The GFS House Rules have been revised and are found in Club Documents on the Club Information section of the website. These rules are important as they cover many operational matters which are in place to ensure that all members are clearly informed of their responsibilities regarding the use of clubhouse facilities.
Please take the time to read through the document.
Our congratulations go to Rosalie Lucas for achieving the honour of being awarded the Lane Cove Citizen of the year at the recent awards presentation. Rosalie has been an very active in club and community over a long period and we are pleased that Rosalie has been honoured in this way. The photograph of Rosalie with the award is copyright and is by Alfonso Calero on behalf of the Lane Cove Council and we thank them for permission to publish it on our web site.
Rosalie Lucas with her Lane Cove Citizen of the year award. Photo by Alfonso Calero on behalf of Lane Cove Council
What a great day on the water except for the breeze!
The race started in what looked like a light breeze that showed some hope of filling in. This soon disappeared.
After about an hour of drifting and with most boats having covered less than 1 kilometre the RO blew the whistle an abandoned the race. Lovely day on the water and the ferry passengers to Cockatoo Island enjoyed the spectacle.
Race 3 Fleet gearing up for the start
French Connection “as idle as a painted ship upon a painted ocean” Coleridge
GFS friendly rivalry in Green Division
The grey skies kept the rain at bay and the light wind held for Race 2 of the West Harbour Winter Series.
With 57 boats the race was closely contested in each of the four divisions.
GFS standouts were Umzimkulu II and Evo – first and second in Green Division.
GFS member Ian Creak and his crew sailed Caliban II in guise as Ausreo to Hobart in last year’s Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
Caliban is a Benetau 47.7.
Several GFS members sailed both to Hobart and on the return trip. They included Jim Lelliot, Paul Atwood, Brett Haywood and Phil Lambe.
The following link is to Phil Lambe’s website and is an excellent chronicle of the return voyage.
The GFS Annual presentation recognised achievements in races over the 2014 – 2015 sailing season. More importantly it provided an opportunity for skippers and crew to meet, greet and discus a range of topics in a relaxed atmosphere on the ‘Deck of Knowledge’.
The presentation itself rivalled the Eurovision Song Contest in both style and substance. We were fortunate to have Peter Notley and the inimitable Joe Walsh to present some of the awards. We were also honoured to have our own sailing icons present for the event – Keith, Hans, Alan and Mick.
Commodore David managed to get through a huge number of awards in an entertaining and efficient manner.
Commodore David addresses the extended Deck of Knowledge
It was an event not to be missed. The snacks provided were excellent and we thank Glenda, Pam J, Lesley and Pam B for their effort in providing and distributing food to all corners of the clubhouse (sorry if I missed anyone).
As some award recipients were not able to attend their skite plates are on the window sill in the entry foyer of the club. There are also some Australia Day Medallions as well. It would be appreciated if these could be collected.
Full listing of 2014 – 2015 prize winners
Under grey skies Race 1 of the West Harbour Winter Series started on Sunday with 55 yachts (and 1 catamaran) contesting in the four divisions.
The winds were light and variable which made for some testing sailing. The course was shortened allowing all fleets to finish.
A good day was had by (almost) all.
Tana vying for the lead in Black Division at the first mark off Snapper Island.
The next West Harbour Winter Series race is Sunday – August 9 – Race 7. There will be a presentation at Drummoyne Sailing Club – Sailors’ Bar after the event. Prizes will be awarded for Race 6 courtesy GFS and Race 7 courtesy DSC. Overall series results and the winning club Trophy will also be presented.
L’Atitude – WHWS Race 6
A final reminder –
The start for all WHWS races will be in the triangle between Cockatoo Island, Longnose Point and Greenwich Point.
Race information will be relayed on VHF 72
The Sailing Instructions and Results for the series are below:-
email from Geoffrey Lucas to David Edmiston:-
I heard today club member John Maynard died a week or so ago (you may already know this). The family did not put a death notice in the paper.
John was an architect whose practice was in Neutral Bay. His yacht “Jagen” is moored next to mine in Gore Creek. Several years ago, when John was unable to sail because of his cancer, I asked him if you would be in a position to come down to the club and supervise the young starters in order to alleviate starting problems we were having at the time stop he did this for a couple of seasons which really helped us.
Apparently John was an experienced yachtsmen having competed in Sydney Hobart race when he was only 17 and also was part of the Australian team which won the Admiral’s cut back in 1970 or thereabouts. Apart from that, I don’t know much more about John except he was a fine man, always cheerful even with his illness and was highly respectedstop I’ll miss not having a chat with him from boat to boat. Bill McLaughlin knew him as they shared the same dinghy lock up facility in Gore Creek.
Thanks, Geoff
An invitation is extended to owners of eligible boats to enter the third annual West Harbour Winter Series comprising of 7 point score races starting on May 17 and ending on August 9th.
The Organising Authority is Greenwich Flying Squadron (GFS). The Notice of Race is here.
Skippers have been advised by email but if you missed the communication and want to sail in the series entry can be made from the link below. Please respond by May 10.
The results for the Saturday Summer Series for Blue Division were not updated after being adjusted to rectify an error in recording the finish. Apologies for any confusion.
A crew member from Blue Chip, Phil Lambe, sent this message to Mal Blomfield who is lost somewhere on the Western Front.
Please let Phil Hare know if there are issues. The results in the Yacht Results are not complete.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.From In Flanders Fields by John McCrae (1872–1918)
Lest we forget
The ANZAC log passing the club pontoon
In true ANZAC tradition the departure of the GFS fleet was delayed by weather conditions. This proved to be a good thing as it allowed GWhereareyou to start as they travelled from their new mooring at Coasters Retreat.
Course 10 proved elusive as the pre start fleet searched the western front for the location of the start boat which was nicely camouflaged along the Birchgrove shore. It was very hard to pick a course in windless conditions but the choice seemed to work with the resulting wind direction. The Blue fleet set off after the bugle sounded and headed for Compass.
Solitude revelled in the conditions and led the race right up until the last post. The fleet stayed as unit for much of the race and it wasn’t until the charge to the finish that the Chippies made a break on the others. At the finish Chloe, Speedwell, Eggshells and Gwhizz finished within a minute to end hostilities.
Honour roll – Solitude, Speedwell and Blue Chip. In Red the depleted unit headed into battle with the F troop momentarily leading the charge but falling. From then Joka took up the charge and continued to increase their lead with military precision. Flair battled the elements and attempted to make up lost ground. Zig Zag came home like the charge of the light brigade. Joka took the honours and in the true spirit of mateship the F and Z troops couldn’t be separated and tied for last.
Luckily we all made it back before the gusty change, thunder, lightning and hail.
Autumn Race 7 Results are here
GFS Young 88’s Andiamo Gerry Morcombe and Mind Over Matter Julian Todd competed in the just concluded Young 88 NSW Championships. The series results are here.
