Autumn Race 6 the penultimate event of the season saw grey skies and looked foreboding but the rain held off and the wind hung in for a good day on the water. A good group met back on the deck after the race to discuss the merits or not of the day’s sail and possibly lynch the person who writes these reports.
The full talent of report writing which could deserve such treatment is on exhibition in the full race report which is here.
Next Saturday in the true ANZAC tradition is the final race of the 2014 – 2015 Season. The Flair reenactment of the landing on the GFS pontoon generally went un-noticed as we farewelled one of the F-crew after the race as he left for Gallipoli.
GWhizz Commodore’s Cup Prize Presentation
Passion on the way to a close second at Port Stephens
Passion David Edmiston was just beaten on a countback in the Performance Cruising Division of the Sail Port Stephens regatta concluded over the weekend. There were 21 yachts in this division part of the fleet of 88 which contested the regatta. GWhizz sailed well in the hotly contested series to finish 8th.
GWhizz waiting for breeze at Port Stephens
GWhizz John Veal and Graeme Davey won the last race of the lead up event the Commodore’s Cup at Sail Port Stephens and was pipped by just one point for the series.
More about the GFS participation and photos are on the Passion web site here.
The full regatta results are here.
The Sail Port Stephens website is here.
Sound Track Crew’s Victory Dive
Although the planned race to Manly and return for all divisions did not come to fruition, the starters and the ‘Deck of Knowledge’ in all their wisdom decided that a somewhat shorter course was in order.
Soundtrack was the ultimate winner and you can see the crew’s victory dive in the photo.
All the goss on the race is here.
The dynamic duo of Tahnee and Dagmar Wade were on hand providing the after race BBQ catering for the last twilight of the season.
This was their last function for GFS as they are shortly moving to Queensland.
Thanks to them for the organisation and work over the past years.
The final twilight race on Wednesday 1st April saw a useful breeze, a shortish course and an excellent rollup both on the water and for the fully subscribed après sail BBQ.
The many committee and other folk who make the GFS twilights such a success were recognised and thanked.
You can see some of the happy faces of the sailors and friends and a few of the many prize recipients in the photos below.
The results for the series are here.
Congratulations to all the sailors and as we are reminded “Everyone’s a winner”.
Here is a bit of news handed to me on Wednesday night during our meal inside the club just prior to our prizegiving. It is about a boat that used to race with GFS. Thompson 8 Sports Boat “Rush” in the 45 mile Marley Point Race on 7/8 March 2015 on Gippsland Lakes, Victoria.
A copy of a letter sent to Darren Spence Digital Director Australian Sports Boat Association.
By RV (sorry no photographs-it was an overnight race-I could have put up a black photograph).
“Hi Darren
Sorry not able to report Sunday, finished at 5 AM some celebratory beers and some sleep before I’m reading getting a declaration in and breakfast at the club 12:30 PM will stop by this time we are all looking for some more sleep. Least that’s my excuse.
The race. Most difficult part was getting to the start from Paynesville if you are elected to motor down into a stiff breeze and nasty chop, we achieved 3 kn with 5 hp going hard, 12 L gone before the end will stop sailed the bottom lake, wet trip lots of water in the boat no time for the crew to go ashore and to attend the briefing and get back. Sent one member to do the formalities (our female lawyer).
Start 7:45 PM. One line 120 boats in the dark. Tight reach with masthead chute across Lake Wellington, 1st into the river with a group of tri’s on our tail. Breeze was up and down in the river the gap ever-changing. Managed to get out of the river in front of 2 tri’s hanging on. Fickle breeze in the top lake, down to 2 tri’s and us. The Corsair 28 got through, we read took the lead again before the club finish 1st time. Only the lap of Raymond Island to go. Had a nice break into Lake King, only to see him catch us up at the back of the island. Held on for line honours by 50 metres. Big thanks to the great crew Peter Antill, Jill & Steve Brajkovich, Tim Ellis and Dirk Hoogland,
Graham Coffey RUSH”
First prizes from the Australia Day Regatta were presented at Sydney Town Hall on Tuesday March 17
You can see the smiling faces of the GFS first place getters from GFS’s Mind/Matter, Zig Zag, Evo, Sabotage and Vitesse with the Australia Day Race Committee person at the Town Hall reception in the photo.
The wind prediction luckily was less than the wind that actually appeared and this fortunate circumstance meant that all competitors were able to not only get through the city on the way Down Harbour, but to return to Greenwich as well.
Blue Division had a significantly large fleet of 12 yachts and with a close start out through Humbug resulted in some displaying their skill with spinnakers. Forte Forever were a bit late as they were trying to locate where they had left their third crew person (perhaps in the dinghy with the unneeded sails) and gave the fleet a bit of a start. Solitude made it to Clark ahead but were tackled by a swarm of larger boats by the bridge – Flashback, Conquista and Gwhizz took up the running. Blue Chip and Chloe kept about the same distance as they are on their moorings although they were being harassed by Eggs. Young Obsession, Forte and Peachy Velociteats also were locked together on the run home. Speedwell, Forte4ever and Irukandgi also seemed inseparable. Paul’s Obsession and Brian’s Teats had significant spinnaker moments after Balls Head which was opportune in the case of the Obsessives as the leeward crew was in need of cooling down.
In White, Tana, Out of Africa and New Territories escaped leaving Paca and Joka to discuss the merits of nuclear warhead tests in the vicinity of Onions Point. New Territories got there and back with withering speed as though they were escaping Hong Kong, especially with their large kite requiring a crew nearly equal the size of that on Flashback. The White Fleet won the ‘covered the biggest length of the harbour’ award as they finished almost regularly at 5 minute intervals well into the night.
The Red match race continued with Flair and Zig Zag displaying excellent sailing ability. Enough said, albeit to note that Barubi was away and sailing in the Endeavour Yachts 50th Anniversary Regatta held at Botany Bay by Botany Bay Yacht Club. I hope the Wise crew made more of an impact than Captain Arthur Phillip. A pleasant Saturday sail was held on the Bay, but Sunday was special!
apologies to Brian but we have to do add this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Wanted
Budding photojournalist/s or budding reporters to submit photographs and stories we can publish on this website.
Send emails to RV, Graham Davy, David Edmiston or any of the committee. They will be published provided they are PC and suitable for public viewing. …RV
PS some photographs of the twilight sky or yachts racing in GFS events…….
Does it get any better than this?
250 happy folks attended the Christmas BBQ following the twilight summer series race 2 on 17th December.
You can see from the photos the deck was overflowing with extra chairs and tables brought in for the appreciative diners. Thanks to all the organisers and caterers who managed to cater for the record crowd.
The raffle on the night raised $1800 of which $900 was donated to the Salvation Army.
The winner of the best dressed crew Jackpot can be seen in the photo below
.
Results for the last twilight of the year are here.
