What's Going On

Club Look-ahead Schedule

• Saturday 24 January: Sprint Racing (Australia Day weekend): 1pm splash

• Thursday 29 January: Twilight Racing: 5pm splash

• Saturday 31 January: Club Championships Races 9 & 10:

  • 2 pm warning

  • BBQ after racing

• Tuesday 3 February: Masters Training at DBSC (Subscribers Only)

• Thursday 5 February: Twilight Racing: 5pm splash

• Saturday 7 February: Sprint Racing (Australian Masters): 1pm splash

Other Upcoming Events

• ILCA Australian Masters Championships 2026, 6-9 February 2026 at Bay Sailing Centre Soldiers Point, Port Stephens NSW

  • Notice of Race

  • Entry

  • For help with accommodation and logistics, please contact Dave Newman

---

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 - Saturday 10 January 2026

All photos by Scott Hunter

Autumn Point Score Races 1 & 2

The forecast was going to be hot, nudging high 30’s degrees and wind forecast gusting out of the WNW before the late NE’s that had been in all week at 20 plus knots. We received considered safety briefings from Rod Barnes and David Murphy.

We also welcomed back long-standing members Christine and Tim Patton who are visiting Sydney from Bermuda and assisted with both race management and in the canteen. Additionally, the 12 ft Skiff were racing the final heat of their Inter Dominion’s.

We set up for a WNW course with the shifts up to 30 degrees. In Race 1 the ILCA 6s got away quickly but was tough sailing in the heat and the breeze was moderating quickly with a tough backwash off the Potts Point wall impacting the bottom mark. It started to drop off quickly for the ILCA 7s. Race 2 provided a few more challenges as the breeze fell apart before we shortened the course and set for the club for ice cream and beer.

Results

Thank you from RO/Race Management Team & Shore Team: Grant Lovelady, Christine Patton, Scott Hunter, Quinn Sloan, Scott Finlayson
- Grant Lovelady, PRO

What's Going On

Club Look-ahead Schedule

• Saturday 10 January: Autumn Point Score Races 1 & 2: 2pm warning

• Saturday 17 January: Autumn Point Score Races 3 & 4: 2pm warning

• Saturday 24 January: Sprint Racing (Australia Day weekend): 1pm splash

• Thursday 29 January: Twilight Racing: 5pm splash

• Saturday 31 January: Club Championships Races 9 & 10:

  • 2 pm warning

  • BBQ after racing

Other Upcoming Events

• ILCA Australian Masters Championships 2026, 6-9 February 2026 at Bay Sailing Centre Soldiers Point, Port Stephens NSW

  • Notice of Race

  • Entry

  • For help with accommodation and logistics, please contact Dave Newman

---

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 - Saturday 3 January 2026

All photos by Roberto Blum

Sprint Racing - 2026 kicks off with a bang!

On Saturday 3rd Jan we commenced our racing for the year, with a cranking 20+ knot nor'easter.  Where were you Pat Levy?! With the Nationals currently underway down in Hobart, we ran our popular sprints format.

The race management team of James Tudball, Yves Stenning, Rob Blum and Alban Delpey arrived to a flurry of activity at the club, as both the Cherub and 12ft Skiff Nationals are currently taking place at DBSC.  After a chat with their race team, we settled on a course deep in Double Bay for our Laser members, to ensure all fleets could peacefully coexist. 

20 x Lasers headed out to enjoy the champagne sailing conditions.  We even had an outgoing tide against the nor'easter, so there were some tasty waves to enjoy downwind.  As we started to churn through the races, we realised that the Radial fleet were looking a bit lethargic on the starting line.  Perhaps one too many champagnes on New Years Eve?  On every start the Radials were 1+ boat lengths behind the line.  On the other hand, the Standards were bang on every race - well played gents.

The racing was dominated by Geoff Kirk in the Radials.  He notched up at least 4 wins., though Martin White got the bullet in the last race.  In the Standards we had Barnesy enjoying a few wins, and a win each to Murray Stone and Connor Kellett. A shout out to Diana Chen who battled the conditions very nicely in the 4.7.

Out on the course we also had two guest sailors.  Shirley and Ross from Dún Laoghaire in Ireland used club boats to enjoy the great wind... and our warm water!  Shirley and Ross demonstrated some pretty handy skills and I hear they're considering a trip extension in order to race at the Masters at Port Stephens in Feb!  Shirley's daughter, Louise, also assisted us on the starting RIB - thank you, Louise!

Two other thanks...

1. Luke Parker for the loan of his RIB.  We also had a bit of fun getting off and on the floating dock at Double Bay Marina.  As Luke instructed us on the phone: 'Just drop the motor in, and GIVE IT HERBS!'  

2. Shirley Roach, Paul Adam and John Vasey.  I can see the club has been hectic over the New Year Period with the Cherubs and 12-foot skiff regattas.  These guys are doing a great job at facilitating their racing (on and off the water).  Hosting these two classes is important for our relationship with the 18-footers, so thanks Shirley, Paul and John for all of your hard work.

- James Tudball, PRO

Thursday Twilight Racing Returns 29 January 2026

On Thursday 29 January we will recommence Thursday Twilight Racing with on-water coaching support. The coaching and race management will be undertaken by one of our Reach coaches.

• We will aim for our usual splash of 5PM. The coach and course will be ready for racing by 5:30PM

• The course will be typically windward - leeward (like our sprint racing), however the coach may communicate variations out on the water...to keep us on our toes.

• Racing will run until sundown (approx 7:30PM).

• Regular Thursday night dinner and drinks at The Oak following sailing, for anyone who fancies a social outing.

The Cost is $135 per sailor for the 9 week program (inc. merchant fees). This covers the overhead of paying the coach each week to set the course and provide the coaching (dinner not included).

Proposed Dates:
29 January
5, 12, 19, 26 February
5, 12, 19, 26 March

We hope that Members who plan to race regularly on Thursdays will support the program by signing up.
(Members who sail occasionally are still very welcome to join us for Thursday Racing free of charge.)

Members wishing to sign-up for the Thursday on water coaching please click the button bleow:

What's Going On

Club Look-ahead Schedule

• Saturday 10 January: Autumn Point Score Races 1 & 2: 2pm warning

• Saturday 17 January: Autumn Point Score Races 3 & 4: 2pm warning

• Saturday 24 January: Sprint Racing: 1pm splash

Other Upcoming Events

• ILCA Australian Masters Championships 2026, 6-9 February 2026 at Bay Sailing Centre Soldiers Point, Port Stephens NSW

  • Notice of Race

  • Entry

  • For help with accommodation and logistics, please contact Dave Newman

Note

• 12-ft Skiff Interdominions are continuing through Saturday, 10 January at DBSC

---

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 - Saturday 20 December 2025

Photo by David Da Costa Enes

Spring Point Score 13 & 14

The last day of the Spring Point Score did not disappoint. For those who like cliches, it was champagne sailing. For those who don't, it was perfect Sydney summer weather, just how it used to be when Pat was a young skiffy and a stonking north-easter would give him a smile on his face.

Fortunately, the forecast proved wrong, and the non-committal, east-something-something breeze that was supposed to waft from here-to-there all afternoon did not eventuate. Instead, the dead-calm morning gave way to a solid sea breeze that came in right on schedule and reminded us why our forebears set the start time at 2pm. The race team set a course that proved to be a fraction longer than regulation, allowing sailors to bank that extra little bit of fitness for which everyone will be grateful after the Xmas / New Year break.

Other than a couple of capsizes and a disconnected tiller extension, racing was uneventful. The leading boats in both fleets -- Martin White, Julian Taylor, and Zander Bijkerk -- provided a master class in how it should be done, particularly on the deep bottom reach in Race 1 and the second run in Race 2, with some fluid wave sailing and super-fast boat-speeds.

Race 1 photos by David Da Costa Enes:

Race 2 photos by John Chesterman:

The race team of Andrew Cox, John Chesterman, Kate McHugh, and Dave Da Costa Enes, had the fortunate pleasure of hosting legendary Laser / ILCA sailor and 13-times world-champion, Keith Wilkins, who provided able assistance on the Jazzman. We got the obligatory father-son shots as Jason cruised past in the Golden Fleece. But granddaughter, Isabelle, was sadly MIA after a big night on the tins. 

A pair of Wilkens in action. Photo by Andrew Cox

As Katie observed, there is nothing better than kicking back after racing on the deck of the best not-pub in the world with your not-pub mates on a balmy summer evening. And that's exactly what we did. 

Congratulations to the Spring Point Score winners, David Airey and Patrick Black, who fended off stiff competition from Daryl Lawrence and Hadrien Bourely. 

Have a great Xmas and see you on the other side!

- Andrew Cox, PRO

What's Going On

Club Look-ahead Schedule

• Saturday 27 December: NO CLUB RACING

• Saturday 3 January: Sprint Racing: 1pm splash

• Saturday 10 January: Autumn Point Score Races 1 & 2: 2pm warning

• Saturday 17 January: Autumn Point Score Races 3 & 4: 2pm warning

• Saturday 24 January: Sprint Racing: 1pm splash

Note

Over the Christmas break, please be aware that DBSC’s facilities will be shared with the following events:

• Cherub Nationals: Sunday, 28 December through Sunday, 4 January

• 12-ft Skiff Interdominions: Sunday, 4 January through Saturday, 10 January

---

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.

What's Going On

Club Look-ahead Schedule

• Saturday 20 December: (last races of the year)

  • Spring Point Score Races 13 & 14: 1pm Briefing, 2pm First warning

• Saturday 27 December: NO CLUB RACING

• Saturday 3 January: Sprint Racing: 1pm splash

Other Upcoming Events

• ILCA Australian Masters Championships 2026

  • 6-9 February 2026 at Bay Sailing Centre Soldiers Point, Port Stephens NSW

  • Notice of Race

  • Entry

  • For help with accommodation and logistics, please contact Dave Newman

Note

Over the Christmas break, please be aware that DBSC’s facilities will be shared with the following events:

• Cherub Nationals: Sunday, 28 December through Sunday, 4 January

• 12-ft Skiff Interdominions: Sunday, 4 January through Saturday, 10 January

---

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 - Saturday 6 December 2025

Club Championship Races 7 & 8

Hot and Hazy weather over Sydney in the morning, the race team set out early with an ominous “north-west to north” forecast - it was light - but there was a small chance it was warming up for a nor-easter. So after the briefing, and after a slow journey out of the bay, 45 sailors were disappointed to find the wind had dropped further to about 2-3 knots from the east (on Martin’s wind instruments) and so the AP flag went up, we reduced the course size, and prayed for some good news from our friends up the Harbour off Vaucluse who were in the same dilemma and chatting on the VHF.

When we got word that the wind was building in Watsons Bay (and with our instruments now showing NNE and building), we made preparations to start the fleets. And just like that: we were rewarded with a steadily building breeze, and smiles all round from the sailors who set off and enjoyed ideal racing conditions building to 15 knots, and gusting up to 20knots by the end of Race 7. 

It was now time to increase to course size between races to allow for the additional breeze - thankyou RIB Safety Boat team for your swift shifting of the marks and accurate placement.

Race 8 got away with clear starts by both fleets (despite the outgoing tide), and the wind continued to build to 20-25knots and gusting up to 30 by the end. The sailors that persevered were rewarded with speed-way reaches and rollercoaster legs downwind with waves enlarged by the wind against the strong outgoing tide.

Campbell Patton excelled in the conditions (without hiking pads!) to take first place for ILCA 7 in both races, - where in Race 7 he was ahead of Rod Barnes second, and Murray Stone third, - in Race 8 ahead of Luke Parker second, and Rod Barnes third.

Andrew Cox took out first place in both races for ILCA 6 with fierce competition, - in Race 7 where he was battling Sylvie second, and Alistair Sutherland third, - and in Race 8 with a photo-finish win over Martin White second, and Scott Hunter third.

Zac Howell won first place in both races in ILCA 4, with Patrick McLachlan second.

And so with more than half of the Club Championship complete, the current leaders are:
ILCA 7 - Campbell Patton, Rodney Barnes, Hadrien Bourely
ILCA 6 - Andrew Cox, Martin White, David Airey
ILCA 4 - Zac Howell, Patrick McLachlan

Well done to all the sailors who survived the gusty conditions - some with bruises and some with breakages!
Thankyou to the Race Officers: Martin Gill and Gaye Rosen who organsed the starts with such precision assisted by your favourite commodore, yours truly on the Jazzman, and with Tim Heath & Van Allen on the Paul Adam 3 RIB, and John Vasey assisting as our second safety boat the Dene Bergman RIB.

On return to the clubhouse weary bodies slowly fired up the barbie (still fighting the wind), and we tucked into some steak and sausages with delicious salads and some of Paul’s special roasted potatoes :- Thankyou Paul Adam and also Shirley Roach for putting on such as feast, and to Jim Dounis on the BBQ and Ian Tudball, Katie and others for the cleanup. Thanks also to the pre-race Toasties Team: Derek Hand and David Newman.