Race Report – Sprints – Sat 6 March

13 boats took to the water in a moderate southerly for 6 sprint races at exactly 2:00pm until 4:00pm. The Radials and Standards raced together with Geoff Kirk leading the way. Most of us thought it was the right decision to stay to the east of the bridge for some practice in a shifty breeze. Highlights of the day were dodging yachts using Clark Island as a mark rounding in the Sydney Harbour Regatta, and crossing paths with the 18 Footers in the JJ Giltinan Championship race. Check out all the action from the 18 Footers TV where our little Laser fleet make a cameo appearance [HERE].

Thanks to Daryl Lawrence, Nick Pellow, Jack Sywak for running the races; Paul Adam, Shirley Roach, Christine Patton, Bonnie Nixon, and Gavin Blake for feeding us.

Photo: Nicholas Pellow

Clean Up Australia Day

Thanks to all the volunteers that came in early to help clean up the beaches around the club, and Kate McHugh for organising the day. Despite it being a southerly, which usually means a cleaner bay, there was still plenty of rubbish around – most of which would have been detrimental to marine life.

Photo: Steven London

Wanted: Laser Dollies

Looking for a couple used Laser dollies – preferably the “stackable” design but any sort will do. Required ASAP. Contact Brett Beyer 0414 299 317.

Volunteer RIB Driver for 18 Footers

We’re looking for a volunteer to drive a RIB this Thursday (11 March) in the 18 Footers JJ Giltinan Championship race. You are required from 1:00pm - 5:00pm to support their on-water team with rescues etc. Please email Andrew Cox if you are able to help.

History Corner

Racking facilities for the 1983/84 season facilitated the storage of 14 Herons, 14 Leaders, 15 Manly Juniors and 14 Lasers – a total of 57 boats. By 1985/86 there were 15 spots allocated to Lasers and 20 in 1990/91. Weekly utilisation in all classes ran at around 65%. Currently the club houses 85 Lasers.

60 Seconds with Jack Sywak

1. How old were you when you first stepped on a boat? 12

2. If money (and sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy? Farr V.O.60!

3. What is your ultimate sailing goal? Just always to be fit enough to sail to a ripe old age and to continue to have fun on the water.

4. Tell us the story behind the name of your Laser? Vangtidy comes from the English expression ‘Bang tidy’ which means sexy or attractive. Like me and my boat :)

5. If you could add any ingredient to DBSC's world’s best toasties – what would it be? Caramelised onions.

6. What are your second/third favourite hobbies (assuming sailing is #1)? Skiing and golf.

7. Describe what you do for work in less than five words? Make cocktails.

8. What is the first international destination you will travel to (once we're allowed) and why? Japan for the powder snow.

9. What is your favourite TV show, movie, and/or book? Peep Show, Goodfellas.

10. Tell us something interesting about yourself that members of the club don’t know? Every now and again I like to play poker tournaments and I’ve won quite a few.

Coming Up

Friday 5 Mar to Sunday 14 Mar - 18 Footers JJ Giltinan Championship at DBSC

Wednesday 10 Mar - Twilight Sprints, Brett Beyer Twilight Program 7/10

Saturday 13 Mar - Autumn Point Score 9 & 10

Wednesday 17 Mar - Twilight Sprints, Brett Beyer Twilight Program 8/10

Saturday 20 Mar - Autumn Point Score 11 & 12

Action-packed Weekend

The following activities will be happening around the clubhouse this weekend:

Saturday 6 March

8:30am  DBSC’s Clean-up Australia Day (low tide)

9:00am  Learn To Race

12:00pm  Competitors depart for Laser Metropolitan Championship Day 1 at HHSC

2:00pm  DBSC Sprints

All day - 18 Footers JJ Giltinan Trophy

Sunday 7 March

9:30am  Competitors depart for Laser Metropolitan Championship Day 2 at HHSC

All day - 18 Footers JJ Giltinan Trophy

We will be sharing the park with the 18 Footers on both days, so allow additional time for rigging and launching. Ensure you give way to the 18 Footers as their boats are a lot more difficult to manoeuvre than Lasers.

Metros - this weekend

The NSW/ACT Laser Metropolitan Championship will be held this weekend at Hunters Hill Sailing Club, on the other side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The forecast on Saturday is for a moderate southerly so it’ll be a quick blast straight out of the bay, then a nice reach all the way to the start line. A tow is also available for those who want to preserve their energy. The breeze will be much lighter on Sunday so most of us will be catching a ride. If you haven’t already done so, enter online via the link below and email Rod Barnes to let him know that you’ll be attending. Departure from DBSC is 12:00pm on Saturday and 9:45am on Sunday.

The Notice of Race, Online Entry, Sailing Instructions, Venue Information & Logistics, Electronic Sign On/Off, and Results are all available via the NSW/ACT Laser Association website and Australian Laser App [HERE].

HHSC is a great club with a large rigging area. It has one of the best vantage points for watching the racing at Clarkes Point. There is a canteen at the club and the Deckhouse at Woolwich Dock and Woolwich Pier Hotel are nearby for more substantial fare. Two of the HHSC sponsors www.boatropes.com.au and www.boatcrewgear.com will have pop up stores at the club on Saturday.

Race Report – Sat 27 February

A light wind day with the threat of rain only allowed one Club Championship race to be completed. Winners of the day were Sylvie Stannage in the Radial and Nick Alexander in the Standard fleets. We were once again joined by the Australian Sailing Team / Australian Sailing Squad exhibiting their skill in the light breeze and some impressive roll tacks.

Thanks to the volunteers Michael Osborne, Kate McHugh, John Conroy, and Derek Hand on the water; Paul Adam, Shirley Roach, Mark Gray, Diana Chen, and Steve London in the Canteen.

Important pre-race discussions