Greenwich Flying Squadron

Twilight Season Results 2014 15

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”.

Saturday March 28Autumn Race 5

Autumn Race 4

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 50^th 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?v=BaX3aF3_gxY

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.

The first of the summer Series Twilight races was run on Wednesday 10th December in conditions similar the the past few weeks and very “un-summer”  like. We only experienced one close lightning event a big improvement on last week when the now regular Sydney storms with lightning and a 35 knot front caused the cancellation of the last Autumn twilight race.

Conquista Rob Hale Black Division Winner

Peter Clarke Avanti Blue Division Winner

This week we just had 5mm of rain and 90 degree wind shifts. Much fun was had by all and every one was a winner if a little damp for the experience.

A smaller than usual group of diners stayed on for the BBQ cosy in the shed. You can see their happy faces in the photo above along with photos of the Black and Blue Division winners on the night receiving their prizes donated by our valued sponsors. Full results are here.

Next week will be the Christmas BBQ which is always very popular.

Rich Imlay is acting as Rear Commodore Junior Sailing until we can get a new recruit to the role.

Rich explains…. After 8 years and putting my three kids sailing through GFS it is time for us to “hang up the boots”. My kids have transitioned to more senior dinghies at Lane Cove, but they will all still put in appearances at GFS on most Sundays.

I am hoping that someone else in the club or perhaps a new entrant would be interested in taking up responsibility for Sundays. This could be a Sabot parent or a Laser sailor. The role is quite manageable if you can delegate responsibilities amongst a willing volunteer base. The responsibilities of the Rear Commodore role are here.

Please give it some serious thought. It is an important part of GFS and to the sport of sailing.

The Saturday Sailing Season commences on Saturday September 6.

We would especially like to encourage our regular Twilight skippers and their crews to join our relatively small Saturday fleet.  There are two divisions which will allow competitive and safe racing for any boat from any of the Twilight Divisions.  Handicaps will account for boats not wishing to carry spinnakers, skippers will appreciate the generally less crowded conditions with more room on the water to manoeuvre.  Marks are laid and sometimes Island courses are used.  There are no duty crews as regular starters have been engaged to organise the start and finish.

You may also just choose to compete once a month in the Down Harbour Series or in the 6 race Mick York Series.  Dates are detailed on the Season Program on the GFS web site here.

In preparation, please remember that Equipment Audits are a mandatory requirement prior to racing.  The date set aside for Saturday competitors is Saturday August 30.  Please download and complete the form from the web site. Please initial the equipment required (not tick) and, on the day, have everything laid out for the auditor.

Once again please consider sailing with the GFS Saturday Fleet.  It is important that we maintain a strong presence on the water on the weekend.

At the July 15 GFS AGM a number of new faces were elected to the Committee. The 2014-2015 Season Committee members and their roles are as follows:

After over 19 years of service with his last two years being as Commodore, Geoff Lucas has stood down for the time being from a Committee involvement with the Club. More on Geoff’s superb achievement for the Club in a later post. Our heartfelt thanks to you Geoff for your enormous contribution over the years.

And welcome back Roger Gee as the Membership Secretary after a two year leave of absence.

Please note we have also lost Rich Imlay from the Committee as Rear Commodore/Youth Sailing. He will not be lost in terms of involvement with Sunday sailing but he is taking a well earned break from this official role. We therefore have a big set of shoes to fill to replace him. Sunday dinghy sailing and youth/junior sailing in particular is a critical element of the Club’s raison d’être. If anyone out there is willing to assume this role even in an interim capacity we are very keen indeed to have you come on board. To find out more contact Rich Imlay or the incoming Commodore, David Edmiston.

Remember, to contact any of the Committee fill in the ‘Contact Us’ form here.