RACE REPORT - SATURDAY 3 August 2024

Winter Sprint Racing

Photos by James Tudball

By Miles Greenwood and James Tudball

On Saturday we had another instalment of our Youth Volunteer Days, where a team of our youth members are tasked with managing the onshore and on-water duties. We had Miles Greenwood (PRO), James Gosling and Jasper Kinsman (Co-PRO) and Felix Feng helping out in the kitchen.  The team was assisted by adult members James Tudball, Ian Tudball and Miles' father, Mark Greenwood.

The weather on the day aptly reflected our official transition from morning winter racing to warmer afternoon sailing!  When we arrived at the club at 10am we observed a typical "winter westerly" of about 10 knots.  But with the temperature increasing quickly on land, the westerly breeze began to fade. 

When we went out to lay the course at 11am, we monitored the conditions out on the water (matched with the forecast) and made the decision to plan for a light NNE course. Sure enough, the breeze completely fizzled by mid-day.  But after a brief postponement onshore, the wind started to funnel down the harbour from the NNE direction and by 1:45pm we had racing underway!

Five races were held in beautiful 4 - 6 knot sunny conditions, which was enjoyed by all 20 boats who competed (10 x radials and 10 x standards).

Race wins throughout the day went to Sylvie Stannage and Raph McLachlan in the Radials.  And Quentin Burns, John Sweeny, Geoff Kirk and Steve London in the Standards.

A special thankyou is extended to the fleet for some excellent starting behaviour.  Our sprint racing format is a good opportunity to push the boundaries at the start, providing we also respect the recall flags where applicable.  This balance was really well struck by all boats on Saturday. The Standard fleet were also courteous in giving the Radials (who start one minute prior) a clear go at the starting line.  So thank you to everyone for a great day of competitive racing.

WORKING BEE - SATURDAY 24 August

All Members: On Saturday 24 August 8am - 11am (before sailing) we will be holding our annual winter working bee. This annual event takes considerable planning to ensure our club is ready to run smoothly for the summer season.

There are many jobs (something for everyone!) and we need your help to make it a success. We ask all members for few hours of your time.

WHAT'S GOING ON

European Youth Championships in Ireland

Photo by Thomas Touw

Two of our youth members, Healy Ryan and Ed Alexander, have just finished competing at the ILCA 6 Youth European Championships & Open European Trophy in Bangor, Northern Ireland. A hot fleet of 250 boats competed in the regatta.

It is extremely exciting to announce that Healy Ryan won the Under 17 category and was second overall in the Championship, just 11 points behind Poland's Jacek Kalinowski who was the eventual winner. A number of our members were following the WhatsApp updates from Healy's father, Craig. The messages were very entertaining and as the regatta progressed it became evident that Craig was understandably more excited and nervous than Healy!

Photos by Craig Ryan

Ed Alexander also achieved a fantastic result at the regatta, finishing 50th in the Silver fleet.  As Healy and Ed would attest, there are no slouches at the Euro Championships, so in a fleet of 250 boats, these are amazing results.

We look forward to a first-hand account from Healy, Ed and Craig in our newsletter next week.
- James Tudball, Youth Engagement

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UPCOMING EVENTS

• Saturday August 10th: Winter Sprints, 1:00PM start

• Saturday August 17th: Winter Sprints, 1:00PM start

• Saturday August 24th: Working Bee 8:00AM, followed by Winter Sprints at 1:00PM

• Friday August 30th: Sailor’s Season Opening Dinner

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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 - SUNDAY 28 JULY 2024

Winter Championship & Point Score series - Races 22, 23 & 24

The final three races of the Winter series were scheduled for Sunday July 28th, and the race committee launched at dawn to lay a course in surprisingly pleasant conditions: 12 to 15 knots from the West/South West left just enough room between Clark Island and the shipping channel to lay a suitably square course before heading back ashore to find about 25 to 30 laser sailors arriving to finish off the winter campaign.  A quick briefing was held at the western launching ramp where club members could see first hand the progress on Rod's project - a massive improvement when all is done and dusted in the coming months.  The briefing was just that; incredibly brief as the PRO was desperate to get back on course and get in three quick races before the forecast strong wind materialised later in the day.  

When we arrived back on course at 07:45, we found that the forecasted strong winds had indeed arrived, and much earlier than expected.  Pressure began to ramp up range gradually, and by 08:15 half of the fleet had yet to make it out of Double Bay, and half of those that had made it to the course were upside down.  The AP flag was duly raised to give the Race Officers time to assess the situation, at which point the Jazzman started slipping downwind on its anchor, and competitors started getting blown into both Rosebay and off towards Nelson Point on the other side of Shark Island.  So, the Abandonment flag quickly went up and competitors were waved ashore, which was a timely decision as at this point we threatened to lose all control - the response boats were getting overstretched and we struggled to keep count of the number of capsizes.

Fortunately, Double Bay Sailing Club has a long and proud history of managing extraordinary weather events with brave diligence.  The committee and volunteers ensure we know to evacuate the course when needed and we had everything ready to go.  No plan is complete without great execution of course, and it's at this point that several members simply went about doing the right things at the right time, and in the best traditions of DBSC.  There're too many people to thank, but the PRO would like to single out the following members for gratitude:

• John Vasey whose decades of experience on all things DBSC came in handier than ever in wild conditions

• Andrew Cox for staying out on the water while everyone else scrambled for shore and providing a reassuring presence.

• Rob Blum for picking up another sailor who had become separated from his boat

• Yves Stenning, Geoff Boscoe and Rod Barnes for returning to the course to sail home a few stranded lasers

• Josh, our youth coach, who was good enough to launch the spare RIB and get out to assist when our rescue response got stretched

• Paul Adam - always the voice of calm on the other end of the radio when it is needed the most.

• And last, but not least, Max and Michelle Power for their work on the response rib.  Definitely one of the busier weeks to be rostered on for response, but your ability to stay calm and collected in tough conditions was reassuring to all.

Thanks again to the above and anyone who I missed - your work last Sunday is a great example of everything that is special about our club.

- Alistair Sutherland, PRO

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Winter Championships Series FINAL Results

ILCA 6:

1. Andrew Cox (39.6)

2. Ian Alexander (42.6)

3. David Airey (47)

ILCA 7:

1. Nick Pellow (41.4)

2. Patrick Black (45.3)

3. Grant Lovelady (48.2)

ILCA 4:

1. Charlotte Jenkins (18)

2. Raphael McLachlan (21)

3. Elouise Morgan (51)

Winter Point Score Series Final Results

ILCA 6:

1. David Airey (47.5)

2. Andrw Cox (54.4)

3. Jasper Kinsman (55)

ILCA 7:

1. Maxim Djura (41.5)

2. Patrick Black (43.5)

3. Grant Lovelady (45)

ILCA 4:

1. Charlotte Jenkins (13)

2. Raphael McLachlan (25)

3. Elouise Morgan (36)

WHAT'S GOING ON

UPCOMING EVENTS

With the end of the Winter Series, racing now moves to Saturdays:

• Saturday August 3rd: Winter Sprints, 1:00PM start

• Saturday August 10th: Winter Sprints, 1:00PM start

• Saturday August 17th: Winter Sprints, 1:00PM start

Saturday August 24 is our annual Working Bee. Attendance is compulsory for members (that’s how things get fixed at the club), so please ink the date into your calendar.

Friday, August 30th: Sailors Season Opening Dinner at the Lord Dudley (more info to follow)

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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 - SUNDAY 30 JUNE 2024

Photos by Dave Newman

Winter Championship & Point Score series - Races 19, 20 & 21

A grim wind and weather forecast didn't stop 25+ sailors showing up for races 19, 20 & 21 of the winter series. After a short postponement, we got Race 19 underway in a little SW breeze which quickly faded across the course leading to a drifter finish at the top mark on the second lap.

After a short wait, the breeze filled in again and we got underway with Race 20 with a shorter course and isolating and slowly building breeze. By Race 21 we had good pressure as the southerly started to fill in.

The ICLA 6's saw a win to Ian Alexander & two to Andrew Cox. In the pointscore, Benjamin Costandi took a win in Race 19 & 21, and Andrew Cox in Race 20. In the ILCA 7's Luke Parker, Patrick Black & Geoff Boscoe split the wins in the championship. Luke Parker, Joshua Dorey & Geoff Boscoe took the wins in pointscore. David Airey and Maxim Djura take the lead into the final weekend of the winter series after a break for most of July.

- Dave Newman, PRO

Queensland Winter ILCA Regatta - July 13-14th at RQYS

Open to Junior, Youth, Open and Masters categories. Information including NOR is here: QILCA Winter ILCA Regatta - RQYS.

Photo courtesy of RQYS

Some words of encouragement from Andrew Stransky:

Come one come all, it’s happening! Blow away those winter chills, dust off your trusty ILCA dinghy and set your sights on the Queensland Winter ILCA Regatta! Muster your energy and join the age old tradition of competing in the world’s most popular dinghy class. Racing among friends, the thrilling competition is always tight, regardless of where you are in the flight. Tone up those begging muscles in this 2 day, 5 race series, all for a paltry $50 entry fee, a bargain for the taking.

Step right up, you are all invited to enter, whatever your sex or age, come one, come all, this is an open regatta! Bask in warm sunshine on the inviting grounds of the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, while rigging up your trusty stead! Catch up with friends, make friends and be part of the splendid challenge of mastering sail. Out on the fresh waters of Waterloo Bay, apply your best efforts to push each other to even greater heights. Enjoy the fascinating interplay of sails, ropes, hulls and foils as we all strive to use the wind to our advantage and complete the course at our best speed.

Take part in the thrill of the hike, the rock and roll, hanging five in that effort to keep a small wave alive! Test your wits as you place your bets on which way the wind will roll the dice, calm as ice, in that beautiful winter light. Leap out of your chair and exclaim to the air “I’ll get my entry in right now!” If you don’t have a boat but are excited to join, no doubt you can beg or borrow one! What better way to spend two winter’s days, testing your skills and caressing the breeze. So why not get out your calender and ink in July 13th and 14th, to spend some time simply mucking about in boats!  

WHAT'S GOING ON

UPCOMING EVENTS

No racing at DBSC for the next three weekends.

Sunday, 7 July: Work-on-Your-Boat Day for those interested. Nominal start: 08:00

Saturday & Sunday July 13 & 14: Queensland Winter ILCA Regatta at RQYS. Please see previous article.

Sunday, 28 July: Winter Championship & Point Score series racing (Races 22, 23 & 24). 07:30 Briefing and 08:15 First warning. NB: This is the last race day of the Winter Series

Next Season’s Calendar

Vice Commodore Rod Barnes has updated the Sailing Calendar for next season. Here’s the link: DBSC Calendar.

Newsletter on Vacation

Next newsletter will be on or about August 1st, unless there is some breaking news that needs to be spread. In the meantime, please keep these dates free:

Saturday, August 24th: DBSC’s Annual Working Bee - all members are expected to attend.

Friday, August 30th: Sailors Season Opening Dinner at the Lord Dudley

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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.

3 days left to reduce your taxable income! Donate NOW :)

With just 3 days remaining in the 2024 financial year - you can reduce your taxable income AND ensure our club safety boats remain world class. Every dollar counts - and every dollar over $2 is tax deductible.
!! DONATE NOW !!

Having safety boats that are reliable, easy to use and easy to maintain are core to our own safety and to our ability to provide some of Sydney Harbour’s most competitve racing.

Every donation, big or small, is greatly appreciated. Please DONATE NOW!

(Image below is indicative of how both the RIB and people in it might look if you donate)

WHAT'S GOING ON

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sunday, 30 June: Winter Championship & Point Score series racing (Races 19, 20 & 21) 07:30 Briefing and 08:15 First warning.

Sunday, 7 July: NO RACING - Happy Holidays — Work-on-Your-Boat day for those interested. Nominal start: 08:00

Sunday, 14 July: NO RACING - Happy Holidays

Sunday, 21 July: NO RACING - Happy Holidays

Sunday, 28 July: Winter Championship & Point Score series racing (Races 22, 23 & 24) 07:30 Briefing and 08:15 First warning.
(This is the last race day of the Winter Series)

Next Season’s Calendar

Vice Commodore Rod Barnes has updated the Sailing Calendar for next season. Here’s the link: DBSC Calendar.

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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.