Registrations Open for Masters Worlds and Radial Youth Worlds

The Radial Youth World Championships and the Laser Masters World Championships applications are open from now to 12 April.

The details of these events can be found here and the Australian entry ranking criteria can be found here. 

Note that the Standard Men's World Championship and the Radial Women's World Championship will be organised by World Sailing not the ILCA. Links to the details of these events can also be found here.

Race Report

Saturday was heats 7 and 8 of the Autumn Point Score.  It looked like an absolutely stonking northeast gradient, so everyone rigged their number three sails and reefed their jibs.  But when we got out there, it wasn’t so bad.  BoM recorded it as 17-22kts NNE, with a short peak at 26kts.  Our resident wind-whisperer, Brett Beyer, clocked it at more like 12-20kts for the first race and 7-14kts for the second.  And that’s pretty much how it really was.

The Radials and 4.7s showed exactly how not to start.  Dreadful drift rate management, late bale-outs and even a couple of capsizes on the gun.  The Standards did better.  And eventually everyone was away.  There was some good wave catching to be had with the incoming tide, and that was Race 1.  Race 2 was more interesting.  The Radials didn’t learn, and still botched the start.  This time the wind had died, before some rain came through on the left.  Those who managed the lull and the rain-induced left-hander did very well.  And those who didn’t, didn’t.

Thanks to PRO, Michael Osborne, assisted by Clare Alexander, and to the COTD team of Mark Crowhurst and John Chesterman, helped out by Julian van Aalst and Hugo Knight.  Thanks also to Wade McDonough, who helped Paul, Andrea and Shirley in the canteen.

The winners on adjusted times were:  for the Standards, Steve London ahead of Dave Newman in Race 1 and David Newman ahead of Ian Alexander in Race 2; and for the Radials/4.7s, David Huber ahead of Daryl Lawrence in Race 1 and Zac West ahead of Pat Levy in Race 2.

The Week Ahead

Wednesday 28 February, 5pm – Twilight Sailing. Sign up here if you’re coming. It’s the last few weeks of daylight saving, come and join us for some big fleets.  Everyone gets to join in the drills and hear from Brett Beyer as part of the group, while those in the program get individual help.

Saturday 3 March, 9am – Learn to Race. Come along if you want to learn more about Laser boat handling, balance, boat posture, trim, starts, tacks, gybes, boat set-up and any other race management fundamentals. Please email Martin White if you plan on attending.

Saturday 3 March, 2pm Start – Club Championships Heats 11 & 12 and Autumn Point Score Heats 7 & 8. No BBQ due to the JJs.

Sunday 4 March, 6:30am & 9am to 12noon – Clean-Up Australia Day at DBSC. See details below.

Sunday 4 March, 2pm Start – Big Boat Racing. Please let Jonathan Stone know if you want to join the fleet. 

Clean-Up Australia Day – This Sunday

DBSC is once again participating in Clean-Up Australia Day. We’ll be cleaning the beaches and parks near our club this Sunday, March 4th. Because low tide is early (at 4:43am) it’s an early start.  We’re looking for volunteers to arrive at 6:30am to clean the beaches for about 30 minutes. Then we’ll have a second wave from 9am to noon to clean the park and upper parts of the beaches. Thanks for coming out and supporting the club’s efforts to be a good community partner in this important event. 

Family Day RSVP

In order to gage numbers and interest in Family Day we need those who’d like to attend to click here to RSVP now (the event is free, but we just need to know you’re coming). We’re planning a jumping castle, family Laser sprint races, and a kiddie friendly BBQ. Family day will take place at 4:30 pm on 17 March.  It’s the chance to show the kids and your partner what you get up to every Saturday. Thanks for letting us know if you’ll be attending. 

Women’s Regatta Postponed

After the announcement of the Women’s Regatta in last week’s newsletter, several members of DBSC reached out to female sailors in Sydney and surrounds to spread the word about the event and to confirm numbers. We had a tremendously positive response and overwhelming interest in participating. However, a significant number of sailors who are very keen to participate have other commitments in April.  In the interests of maximising the number of people who can attend and be part of Regatta, we have decided to postpone it to a date to be confirmed later in 2018.

We intend to work with Australian Sailing and the Laser Association over the next few weeks to find a suitable date, and will then launch formal marketing, including a “save the date” and details for registering interest.

We remain committed to hosting a Women’s Regatta and supporting women in sailing. Thanks to everyone who has been helping organise the event, especially Clare Alexander whose passion and limitless energy have been incredible. If you would like to join the Women’s Regatta Committee, and help create a new signature event on the DBSC calendar, please email Andrew Cox.

The postponement of the Regatta allows Club Championship Heats 13 & 14 to be held on 7 April as originally scheduled. 

Finn to Offer Private Lessons

Finn Alexander, Laser Youth World Champion and current member of the Australian Sailing Squad, has been Laser sailing for 5 years, under the guidance of coaches such as Mike Leigh and Michael Blackburn. While managing an Olympic campaign in the Laser, Finn currently coaching Laser sailors - both young and old, providing expertise in all aspects of Laser sailing, from Learn to Sail all the way to international level. Finn is able to draw from the expertise from his own learnings and guidance from his own coaches to provide a tailored service that enables sailors to reach their goals.

For DBSC members, Finn will be coaching from the Paul Adam at the rate of $75/hr, for a 2hr session.  Finn will also offer a discount to sailors working in small groups of 2 or 3.  To contact Finn regarding availability email: finnalexander123@gmail.com, or call on: 0401841845.

Finn Alexander

Yellow Lid = Recycle, Red Lid = Garbage

Don’t forget that we are now recycling at DBSC. Week one didn’t go so well, with the bin with the yellow lid being filled with discarded food, old bits of rope, black sticky tape, poly bags, etc. We will have to do better! Remember that the bin with the yellow lid is for recycling only, the bin with the red lid is for non-recyclable garbage. Thanks for your help with this. 

Bin with the yellow lid is for recycling ONLY.

Metros in March

Folks the Metropolitan Championships are coming up on the weekend of 17-18th March at Drummoyne Sailing Club.

The Notice of Race is HERE and entries can be placed  online HERE or on Saturday 17th at the club. Entry is $60 or $30 for sailors under 21.

Drummoyne Sailing Club has great facilities and offers viewing of the race track in most breezes. The club’s web site HERE  has information on the club’s dining and facilities. The club is located at 2 St Georges Crescent Drummoyne. Google Map location  HERE.

This will be a fun venue with racing around the islands in the more traditional triangle, windward/return format.

There is good rigging area however car parking in the area is tight. Recommended parking is in the large adjacent Birkenhead Point Centre. Birkenhead parking information is  HERE

Large DBSC Fleet Participates in Vaucluse Regatta

A fleet of 42 DBSC boats attended the Vaucluse Regatta last Saturday.  It was a beautiful day, with a NE gradient breeze of ~20kts blowing for most of the afternoon.  Harbour traffic was heavy and that, combined with the outgoing tide, made for plenty of short sharp chop.

The finishing order for the first five in the Standards was Anthony Scali (VYC), Matt Faddy (VYC), Ian Alexander (DBSC), Byron Georgouras (VYC), Jules Hall (DBSC), and for the first five in the Radials was Jack Littlechild (DBSC), Matt Knight (DBSC), Elliot Scali (VYC), Campbell Patton (DBSC), Dennis Kuhlmann (DBSC).  The finishing order for the two 4.7s (who sailed with the Radials and finished high in the fleet) was Brooke Wilson (DBSC) and Mina Ferguson (DBSC). Full results are available here.

Thanks to Vaucluse Yacht Club and their race committee for a very enjoyable day and strong competition.