Fifteen DBSC members hit the road last weekend to compete in the Coast Championships at Gosford Sailing Club. There were of 71 Lasers are competing, and the DBSC contingent didn’t let us down. Representing over 20% of the fleet, the awards presentation saw DBSCers victorious in all classes. The winds tested both the sailors and the race officials however in the end five of the scheduled six races were completed with some great tight racing in all three fleets.In the 4.7′s DBSC sailor Xavier McLachlan and Kane Sablatnig finished level on 8 points with Xavier winning on a count back. It was almost as close in the Radials with our very own Otto Henry beating Jordon Makin from Belmont 16′s by just one point. With DBSCers Daniel Costandi and Mark Louis taking third and fourth respectively. Marlena Berzins and Sylvie Stannage and Evie Saudnders finished in a tight race, earning sixth, seventh and eighth place. DBSC Coach,
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Arrival of New Sails
The first batch of sails has arrived from NB and they are available for collection from the club. These include sails for several members of other clubs — if you are in that category, we have already emailed you to let you know. When you collect your sail, please sign and fill in your name and sail number on the sheet that is located on a clipboard kept with the boxes of sails. The next instalment of sails is in progress and we will let you know when it’s delivered.
Competency Training
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, 23 November, and plan to be at the club then.The topics that will be covered are:· Davits / RIBs / Jazzman· Onshore PRO/COTD tasks / radio use· On-water PRO/COTD instructions / course laying· Incident management plan· First aid / CPR / defibrillatorThe course will be taught by fellow members – please confirm your attendance via the form HERE and come and support this critical initiative for the club.
Pippa and David explain the defibrillator at Last Season’s Competency Training.
Twilight Sailing Tonight
Twilight sailing kicked off last week with a big cold southerly. For those who participated it was a great opportunity to practice boat handling in a strong breeze and tactics in shifty conditions. Tonight will be the first instalment of this season’s Brett Beyer Twilight Program. Everyone is welcome, including visitors from other clubs. See you for a 5pm splash.
Up Next at DBSC
Wednesday, 9 October, 5pm Splash – Twilight SailingSaturday, 12 October, 2pm Start – Sprints (due to Oceania and Coasts)Sunday, 13 October, 2pm Start – Big Boat RaceWednesday, 16 October, 5pm Splash – Twilight SailingSaturday, 19 October, 9am – Learn to RaceSaturday, 19 October, 2pm Start – Club Championship, Heats 3 & 4 AND Spring Pointscore, Heats 5 & 6. Followed by a BBQ
Rule of the Month — Starting
By Brett BeyerThe pre-start period is probably where the most protests occur, most often as a result of windward / leeward situations. Most of these protests end with leeward boats being disqualified.The main things to note are:* Rule 11 applies — on the same tack and overlapped, the windward boat must KEEP CLEAR.* There is no “PROPER COURSE” before the start, so the windward boat must keep clear all the way up to head to wind.* But Rule 15 is a limitation imposed on the leeward boat when she has acquired the right of way — “she shall initially give the other boat ROOM TO KEEP CLEAR”. This means a leeward boat cannot sail into the hole and immediately ask / expect the windward boat to be able to keep clear. * Rule 22.3 is an exception — “a boat moving astern, or sideways to windward, through the water by backing
Rules, Rules, Rules
By Andrew CoxWe are going to run a series of articles by Brett Beyer over the coming months, covering starting, top mark, bottom mark and port / starboard. This is part of an effort to increase understanding of the rules by our sailors. But not just the rules — we are focused on understanding how to apply the rules sensibly in practice. Importantly, there are many situations where the RIGHT answer is NOT to be aggressive in enforcing your rights. This is counter-intuitive to most sailors. As Brett says, “The smart way to approach any rule is to do what is right for you. Giving a boatlength away at times could be the smartest long term approach. You usually can’t win a race as a result of an individual incident, but you can certainly lose one!”This season, we are very focused on improving the quality of our racing. Please know
Top Tip – How to Dry Wet Boots
Last week Wet Foot Freddie asked how to dry his boots after a day on the water. DBSC members have come to the rescue with these suggestions:Fill with scrunched up newspaper (or other absorbent paper) works with wet work boots & actual trekking/hiking boots. Leave in dry shaded area not full sun as get over heated & sweat. — Mick ForbesI just hand them to Dad and hey presto next time I need them, they are dry! — Sylvie StannageOpen them up, rinse them out, drying racks are useful, accept they are a consumable and let the sun and breeze do the work! — Chris Stannage Stuff your booties with newspaper! — Katie McHughMy solution is 12min spin cycle in the washing machine for everything except the life jacket. Then hang everything on the clothes rack inside. Boots upside down as shown in the photo. Everything is dry by the next day. —Andrew
Coast Championships this Weekend
The East Coast Laser Championships are on this weekend at Gosford Sailing Club. This is the first of the Laser regattas for the 2019/20 season and a perfect opportunity to blow out the cobwebs after the winter and a chance to practise your fleet racing at an away club! The NoR for this event is HERE and entries are open HERE.If you’re planning on attending the Coasts, please fill in this FORM if you require support for Laser transport AND if you can help with Laser/ Trailer transport as well. For those NOT attending the regatta and have a spare trailer please complete the form also. Ian Alexander will be in touch to confirm logistics.
Twilights Start Tonight
It’s the mid-week sailing fix you’ve been waiting for all winter long… Wednesday Twilight Sailing. It’s back this evening. Splash is at 5pm (or whenever you can make it). Hope to see you there for some beautiful golden hour sailing.