Big Boat Race Report

Written by Chris Bowling

Three boats, moderate southeasterly, much better weather than the previous Sunday when there were gales and widespread flooding. 

Our timed start without a start boat seemed to work well.  We all have watches set to exact time.  Corinna was first away but with G-Force threatening to sail over the top. It was Chenonceau who powered into the lead but Corinna found a little private lift to round Point Piper first.  Chenonceau hit the mark and did a 360 and G-force had to tack for the mark, leaving Corinna with a handy lead. 

The run and reach to Sow & Pigs was all about waterline length.  G-force tried a spinnaker but dropped it too late at the Taylors Bay mark, giving up time and going slow on a possibly dirty bottom. Chenonceau created an overlap to round the Beashel buoy first but when the reach to Shark Island became a work Corinna made the best of the frequent curly little lifts, rounding 200 yards ahead.

The reach to the finish was a nail-biter with Chenonceau rapidly closing the gap but Corinna managed to hang on to win by a boat length.  G-force finished about 5 minutes later.

A very enjoyable race, in spite of the small numbers.  

Next month the Edwards are racing on 1/3 and some of us are entered in their series so our next race is on 8/3.

Coming Up...

Wednesday 19 February, 5pm Splash – Twilight Sailing.

Saturday 22 February, EARLY START 11:15am Briefing – Vaucluse Yacht Club Regatta. (See more info above.)

Wednesday 26 February, 5pm Splash – Twilight Sailing.

Saturday 29 February, 2pm Start – Sprints (Due to SailGP).

Sunday 1 March, 7am – 10am – Clean up Australia Day. Come help clear rubbish from Steyne Park and the beaches to east and west of our clubhouse.  

State Masters in Jindabyne

While most DBSC members took the weekend off from sailing due to Sydney’s high winds and torrential rain, six of our comrades drove into the Snowy Mountains to compete in the State Masters at Jindabyne Sailing Club. The weather was more cooperative than in Sydney and the setting was very picturesque. Excellent hospitality and a real community spirit greeted the 66 sailors who competed at Jindabyne. After a warm-up twilight session on Friday evening, the regatta began in earnest on Saturday when three races were held in 6-15 knot winds. The breeze was challenging, shifting up to 45 degrees at times. Only one race was completed on Sunday after the easterly breeze died, and the rain set in.  

The fleet prepares to launch under ominous skies. Photo by Andrew Simpson.

Despite the challenging conditions, the DBSC crew did well: in the Standards, Brett Beyer finished 1st and Luke Parker 2nd overall, Jules Hall was the 1st Apprentice and Andrew Simpson was the 1st Grand Master. In the Radials, Andrew Cox was the 2nd Master. You can check out all the results HERE. 

Well done to the DBSC participants!

A close rounding in light breeze. Photo courtesy of Kevin Phillips.

New Member Oversight

In last week’s newsletter, we mistakenly referred to Michael Forbes as a non-member who was visiting for the Metros. In reality, he has been an active member of DBSC since last September. Big apologies to Mike for the oversight… and a belated welcome. Here is a bit more about him: 

Mike lives in Summerland Point on Lake Macquarie with his partner and fellow DBSC member, Vic Whitby. He owns and runs a small steel on the Central Coast. He is quite an accomplished sailor, starting at 8 years old on a VJ at Speers Point (top of Lake Macquarie). He then went on to Manly Juniors at Toukley and VJ's & 16ft skiffs at Gosford through his late teens. Like many of us he stopped competitive sailing when left high school, taking up sail boarding instead for over 15 years.

Mike got back into sailing in 2000 and since then has sailed Catamarans, Skiffs and Yachts, competing in three Sydney to Hobarts (two with Vic), five Sydney to Southports and other various offshore races. He’s also a Takers Instructor and a Dinghy Coach. So, watch out, he knows his stuff. 

Mike’s mantra for sailing is, “Every time I go out on water whether it’s sailing, teaching, officiating or even spectating I learn something new.” Next time you see Mike at the club, please be sure to say hi to him. 

New(ish) DBSC Member, Michael Forbes.

Coming Up…

Wednesday 12 February, 5pm splash – Twilight Sailing.

Saturday 15 February, 9am – Learn to Race.

Saturday 15 February, 2pm Start – Club Champs 9 & 10 and Autumn Pointscore 5 & 6, followed by a BBQ on the deck.  

Wednesday 19 February, 5pm splash – Twilight Sailing.

Saturday 22 February, 2pm Start – Vaucluse Yacht Club Regatta.

Wednesday 26 February, 5pm splash – Twilight Sailing.

Saturday 29 February, 2pm Start – Sprints (Due to SailGP).

Sunday 1 March, 7am – 10am – Clean up Australia Day. Come help clear rubbish from Steyne Park and the beaches to east and west of our clubhouse.  

Sunday 1 March, 2pm – Big Boat Race. 

Missing Car keys

Luke Parker misplaced his car key on Metro Sunday afternoon. Probably in bloke’s change room (maybe they fell into a bag?) or near the “grown ups” fridge. He’d be very grateful if they are found. Luke@sellparker.com.au

Masterful Metros

DBSC played host to the Laser Metropolitan Championships last weekend. Nearly 100 Lasers competed in 6 races, with a great contingent of DBSC sailors participating; many dressed in our new club racing kit.   

No matter what your wind preference, mother nature didn’t disappoint. The races on Saturday saw a classic Sydney Harbour NE’er with a steady 20 knots with gusts up to 30 knots. The three 45-miunte races tested the strength of even the fittest sailors. 

A wild and windy start to the Metros. Photo by Diana Valia Chen.

Day two saw a S to SE breeze with the first race run in Double Bay, with very little wind. The final two races were moved to Rose Bay which offered a stronger breeze. The conditions were still tricky, with sailors needing to be conscious of the big shifts. 

A calm Sunday morning at the Metros. Photo by @Paquerette Wannebroucq www.paquerettewannebroucq.com

DBSC members did quite well in the Championships, including Xavier McLachlan placing 2nd in the 4.7s, and Brett Beyer taking 1st, and Luke Parker 3rd in the Standard Rigs. In the Radials, DBSCers filled the podium with Otto Henry, Daniel Costandi, and Jack Ferguson taking 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively. You can check out all the results HERE.

Thanks to the many, many DBSC members who helped pull together a great weekend of racing, especially to Mark Crowhurst for organizing the event for us and coordinating with the NSW Laser Association, and to Emily Ball for two days of RIB driving and for jumping in the water unprompted and retrieving everyone's Dollys as they launched. 

Of course, we also had the help of many non-members. We’d like to especially acknowledge Mike Forbes for his race management expertise, and Richard and Patsy Batchelor for their work on the finish boat. Thanks also to the NSW Laser Association for putting on the Metros, PRO Andrew McLachlan and all the competitors for a great regatta. 

Check out the Top Mark Facebook page for more photos of the weekend.

RIB Driver Needed for 18s

John Vasey graciously helps DBSC fulfil our affiliation agreement with the 18s by supplying RIB support to their fleet every Sunday. John is unavailable to do so on the following dates:

• Sunday February 9th

• Sunday February 23rd

• Sunday March 1st

If you are interested in volunteering for any/all of these shifts, please let Mark Crowhurst know HERE ASAP. The day goes from about 1pm to 5pm and we have detailed instructions from John on what’s involved. Thanks!

Up Next at DBSC

Wednesday 5 February, 5pm splash – Twilight Sailing.

Saturday & Sunday 8-9 February – State Masters at Lake Jindabyne. Good luck to all the DBSC crew headed there!

Saturday 8 February, 2pm Start – Sprint Racing at DBSC.

Wednesday 12 February, 5pm splash – Twilight Sailing.

Saturday 15 February, 9am – Learn to Race

Saturday 15 February, 2pm Start – Club Champs 9 & 10 and Autumn Pointscore 5 & 6 followed by a BBQ on the deck. 

DBSC Hosts Metros This Weekend

This weekend DBSC will be hosting the Metropolitan Championships. Thanks to everyone who has volunteered to help run a great regatta. Volunteers should have already received an email from Mark Crowhurst with details of when and where you need to be. If you haven’t, please email him HERE. Also, we’re still looking for a volunteer to drive the Jazzman on Sunday – let Mark know if you’re keen.

We’re expecting to have a large contingent of DBSC sailors join the regatta. For those of you who are planning on sailing, you need to pay the registration fees — both for the NSW/ACT Laser Association membership HERE  (if not already paid for the year) and the Regatta Fees for the Metros HERE. Also, remember to proudly wear your DBSC gear on and off the water!

Here is the schedule of events for the weekend: 

SATURDAY 1 FEBRUARY:

• Registration is 930am to 1130am.

• Briefing is 1130am.

• First Warning Signal is 1330 hrs. Subsequent starts shall be made ASAP after the preceding race. 

SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY:

• First Warning Signal is 1100 hrs. Subsequent starts shall be made ASAP after the preceding race.

• No Warning Signal shall be hoisted after 1530 hrs on Sunday.  

• Prize giving following racing.