A Twilight sized fleet gathered to contest DH race 2 and this was very gratifying. The weather held and in a lightening breeze the Blue fleet made it back from Nielsen Park, White from Shark and the Red(s) from the Fort.
The ‘big’ boats – Clovelly Pacific, Sweet Chariot, Flashback, Lisdillon and GWhizz, made the Blue Division a daunting site as they entered Humbug. With 14 boats in the blue fleet for the race it was an excellent turn-out.
Photograph courtesy Andrew Richardson – click here for more photographs from Andrew for DH Race 2
White division also looked healthy with 5 contestants – Tana, Out of Africa, New Territories, Joka and Umzimkulu II.
Sadly the Red fleet was depleted. However, there seems to be building interest and the fleet size looks like increasing in the very near future. There is still room for boats from the Red and Green twilight fleets to join and enjoy a day on the water on a Saturday.
The return to west of Bridge coincided with the departure of the fuel carrier Elka Delphi. The red fleet, observing the procedures outlined at the Skippers’ briefing, slipped by along the Snails Bay ‘shore’ as the vessel was manoeuvred out from its berth in Gore Cove. I’m sure the rest of the GFS fleet also observed the correct procedure.
Next Saturday Race is Spring Race 5 – October 24.
For Twilight Spring Race 2 our new caterer ML is providing 5 vegetarian and 5 ready made meals. If you wish to order the vegetarian meals in future (week by week) you should email a request to the caterers. To achieve that, hover your mouse pointer over the YACHT tab on our website and sub-tabs will appear namely Results and Twilights : by clicking on the Twilights will be able to access the caterer’s email address and also be able to check the Twilight Duty Roster.
The October issue of our magazine HUMBUG has been posted – access it via the Humbug Tab
An excellent day for a sailing race with an ENE breeze ranging from about 7 to 15 kts. Course 18 gave the navigators a bit of a challenge with Blue Division rounding both Goat Island and Goat Buoy on different legs of the course and Green/White only Goat Buoy.
It was good to see a healthy fleet in Blue Division and we welcome the return of Phil and Steven Lucas in Solitude and Colin Wiley and crew in Naughty Call for their first appearance in Saturday Series races with the club. Also the re-crewed Irukandji with Paul Stubbs and Steve Nash in control was a welcome addition.
It is sad that the number of boats in Green/White Division has declined as it would be a perfect opportunity for Twilight Green and Red Division boats to sail on the weekend. Handicaps would accommodate non-spinnaker sailing and the shorter course means a shorter afternoon. Please consider.
Next Saturday race is Down Harbour Race 2 (October 17).
In case you would like to review some of the matters covered in the recent Skippers’ Briefing please follow the link below. It may be worthwhile for crew to view, especially regarding keeping an eye out for commercial shipping particularly ferries and reviewing the racing rules.
Race 1 of the Down Harbour Series was contested in light winds and magnificent weather.
New to Saturday Down Harbour Races were Lisdillion and Clovelly Pacific who raced in Blue Division. Many of the White and Red Division were missing and it is hoped that these fleets will build over the coming races.
View an updated race report here
It was good to get back on the water after the winter lay off or the WHWS no wind or extreme wind races.
The start from the deck gave the fleet the normal challenge through Humbug with the added wind shear at Onions Point to add to the fun.
Audit dates for the Saturday and Twilight Series have now passed.
Audits for Saturday and Twilight Series Yachts can still be arranged by contacting the GFS Safety Officer, Julian Todd (see Contacts page for details)
The Equipment Audit form for the 2015-2016 sailing season can be found on the Club Documents or Yachts pages of the website or here.
This form should be downloaded and completed prior to your Equipment Audit.
Have the form (see below) completed by initialing the listed items (initials NOT ticks). On the inspection day please have the items to be checked laid out so that the inspection is completed with no delay. Sailing Instructions and Course Sheets will be provided at the time of inspection.
As organising club GFS would like to thank all representatives of the three participating clubs who have contributed to the success of West Harbour Winter Series.
Firstly the skippers and crew who have mastered the variety of wind conditions to make the event close fought in each of the four divisions each week and for the overall series.
Secondly to the start boat crew Riv, Alex, Gerry (DSC) and our own Hugh and Xavier (GFS) for their effort in laying and collecting marks, selecting courses managing the start and recording finishers. We have been fortunate to have the availability of both DSC start boats (DSC 1 and Ian Stuart) for the event.
Riv, Gerry, Xavier, Hugh and Alex
The onus of running results is a difficult task and we thank Balmain sailing Club for doing this – from delivering and collecting the start and finish sheets in the BSC RIB, entering the results into Top Yacht and posting them onto the Web.
The co-operation from the three clubs has been rewarding and it is hoped that this and the West Harbour Winter Series will continue long into the future. The final post-race get together at Drummoyne Sailing Club showed the camaraderie between members from the three clubs in a relaxed and convivial atmosphere.
Finally, again well done to all competing skippers and crews and congratulations to yachts which have gained places in each of the races and especially places in the series.
The DSC wrap up and Race 7 report is here
Again a delayed start held the fleet back some 30 minutes. When finally underway the wind had shifted to the East which made for a downhill start on westerly Course 2. The breeze slowly filled in and with the decision to shorten the course and set the finish line at Snapper Island across to near Drummoyne Sailing Club all competitors were able to make it to the finish.
Umzimkulu II at the finish
Standout performances on the day were Umzimkulu II and Naughty Call.
Naughty Call was first on handicap in Division 2 after an outstanding race – well done Colin and crew.
David and the Umzimkulu II crew achieved an excellent result and are congratulated for not only finishing first on the water and handicap in Race 7 but also first in the Green Division Series.
Full results are available for Race 7 and the Series here
The annual GFS working bee marks the start of the 2015 -2016 Sailing Season. It is a great chance to meet other members from all sections of the club and contribute to keeping the facilities of GFS in top shape for the season.
Mark Rhodes will have the usual list of tasks prepared and ready at the club. If you are able please bring a few basic tools to help with completing the work.
Come along to the club from 0900 hours.
Again a fresh blast from the West gave the race an edge with limiting conditions and added bullets to keep crews alert. Wind recorded from the start boat was 10 to 22 with the strongest gust 28 knots.
Highland Ghost – WHWS Race 6
The Laser Masters’ World Championships were sailed in the waters off Kingston between July 12 and 18. The sailing venue, Portsmouth Olympic Harbour, is located at the eastern end of Lake Ontario and the head of the St. Lawrence River in Canada.
Three GFS members competed – Kevin Phillips, David Edmiston (Great Grand Masters) and Geoff Lucas (Over 75 fleet).
Photo Luka Bartulovic
The results after 11 races (Final Provisional results) can be viewed here – Radial Great Grand Master and Radial 75 and over.
Protecting children from abuse is a responsibility that we must all undertake. Through the implementation of strategies that assist in preventing child abuse from occurring, Greenwich Flying Squadron has taken a pro-active role in relation to child protection and intervention. These strategies will help to foster a safe and positive environment for children and young people to participate in physical activities.
Please take the time to read the policy.
The GFS Child Protection Policy can be viewed on the Club Information (Club Documents) page of the website or here
The so called Antarctic vortex reduced the Race 5 fleet as the cold and windy conditions made the decision to sail difficult. However, some hardy souls ventured out in yachts to compete.
The Sailing Program for the 2015 – 2016 season can be found on both the Club Information and Yachts Pages of the web site. The program sets out all important dates of club events and the racing dates for Saturday yachts, Twilight yachts, Junior and Laser sailing. GFS Sailing Program
