States at Belmont – Register NOW as Spaces are Limited

Get your applications in for the State Open Champs – limited numbers and no beach entries accepted. If you are planning on going make sure you’ve let Rod Barnes know HERE (so he can help coordinate transportation) and register now. Here’s the info from the NSW & ACT Laser Association: 

NB Sailsports State Championship Belmont 16s 5 - 6th December
The States at Belmont 16s are being sponsored by NB Sailsports. Rob McMillan has donated a Laser sail with the winner to be drawn at the presentation.

The Notice of Race for the States is HERE.

We will have some new land arrangements for the States as part of our COVID Plan. Due to the club's COVID safe requirements this event will be limited to 120 entries and no beach entries will be accepted. We average around 100 entries for our States so the 120 limit may not be reached. If it is then entries will be closed so best to place your entry now online HERE. You can see who has entered HERE.

60 Seconds With Geoff Boscoe…

1. How old were you when you first stepped on a boat?
Aged 8 in a Manly Junior called Good Times (see photo).  We sailed out of Mosman Sailing Club.  I was the crew and had no idea what I was doing (mostly still don't!) and neither did the skipper. I don't think we even finished a race that first season and things did not improve much from there

2. If money (& sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy?
I'd be happy with Andrew Cox's most recently traded-in Laser, plus a tender for it from Perini Navi

3. What is your sailing goal?
To get a ground floor rack position at DBSC

4. Tell us the back story to your laser's name?
Think Big was a statement of intent.  Unfortunately the actions have not lived up to the intent

5. If you could add any ingredient to our already world’s best toasties – what would it be?
I'm missing them just as they were.  Hot chips on the side would take them to the next level

6. What are your second/ third favourite hobbies (obviously assuming sailing holds the #1 spot).
Other activities starting with S, namely Skiing, Surfing, Skydiving

7. Describe what you do for work in less than 5 words?
Headhunter

8. What’s the first international flight you are going to book post Covid-19? And why?
I would like to visit Japan with my wife (Dawn) to celebrate our upcoming milestone wedding anniversary

9. What’s your favourite TV show, movie, and or book?
My favourite book is usually the one I am reading - right now it's a biography of Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson

10. Tell us something interesting about yourself that members of the club don’t know?
It's my 25-year wedding anniversary in December

Coming Up…

Wednesday, 18 November, 5pm Splash – Twilight Sprints

Saturday, 21 November, 9am – Learn to Race

Saturday, 21 November, 2pm Start – Spring Point Score heats 11 & 12

Wednesday, 25 November, 5pm Splash – Twilight Sprints

Saturday, 28 November, 9am – Mandatory Competency Training 

Saturday, 28 November, 2pm Start – Club Champs heats 7 & 8 and Spring Point Score heats 13 & 14

Race Report

It was another big wind day on the harbour for heats 5 and 6 of the Club Championships. With gusts above 25 knots, the Southerly created challenging and shifty conditions for the fleet which included two Olympic-standard sailors: Mara Stransky (the Australian Olympic selection for Tokyo) and Paige Caldecoat, NSW Institute of Sport scholarship holder. Also, a big welcome back to Daniel Costandi, with the HSC behind him, he’s now sure to go even faster. 

The hardy winners of the day were: Standards Geoff Kirk (heat 5) and Luke Parker (heat 6); Radials Andrew Cox (heat 5) and Gavin Blake (heat 6).

Thanks to the race volunteers who helped in the wild winds — Mike Forbes (PRO), Victoria Whitby (LTRaR), Scott Hunter (COTD), James Johnson (CCO/CO-COTD) and Geoff Boscoe and Tim Heath who helped Paul and Shirley with canteen orders. 

Twilight Tangle

Last week the twilight fleet had an exhilarating night practicing jibes in 20 knot plus winds with Brett Beyer. It was a great way to get race ready for the big winds on Saturday. It’s looking like another sunny 20 knot NEer tonight. Join us for the fun. Splash at 5, training at 5:30pm. Unfortunately some of the yachts that were sailing alongside of us last week didn’t have as good of a day. Check out this photo Brett took on his way back from training. 

Lost Property Overload

Missing your boots or hat? They might just be hiding in the enormous pile of lost property that is sitting in the vestibule to the women’s change room. Please check out the pile and claim any of your items. Everything will be disposed of before end November and on a rolling weekly basis thereafter. Thanks for doing your part to keep our club tidy.  

Pick up your lost property.

Competency Training Reminder

Don’t forget that our annual mandatory competency training is coming up on Saturday 28 November at 9am. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone there. If prior commitments prevent your attendance, please email Andrew Cox HERE.

60 Seconds with Rod Barnes

With the US elections finally behind us (hopefully), we thought it would be appropriate to spend some time with a relative of George Washington, our very own Rod Barnes… 

1. How old were you when you first stepped on a boat?
I would have been six or seven.  I grew up near Georges River SC and sailed there for most of my youth. I started in Sabots then progressed to Flying Ants and Cherubs.  All my siblings sailed and my father built all our boats which was fantastic. Sailed against Luke Parker and the Faddy Brothers who are great Laser sailors.

2. If money (& sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy? 
I like the idea of sailing a Lagoon 65 Catamaran around the Mediterranean.  In the off season of course.

3. What is your sailing goal? 
I love the sound of the warning signal. It means I’m out there competing and it’s game on.  I’ve really enjoyed going to a couple of World Master’s events so my goal would be to compete at as a many as possible and hopefully improve.

4. Tell us the back story to your laser's name “Barnstormer”?
Just a play on my last name.  I had another boat called Hotrod when I was young.

5. If you could add any ingredient to our already world’s best toasties – what would it be?
A touch more salt.  I’m cramping up more as I get older.

6. What are your second/ third favourite hobbies (obviously assuming sailing holds the #1 spot)
Anything with water.  Fishing, windsurfing, surfing.  Other than that, golf and snowboarding.

7. Describe what you do for work in less than 5 words?
Run a commercial construction company.

8. What’s the first international flight you are going to book post Covid-19? And why?
Barcelona, Sept 2021.  Laser Master Worlds.  I haven’t been to Barcelona yet and that sounds like a good reason to go. 

9. What’s your favourite TV show, movie, and or book?
Seinfeld again. Captain Fantastic.  Tim Winton’s book, Breath.  

10. Tell us something interesting about yourself that members of the club don’t know?
I’m related to George Washington.

Coming Up…

Wednesday, 11 November, 5pm Splash – Twilight Sprints

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

Wednesday, 18 November, 5pm Splash – Twilight Sprints

Saturday, 21 November, 9am – Learn to Race

Saturday, 21 November, 2pm Start – Spring Point Score heats 11 & 12

Twilights Tonight

A sunny 20 knot NEer is predicted for this afternoon. Perfect training weather for our Twilight Sailing. Brett will be starting his session at 5:30pm. Hope to see you there.