Race Report

Saturday’s storms may have made for a perfectly spooky Halloween, but created challenging conditions for sailing. Thunderstorms and heavy rain caused a delay in the start of racing, but in between storms the race committee was able to squeeze in heats 6 and 7 of the Spring Point Score. The fleet raced in a challenging shifty Southerly which ranged from 5 to 20 knots.  

The winners of the day (after handicapping) were: Standards: Steve London (heat 6) and Michael Osborne (heat 7), Radials: David Airey (heat 6) and James Tudball (heat 7). 

Thanks to the race committee for making the most of the challenging weather: PRO: Gavin Blake, LRTaR: Murray Stone, COTD: Thomas Beregi, CCO/CoCOTD: Kim Ketelbey, and Canteen Assistants Craig Sheers and James Tudball. 

Stormy Saturday Sky. Photo by Andrew Cox.

Race Briefings on Instagram

If you're launching from somewhere else on the harbour, you can watch the race briefings live on Instagram at 1:00pm every Saturday. 

Here's how:

1. Open the Instagram app from your phone

2. Follow doublebaysailingclub if you haven't already done so

3. When we are live, our profile picture will appear at the top of the screen with a colorful ring around it and the word "Live"

4. Click on the picture to watch the live stream 

Troubleshooting:

1. If you don't see our picture at the top of your screen, then click on the magnifying glass at the bottom of the screen and search for doublebaysailingclub to bring up our profile page

2. If you missed the live feed, you can watch the briefing anytime by selecting the IGTV (Instagram TV) icon in the middle of the screen

Competency Training – 28 Nov

As part of our ongoing focus on safety and quality of racing, we are again conducting competency training this year for all our members on Saturday 28 November at 9am. This is mandatory annual training that impacts rack allocation. Please make every effort to attend unless you have a very good reason. If you are unable, please email the Commodore.

State Open Champs – Sign Up Now

Interested in attending the NSW & ACT Open State Championships at Belmont 16s on 5-6 December? Please sign up HERE if you have not done so already. Accommodation is available at Squid’s Ink in Belmont. Rod Barnes will coordinate transport.

Boat Licence Course

It’s our goal to have all members obtain a boat licence. If you don’t have a boat licence and are interested in attending a course to get one, please let Mark Crowhurst know by emailing him HERE. Club members will pay just half price with the rest subsidized by the club. Family and friends also welcome to join at full price. Exact costs are still to be determined, but should be around $125 for members. 

Membership Subscriptions Overdue

Membership fees are now overdue.  If you haven’t paid you will receive a follow-up email reminder. Prompt attention to this notice is appreciated. If you are having difficulties paying, please speak to the Commodore to work out arrangements.

On Site Laser Repairs

Looking for a quick boat repair?  James Tudball recommends freelancer Dan Hay: djhay6163@hotmail.com. He will come to the club and will aim to repair things within 48 hours. 

60 Seconds With John Verco…

It was great to welcome John back this season after a few years hiatus, read on to learn a bit about this DBSC veteran:

1. How old were you when you first stepped on a boat?
About 3 on my Father’s St George class yacht moored at the South Australian Yacht Squadron. 

2. If money (& sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy?
The thrill of Laser sailing, the camaraderie  of other club members... no need to look elsewhere.

3. What is your sailing goal? 
After a hiatus of three seasons and now coming back to be competitive and enjoy the sailing. 

4. Tell us the back story to your laser's name? 
Well my old Laser, Pirate is still in the shed so I decided if I managed to sail well, it would feel like MAGIC 

5. If you could add any ingredient to our already world’s best toasties – what would it be?
I met a guy in Edinburgh in Scotland, 2018 and amongst other things sailing came up. He had visited DBSC and sampled Paul’s Toasties. It seems they have now gone international, no need to add anything, Paul. 

6. What are your second/ third favourite hobbies (obviously sailing holds the #1 spot)?
Second is golf and third is keeping myself in good physical health. 

7. Describe what you do for work in less than 5 words?
Activist (early retiree) but with a large interest in international financial markets / finance. 

8. What’s the first international flight you are going to book post Covid-19? And why?
My wife and I had a cruise booked from Budapest to Amsterdam then a short cruise around the Greek Islands. Given both cruise lines are holding our dollars in credit we need to take a flight to Prague to connect with our river cruise when allowed.

9. What’s your favourite TV show, movie, and or book?
Enjoy SBS On Demand as we like the European movies / tv series. Wide interest in books and authors. Currently reading From Snow to Ash by Anthony Sharwood. 

10. Tell us something interesting about yourself that members of the club don’t know?
I spent most of career working internationally - London, Hong Kong, Taipei, Tokyo and Seoul, and also had the opportunity to work in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

Picture of John Verco’s first dingy, aged 10.

Coming Up…

Wednesday, 4 November, 5pm Splash – Twilight Sprints

Saturday, 7 November, 9am – Learn to Race

Saturday, 7 November, 2pm Start – Club Champs heats 5 & 6

Wednesday, 11 November, 5pm Splash – Twilight Sprints

Saturday, 14 November, 2pm Start – Spring Point Score heats 9 & 10

Twilights Tonight

Last week a challengingly fresh N/NE gradient with an outgoing tide made for a great evening to practice starting techniques under the watchful eye of Coach Beyer. We’re back at it again tonight, with a 5pm splash. Hope you can make it.