Coming Up...

Wednesday 15 January, 5pm – Twilight Sailing. Looks like it will be a wonderful 15-knot NE breeze under warm sunny skies… so join us! 

Saturday 18 January, 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 HERE if you are planning on attending.

Saturday 18 January, 2pm Start – Spring Pointscore Heats 3 & 4.

Wednesday 22 January, 5pm – Twilight Sailing.

Saturday 25 January, 2pm Start – Sprint Racing for Australia Day Long Weekend.

Saturday & Sunday 1-2 February – DBSC hosts the Metros. For more info click HERE. 

Surprise!!!!! surprise!!!!!

A few lucky members were present for the most wonderful of surprises last night when Mark Bethwaite set a club record which is unlikely to be beaten. Showing his trademark speed off the line, commitment and determination, Mark announced his engagement to the wonderful Jill Blaufelder at 6.50pm and they were married by 6.54pm!!!! A 4 minute engagement is a target to aspire for; To be honest, I’ve had first tacks off the start line that have taken longer.
Along with all the well wishers present, all at DBSC wish Mr & Mrs B a long and happy life together

Twilight sprints to ease you back to work...

As usual, twilight sprints will be on from 1730 (1700 splash) today!

What better way to help celebrate hump day for your first week back on the tools than an evening sail on the magical Sydney Harbour!

A decent Southerly is forecast, so do check conditions suit your skills before heading out.

A brief report after a brief day of brief sprints

 A motley crew of about 20 sailors, many of whom appeared to have overindulged on festive leftovers, greeted smoky skies and a building N/Eer for the first day’s racing of 2020.  Because the Laser National titles were on in Victoria, DBSC hosted a series of sprints.  Mike Dunne and Tim Heath set a 15 minute windward/leeward course off Point Piper.

4 races were held in the initially 12 knot, albeit somewhat inconsistent breeze before the wind eventually hit 25-30 knots, the chop built against an outgoing tide, the marks started drifting and we wisely decided to continue the festive season with early refreshments on the deck. 

Thanks to the canteen crew, led by Shirley and thanks to whoever filled the fridge with a variety of beers 🍻 . 

Help DBSC shine during the metros on Feb 1 and 2

DBSC is hosting the 2020 NSW Laser Association Metropolitan Championships on 1-2 February. It is an important event for the club, with sailors coming from near and far to compete, and we want to put on a good show.

We’re looking for members who do not wish to sail in the Metros to assist us and drive a RIB/boat on Saturday or Sunday. We currently need 3 RIB drivers and a Jazzman driver for both days. We also are looking for 3 canteen helpers on Saturday (lunch only) and 3 canteen helpers on Sunday (Breakfast & Lunch - will accept offers to do one of the two sessions).

Thank you to those who have already offered to help.

If you have not yet offered and can assist, please let Mark Crowhurst know HERE ASAP. 

Christmas - DBSC Style

DBSC members celebrated the festive season on the harbour in style, donning Santa hats as they sailed the annual Tyrell and Rousso races last Saturday. With the Sail Sydney Fleets taking up our traditional ENE race course, out fleet moved to a rare Rushcutter’s Bay to Clark Island course. In the Tyrell, the handicapped chase saw Andrew Cox winning in a very close finish. He crossed the finish line just centimetres ahead of Mark Crowhurst who had been leading for much of the race.   

A happy Andrew Cox after squeezing out a victory. Photo by Clare Alexander.

In the Rousso (a scratch race with a massed start) the finish saw Craig Sheers finish first in the standards and again saw Andrew Cox first in the radials, with Craig taking the trophy after application of the yardstick (which had Craig besting Andrew by just 4 seconds). Thanks to the on-water crew: Peter Collie, Hadrien Bourely, Clare Alexander, Richard George, and Pia Hattersley. Thanks also to the canteen crew who were assisted this week by Wade McDonough and Gerry Donohoe. 

Craig Sheers takes a celebratory dip after winning the Rousso. Photo by Clare Alexander.

After some competitive racing, the season ended with a chilled out cocktail hour and al fresco dining on the deck. As always, DBSC put on a fabulous show of food, fun, friendship and lots of frivolity! Thanks to all the volunteers who helped bring our community together and make the night such a success.

Christmas fun on the deck at DBSC.

Sail Sydney Success

It was a sea of DBSC sailors over the weekend at the Sail Sydney regatta. There was lots of podium action for our members, including Xavier McLachlan who placed 3rd in the 4.7s, Otto Henry who placed 2nd in Radials and Finn Alexander who placed 2nd in Standards. A notable mention also to Katie McHugh. Relatively new in a Laser, Katie gave it a go with the international competitors at Sail Sydney to get up to speed and learn as much as she can. Well done all!

Katie McHugh at Sail Sydney. Photo by Clare Alexander.

Slingsby Wins World Moth Champs

After a near-perfect score card at the end of the penultimate day of racing, Tom Slingsby has clean swept another day of racing to clinch his maiden Moth World Championship with a day to spare. The event is being held at Mounts Bay Sailing Club in WA.

After coming ashore, Slingsby told Sail-World that he was extremely happy with the win.

“I just had good speed, I was starting well and I was just trying not to explode the boat, which I’ve done a lot in the past,” he said. “It feels amazing, the Moth Class I love it, I’ve been doing it since 2010, I’ve got so many good friends in the fleet.

“I love the development and playing with the boat. I’m a Laser sailor and I’ve come over to this and I find it really enjoyable. I just somehow got the right package with the North Sails, Exocet boat, and CST rigs, and I was off.”

You can read more about Tom’s victory in Sail-World HERE and on the Mounts Bay Facebook Page.

Up Next and Holiday Schedule

We wish everyone a very happy Festive Season and hope 2020 brings nothing but good breezes your way. 

Please check out the holiday sailing schedule below. If you’re eager for more sailing over the holidays, our Top Mark Facebook Page is a great place let your DBSC mates know when you’re headed out. 

Also, please note the newsletter is taking a break and will return on 8 January. 

Wednesday 18 December, 5:30 start – Twilight Sailing with Brett Beyer.

Saturday 21 December, 2pm start – Sprint Racing.

Saturday 4 January, 2pm start – Sprint Racing.

Wednesday 8 January, 5:30 start – Twilight Sailing.

Saturday 11 January, 2pm start – Autumn Point Score (and we’re back to normal).

Christmas Party RSVPs needed TODAY

We’re looking forward to celebrating the festive season with you this Saturday, starting at 6pm. Partners welcome! There will be good dink, fine food and plenty of dancing. But we need to make sure we have enough supplies to keep the merriment going late, so please RSVP HERE by 5pm TODAY!