RACE REPORT 14 October 2023

Photo by Quinn Pierson

SPRINT RACING

PRO David Airey reports:

Saturday was another glorious day to be out on Sydney harbour although the conditions were at times challenging for the approximately 25 sailors and race management team. Before the briefing, the buoys were set out for a nice 10 knot Westerly. However, by the time racing got under way at 2pm the wind was dying, and the first sprint race took longer than planned. The marks were moved to shorten the course and Race 2 proceeded smoothly, albeit with big variations in wind speed and direction across the course.

Then, while the crew on the Jazzman were focused on flags and timing for Race 3, it was pointed out the wind was now from the NE. A long delay ensued while the RIB crew picked up the buoys and travelled from Clark Island to Shark Island via Bradleys Head. The sailors that stayed out then enjoyed two more races in the new 8 to 10 knot NE.

A big thank you to the crew of Kirk Marcolina and Tory Epworth on the Bergman who were kept busy picking up and re-laying marks, and to Quinn Pierson for his assistance on the Jazzman. The sailing conditions were challenging but mastered most effectively by Kate McHugh who scored two firsts and a second in the Radials, and by Campbell Paton who had two firsts prior to calling it a day.

Photos by Quinn Pierson

Twilights Continue

Wednesday Sailing

Seven of us took advantage of the building nor’easter to sharpen our skills in some challenging harbour chop. It was hard work (at least it was for me), so hopefully this will prove useful in this Saturday’s Vaucluse Invitational that, at press time, is forecast to be 18 kts from the northeast!

- Chris Tatt.

Thursday Racing

Eleven sailors had smiles last Thursday, as the wind freshened to a steady 20 knot Nor-easter. Paige Caldecott and James Tudball set a short windward leeward course (with the RIB then sometimes as the wing mark). It gusted up to 28 for a little while, and so some of us felt the need to go for a quick swim (including several swims from yours truly) - whilst visiting laser sailor Will Sargent, and local Campbell Patton showed us how to handle the laser with style in heavy wind.

-Steven London

Photo by John Vasey

Members wishing to sign-up for the Thursday on water coaching please click HERE

Are your foils in need of some love?

Many of us focus on our boat maintenance above the water, but when was the last time you looked at your rudder and center (dagger) board? Is it dinged? Scratched? Are the leading and trailing edges smooth or rough? Have you got a chip missing out of the back tip?

Your foils are what keeps you going in a (mostly) straight line and pointing to where you want to be.

A new set of foils will cost you upwards of $1,500, and repairing and fairing your board is an often overlooked part of boat maintenance. If you are someone who has overlooked your foils for the last few seasons, you might like to consider outsourcing!

Brett Beyer is now repairing and painting boards for club members. Boards can be patched up, painted (in a colour of your choice) and faired to a near original condition. 

Under the class rules (Part Three 14(c) “Surface refinishing of the centreboard is permitted provided the original shape, thickness and characteristics are not altered.”

For more information and pricing, please contact Brett Beyer on beyersailing@gmail.com or have a chat with him at the club this Saturday!

WHAT'S GOING ON

Wednesday 18-Oct: Twilight Sailing (5PM splash)

Thursday 19-Oct: Twilight Racing (5PM splash)

Saturday 21-Oct:

• Learn to Race - 9am-12pm

• Vaucluse Invitational Regatta at DBSC (2PM first warning flag)

• Brett Beyer Saturday Program

• BBQ after racing at DBSC

Tuesday 24-Oct: Reach Youth Training (16:30 ready)

Wednesday 25-Oct: Twilight Sailing (5PM splash)

Thursday 26-Oct: Twilight Racing (5PM splash)

Saturday 28-Oct:

• DBSC Competency Training (9:30AM) ALL MEMBERS

• Spring Point Score 5 & 6 (2PM warning flag)

• Brett Beyer Saturday Program

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Thank you to the members who are sending through information for the newsletter. If you have content for the newsletter, please email it to newsletter@dbsc.com.au by Monday evening.

View all racing results here.
The club’s calendar can be viewed and subscribed to here.
Make a tax deductible donation to DBSC here.

RACE REPORT 8 October 2023

Photo by Thomas Beregi

Club Summer Championships - Races 5 & 6

A large fleet of 60 boats, including visitors, was met with 8 to 15 knots shifting between SSW to SSE. A southerly course was laid, with the top mark set well into Double Bay.

The wind seemed to build over the course of the afternoon, gusting up to 18 knots, making for quick racing and allowing for plenty of time to enjoy the Championship BBQ.

Both fleets showed some exuberance at the start of the first race, but this was promptly subdued with the appearance of the black flag.

There were lots of tight battles right across the fleets in both races. While Murray narrowly won out in his tussle with Max, it was Max who looked happier as he congratulated a waterlogged Murray climbing onto his centreboard just beyond the finish line.

Winners:

Race 5:

ILCA 4 (4.7): Miles Greenwood

ILCA 6 (Radial): Paige Caldecoat

ILCA 7 Standard: Campbell Patton

Race 6:

ILCA 4 (4.7): Miles Greenwood

ILCA 6 (Radial): Sylvie Stannage

ILCA 7 Standard: Campbell Patton

Photos by Thomas Beregi

Thursday Twilights - Wild Westerly

Ten keen sailors ventured out for our first Thursday Twilight Race of the season. The wind was gusty and shifty, and provided plenty of opportunity to dust of the cobwebs and build fitness for the season ahead. We virtually had the Harbour to ourselves - what a spectacular sunset!
Thankyou to our coach Brooke Wilson and James Tudball. Members wishing to sign-up for the Thursday on water coaching please click HERE

Mini Club Clean-up - This Saturday

We are so excited that the club is full of regular racing members this season. As there are more sailors using the club, as well as the 18-Footers and club hires, we ask all members to try and keep the club tidy at all times. Please store all personal belongings with your boat or take them home with you each week. This includes the change rooms, shared spaces, and all nooks and crannies. 

This Saturday (14 October) we will be doing a mini spring clean before racing. This means any clothing, sails, spars etc. left lying around will be deemed lost property and dealt with accordingly. We appreciate your assistance on this and hope that you can treat the club as your own home, for the enjoyment of all other members.

ILCA Masters Worlds Training

For those DNSC members going to Adelaide early Feb 2024 for the Laser Masters Worlds (and also those who are not), a number of DBSC Master members who are going to the Adelaide LMW, plus other sailors from overseas (ITA FRA GBR & USA to date), have expressed interest in training out of DBSC beforehand.

Mark Bethwaite has offered to run sprint races on the afternoons of Sun 28, Mon 29, Tues 30, and Wed 31 Jan.  Overseas Masters may also join our racing on Sat 27 Jan, subject to boats being available.

Photo courtesy of NSW ACT Laser Association

 Actions:

• Would those interested in joining this pre-LMW training, please email rodbarnes@dbsc.com.au 

• Would those interested in chartering their hull, spars and foils to overseas Masters for AUD50 per day, also please email rodbarnes@dbsc.com.au. Please also indicate if your boat is available for charter Sat 27 Jan.

Mark has offered to: 

• Allocate boats between DBSC charterers and overseas visitors

• Run sprint racing - 3pm through 5.30pm Sun 28 through Wed 31 Jan

• Ensure boats are returned in original condition to owners.

Mark will need a couple of volunteers, one to join him on the Adam and another to drive the Bergman for mark laying and safety requirements.  Please email rodbarnes@dbsc.com.au if you are available.

Looking forward to a few days of intensive training to sharpen our skills prior to Adelaide.

Competency Training Day - 28 October 2023

As part of our ongoing focus on safety and quality of racing, we are again conducting competency training this year for all our members. No matter how competent you think you are; you will learn something important from this training – so please come along. 
We are asking all members please to block out the morning of Saturday, 28 October, and plan to be at the club at 9:30am.

Topics that will be covered are:

1. ·Incident management plan, First aid, CPR, defibrillator.

2. How to use and look after our Club Gear (Davits, RIBs, Jazzman, Buoys and Anchors)

3. Race Management - PRO and COTD instructions and course laying

The course will be taught by fellow members – David Murphy, Pat Levy, and Andrew Cox.
This is important, so please come and support this critical initiative for the club.

WHAT'S GOING ON

Wednesday 11-Oct: Twilight Sailing (5PM splash)

Thursday 12-Oct: Twilight Racing (5PM splash)

Saturday 14-Oct:

• Mini clean-up of the club (noon to 1PM)

• Sprints (2PM start)

Saturday & Sunday 14 & 15-Oct: NSW & ACT Coast Champs @ Gosford SC

Tuesday 17-Oct: Reach Youth Training (16:30 ready)

Wednesday 18-Oct: Twilight Sailing (5PM splash)

Thursday 19-Oct: Twilight Racing (5PM splash)

Saturday 21-Oct:

• Vaucluse Invitational Regatta at DBSC (2PM first warning flag)

• Brett Beyer Saturday Program

• BBQ after racing

Saturday 28-Oct:

• DBSC Competency Training (9:30AM)

• Spring Point Score 5 & 6 (2PM warning flag)

• Brett Beyer Saturday Program

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Thank you to the members who are sending through information for the newsletter. If you have content for the newsletter, please email it to newsletter@dbsc.com.au by Monday evening.

View all racing results here.
The club’s calendar can be viewed and subscribed to here.
Make a tax deductible donation to DBSC here.