An event not to be missed!

The ILCA Laser 50th birthday bash will be going ahead this weekend, regardless of weather (subject to safety, of course)! Thank you to those who have registered – we appreciate your commitment to get up early and be there on the day.

There are great prizes to be won including the gold hull upgrade sponsored by PSA sailing and some new sails sponsored by NB Sailsports. Remember, you have to be in it (a.k.a. registered and sailing) to win it! 

If you have not registered, it is not too late to join us.

We will have a professional film crew, including drone and photographers covering the event. We are also asking participants to capture further awesome footage of the day. If you have a GoPro (or similar) that is 4K capable, can you please attach it to your boat and film the event with a view to sending a 2 minute cut of your footage to Diana after the event for inclusion in the final media edit?

Don’t forget, there will be a BBQ and prize draw at DBSC after sailing at 1pm.  Rob Mundle OAM, who introduced the Laser class to Australia in 1971, will be a guest-of-honour on the start boat and will be saying a few words back at the club before drawing the prizes.

Rain, hail or shine this is going to be an awesome, once in a lifetime event! A lot has been invested into ensuring this is a successful event. We are asking our membership to demonstrate support and commitment to this event. We look forward to seeing you on the day.

Lasers wanted

Rob at NB Sailsports is looking to purchase older lasers - sail/hull numbers 190000 - 205000. If you have an older laser for sale please call Rob on 0405 177 207.

60 seconds with Matt Wenke

How old were you when you first stepped on a boat?
The mighty International Cadet at the age of 8

If money (and sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy?
Hugo Boss if it’s still for sale.

What is your ultimate sailing goal?
Beat Luke in ANY regatta.

Tell us the story behind the name of your Laser?
N of 1 - a bit like the way I sail. A trial in which random allocation can be used to determine the order in experiments with 1 subject.

If you could add any ingredient to DBSC's world’s best toasties – what would it be?
Leave as is. As a carnivore I have to pass.

What are your second/third favourite hobbies (assuming sailing is #1)?
I asked Lisa, my partner for help. Neither she nor I could think of anything else.

Describe what you do for work in less than five words?
Take Offs / Landings = 1

What is the first international destination you will travel to (once we're allowed) and why?
Anywhere where I don’t have to do anymore Quarantine.

What is your favourite TV show, movie, and/or book?
Wild Health Podcast.

Tell us something interesting about yourself that members of the club don’t know?
Not sure I should admit it this fact but in 1988 I owned the 1st Subway store in Australia.

Matt at the Sydney to Hobart finish with the late Andrew Short

Coming up next...

Sunday 20 June - ILCA 50th birthday bash!

9-12 July 2021- South Pacific Laser Masters, Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron (QLD)

Sunday 18 July - Winter Series

Sunday 25 July - Winter Series (final)

Saturday 7 August - Winter Sprint Series

Saturday 14 August - Winter Sprint Series

Saturday 21 August - Winter Sprint Series

Saturday 28 August - Working Bee and Winter Sprint Series

Sunday 29 August - Powerboat Handling Course with Australian Sailing

The club calendar can be viewed (and subscribed to) here.

Race Report 6 June 2021

The first Sunday of winter 2021. Photo credit: Kate McHugh

Those that braved the early morning chill were rewarded with a reliable south westerly morning breeze.

In the full rig championship, races were won by David Newman, then Nick Alexander, then David Newman again, while the pointscore were won by Gerry Donohoe (twice) and Ash Deacon taking the third race.

In the radial championship, the first two races were won by new dad James Tudball, with Andrew Cox taking out the third race, while in the pointscore, Pia Hattersley had two wins and Andrew Cox won the third.

Many thanks to the race committee led by PRO Alistair Sutherland supported by Andrew Craker, Jack Sywak and Quinn Pierson. Soup of the day courtesy of Paul was tomato and capsicum.

Photo credit: Alistair Sutherland

TL;DR (too long; didn't read)

There has been a lot on at the club lately and perhaps you haven’t read all of the pithy, funny, engaging newsletters that are lovingly written each week. Here’s a recap:

The ILCA Laser 50th birthday bash has been postponed to 20 June. Awesome prizes. Details here.

The club is running a powerboat handling course – a great refresher and a pathway for a license for those that don’t have one. $110 for members; $220 for friends and family. Register here.

Simon has a boat for sale.

Chris Costandi is looking for a boat that is newer than Simon’s. 

60 seconds with Kirk Marcolina

From the man who initially started publishing this segment…

1. How old were you when you first stepped on a boat?
I was 5, and learned to sail on a converted wooden duck hunting boat called a Sneakbox. It was a fleet type unique to our club which was situated on an island off the coast of New Jersey. The dinghies were one or two person boats, that were super heavy. If you flipped, it was over, as the boats quickly filled up with water and you had to be towed back to the dock. Hence my continued aversion to flipping to this day!

2. If money (and sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy?
My laser and Smitten are perfect for now.

3. What is your ultimate sailing goal?
To win a Pointscore series.

4. Tell us the story behind the name of your Laser?
Zoomer. When I joined DBSC my daughter was 5 and I told her that she could name my boat. She said Zoom, because you want to go fast. When I purchased a new boat this year, her upgraded idea for a name was Zoomer. The name of my sailboat growing up was the USS Enterprise. The Captain Kirk jokes got old very fast.

5. If you could add any ingredient to DBSC's world’s best toasties – what would it be?
Bacon and mayo. Need some artery clogging before I exercise.

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

7. Describe what you do for work in less than five words?
Teach and make documentaries.

8. What is the first international destination you will travel to (once we're allowed) and why?
USA to visit family.

9. What is your favourite TV show, movie, and/or book?
Schitt's Creek. Love how much a TV show can make me laugh in 20 minutes.

10. Tell us something interesting about yourself that members of the club don’t know?
I was mugged and had a loaded gun pointed at my head while walking home to my apartment in Philadelphia in 1992. The police arrived a few minutes later, threw me in the back of the police car and chased the bad guys though the city. A few minutes later they surrounded the perpetrators and had me ID them on the street. Scariest moment of my life. I can not understand the lack of gun regulation in America. Just one of many reasons I’m happy I live here now.

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Unless we get more submissions, this will be our last of this series…

Coming up next...

Sunday 13 June - Winter Series

Sunday 20 June - ILCA 50th birthday bash!

9-12 July 2021- South Pacific Laser Masters, Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron (QLD)

Sunday 18 July - Winter Series

Sunday 25 July - Winter Series (final)

Oh, what a night!

After a year in hiatus, the DBSC AGP returned on Friday with a bang. If there is a better, more fun, more friendly, or more entertaining sailing club presentation, meeting and party on Sydney harbour, we want to know about it (and receive an invite)!

The front end of the night was the more formal end of affairs with our gracious and entertaining Commodore leading us through proceedings, welcoming all members, and acknowledging the fantastic community we have achieved regardless of how long we each have been at the club. Safety and training, member engagement and improvement to facilities have been a focus of the committee this year to create an inclusive and social environment that generates large and competitive racing fleets.

Following the prizegiving, the club’s officers were returned without any alternative nominations.

After the formal part of the night, members enjoyed our open Laser bar (literally a Laser for those who have never been), pies from Broomfield’s and dancing with The White Tree Band. Who knew we had so many movers and shakers roaming our shed on the water?

Life Member

This year we added another life membership to the club’s ranks – John Vasey. 

John has been a member of the club for over 20 years and has been a consistent and significant contributor during this time.

Each week he takes care of refueling our on-water support boats and most weeks provides the rescue boat service on Sunday for the 18s. He uses his network of contacts to assist with lighting and staging for our functions, while his paintings decorate our walls. On top of all this he is frequently at the club doing care and maintenance tasks.

John is a gracious and generous member of the club and we sincerely appreciate his efforts for all he does.

Life Member John Vasey. Photo credit: Peter Collie