ahead of Evo on the work to the Bridge. Then from the Fort to Clark Island and back to the Fort Flair managed to extend the lead. From the bridge to Greenwich Point Evo narrowed the distance and finally, for once, Flair had a better run through Humbug.
Congratulations to the following GFS members who competed in the 57th Annual Heron Nationals between January 10 and 17, 2016 at Port Lincoln Yacht Club in South Australia. Special congratulations to Jason and Michael Groves from the GFS competing yacht Aggrovation – trophies for first and sixth. Others were David McClean who is the Sabot captain and, of course, John Veale who is the GFS Treasurer and co-skipper of GWhizz.
Full results can be found at https://plyc.com.au/results/2015/herons/nats/series.htm
Summer Race 6 was the end of the Saturday Summer Series for 2015 – 2016. Luckily the predicted storm and damaging wind held off until all skippers, crews and starters were soundly ensconced in the clubhouse albeit under a dripping roof. The strength of the tempest which hit around 4:45pm was amazing.
The course which was set, Course 17, was again to minimise the impact of the small tanker returning to Gore Cove after refuelling the cruise ships in port.
The start in Division 1 was close and required a restart by some eager to get their race over before the storm. Solitude made the early break in the fluky conditions which they held for the remainder of the race. Forte Forever and Blue Chip had a close race and were not too far back.
At the finish Blue Chip, Sweet Chariot and Irukandji finished within seconds. Handicap results went to Speedwell from Blue Chip and Forte Forever.
Summer Series results to Solitude with Forte Forever and Irukandji equal second.
In Division 2 it was great to have five boats keenly contesting the race. Joka dominated from the start and Evo and Umzimkulu II traded tacks for most of the race. Flair were underpowered and Paca had an unwanted excursion on the kite run past Cockatoo Island. In the end Evo took the handicap honours from Joka and Flair.
Paca were the series winner from Flair and Then Umzimkulu II.
It was good to have two GFS yachts competing in the Australia Day Regatta on Sydney Harbour on Australia Day. Naughty Call and Flair braved the melee of vessels to sail in different divisions – Flair in spinnaker Division 3 and Naughty Call in non-spinnaker Division 2. It was an interesting day to locate the assigned marks and sail in a different area.
Flair was 4th in their division and Naughty Call 6th in theirs.
Race 5 was not only part of the GFS Summer Series but also designated as our Saturday contribution to the Sailing Events held in conjunction with Australia Day. The GFS Twilight Australia Day race is next Wednesday January 27.
Race 5 began with ominous skies and a strong breeze which reached about 25 knots with a couple of gusts of 28 kts. However, rain kept away and the wind eased (???).
Course 28 kept the fleet away from the tanker movements in Gore Cove and gave a chance for skippers and crews to show white sail reaching skills.
In Division 1 the start was won by Sydney Ferries as yachts negotiated the orange diamond as they attempted to clear the line and the ferry. The next obstacle was the totally upturned Hartley trailer sailer at Snapper Island. At the end Irukandji made it home just ahead of Sweet Chariot and then Solitude. Division 1 handicap results as published are incorrect and will be updated.
In Division2 late sail changes and exceptionally strong breeze at the start spread the fleet. Umzimkulu II and Paca continually made up ground throughout the race. Evo kept in touch and were rewarded with third on handicap, Paca finished strongly to be second just behind Flair.
Grey skies and a predicted strong wind looked like it would be a miserable afternoon on the water. However, no rain and a moderate but tricky SE – SSE breeze made for a good race.
Blue Division had the trickiest exit through Humbug and the fleet clustered at Onions Point in the disturbed air. Foxy and Solitude made the early break whilst Flashback gave the others an start on their way to their turning mark at Lady Bay. The run home had Flashback at pace to be back ahead of Solitude and Irukandji. Handicap results went to the Etchells – Foxy, Eggshells and Forte Forever – in a clean sweep (even if they had difficulty recognising their skipper or crew).
In White Division Humbug again trapped the fleet momentarily with Tana, Paca, Joka and New Territories making the early break on their way to Neilsen Park. At the end New Territories had a good lead over Tana and Joka. Joka took the handicap result from Out of Africa and Tana.
The Red Division Match race was on again and proved to be a fabulous race with both Barubi and Flair in the lead at several times. The exit through Humbug was a bit easier as there was no disturbed air and only the true (???) breeze to negotiate. The run home for both was extra special with a couple of cruising Hunter 33s deciding to sit on both our transoms until we were finally able to break away. At the end Flair and Barubi were separated by 2 seconds on the water.
Please consider entering the Australia Day Regatta on the Harbour on Australia Day. For details see above.
Following the 2015 World Sailing (ISAF) conference in November, some changes were made to the RRS and became effective from 1 January 2016.
It is with sadness that we advise the passing of Alan Hunt, a former member of the Club along with myself and brothers Malcolm and Warwick Hunt. Alan Hunt sailed in 12 ft Skiffs Eva and Valhalla during the 1960’s. He served as President of the Club. Some of his trophies are displayed in the trophy cabinet.
I realise that time has passed but there maybe older members who remember Alan.
A memorial service for Alan will be held on Saturday at Terrigal (cnr Terrigal and Willoughby Road) commencing at 11:00 am.
Regards
Crawfurd Hunt
M: 0412413869
Popular Club members Adrian Van Bellen (J/122 Jackpot) and Ralph Pickering (J/109 Sweet Chariot) have just completed the prestigious Pittwater to Coffs Harbour race, organised by the RPAYC.
All Club members can bask in the glow of the performances these two boats achieved flying the Cub burgee.
Out of the 42 boats that started the race, many of which are seasoned and successful ocean racers: Jackpot won IRC Div 2, won ORCi and came 2nd IRC overall (Behind Beau Gueste). Sweet Chariot finished 6th in IRC Div 2 and 17th IRC overall.
A great result for not only the owners, skippers and crew, many of whom are members at the Greenwich Flying Squadron.
It was pleasing to note the number of Club members, not just family but friends that made the effort to get to Broken Bay to watch the start. (reporter GD)
Similar to the West Harbour Winter Series there is a combined Summer series open to yachts from DSC, BSC, PRSC and GFS. Races take place on each second Sunday with Race 1 on January 17. There is no entry fee for participating racing members of these clubs.
All skippers intending to sail in this series must register via the Top Yacht Entry System on the Balmain Club Website https://www.balmainsailingclub.com/. As this is a pursuit series, entries are required as soon as possible so that handicaps and a Start Number can be allocated before the first race.
The Notice of Race is NOR here and Sailing Instructions are SI here.
The Endeavour National Titles are being hosted by Drummoyne Sailing club next weekend – Saturday January 9 and Sunday January 10. if you are interested come and watch the racing from the balcony at DSC or on the water. The Sailor’s Grill at DSC offers excellent snacks and meals . Racing starts at 12.15pm on Saturday and 11.30am on Sunday. Notice of race.
The Australia Day Regatta is regarded as the oldest continuously conducted sailing regatta in the world. It has been conducted each year since 1837 to commemorate the anniversary of the first European settlement of Australia. 2016 marks the 180th Australia Day Regatta. Originally known as the Anniversary Regatta, the regatta proper is held on Sydney Harbour where it began making it one of the highlights of Australia Day each year.
As well as competing in our GFS satellite events it would be good to have a strong GFS presence in the regatta on the harbour on Australia Day.
To compete you will need to complete the entry form which can be found here . Further information can be found on the ADR website https://australiadayregatta.com.au/ or the regatta program which is available at the club.
A great day to be out on the water and even with the call to sail Course 4 (and 4A for the reds) it was an enjoyable race followed by the regular rendezvous on the Deck of Knowledge to dissect the day’s sailing and world events.
Blue Division with a strong fleet powered down the harbour with Flashback and Solitude challenging for the lead. The Etchells again had a strong presence with Eggshells, Forte Forever and Foxy. Blue Chip again resumed their friendly battle with Eggshells. The ‘big’ boats – Irukandji, Clovelly Pacific, Gwhizz, StarElan and Lisdillon looked impressive as they made the rounding at Fort Denison. In the end Flashback made it home a couple of minutes before Solitude with Irukandji and then Eggshells not too far back. A well-deserved win on handicap for Eggshells was a fitting result with Blue Chip and Solitude next.
In White division the fleet kept together on the run toward the bridge. Tana made a narrow break and led at the Fort closely pursued by Umzimkulu II and Out of Africa clawing at their transom. The A team, Joka and Paca, kept in close touch for almost the entire race. Late gybes by Out of Africa and Joka to round Goat Island looked spectacular. On handicap Joka was successful from the Africans Out of and Umzim. O of A won the best dressed (????) or not crew award.
In the reds the match race series continued with Flair and Evo. Flair made a break at the start as Evo made a late headsail change. Evo clawed back ground all the way to Fort Denison and then Flair pulled away on the run home despite being challenged by all manner of craft including Wild Oats XI, a floating glass box, yahoos who appreciated our spinnaker work on their harbour cruise and a floating post.
I wish all at GFS the compliments of the season – have a safe and joyous Christmas and a happy New Year.
The Saturday sailing season resumes on Jan 9, 2016.
