There is ONE spot left in the one-day boat licence course we will be running at DBSC on January 20th provided by ABC Boating and supported by the club. Members will need to pay $125 to do the course and the club will subsidise the other 50%. All members should have this licence if you perform PRO or COTD duties. It is also good for anyone who just enjoys being on the Harbour in a boat. To make payment and secure the last spot please click on this link: http://www.dbsc.com.au/shop/boat-license-course-jan20 The weather policy on the day is go unless it’s dangerous (e.g. lightning). If you can’t attend, it will be your obligation to find an alternate (we will help as long as not at the last minute). If you don’t attend without covering your spot, you will be expected to cover the club’s contribution on your behalf (e.g. make up the difference that the club
Author: admin
Big Boat Race Report
Five boats presented on summer afternoon, with a fresh sou-easterly blowing.And Peter Collie gave us a start. (Remember flags rule in the starting sequence, and as PRO Peter used the answering pennant to delay until he felt the fleet were all there). The start was just 5 min delayed. The right place to start was at the green pole, but the first leg was a beam reach and the advantage was small. Umbakumba, Chenonceau and Smitten were all there; one was OCS (Chenonceau) and she went back – and was last to start instead of first. Still, she worked her way through the fleet for a strong finish. G-Force started late but fully powered up and was soon amongst the leaders. Umbakumba was the first to the Point Piper mark and threatened to lead all the way, as she did in December. But boat size does count, and with all boats powered to their intrinsic boat speed, the 30 footers
Vale Jeff Martin
Written by The International Laser Class AssociationILCA is shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Jeff Martin on 11 January 2019 while on a ski holiday with family and friends.Jeff’s dedication to the sport of sailing was unparalleled, having served as the Executive Secretary of the International Laser Class Association for 40 years. Jeff was a cornerstone of Laser events, having worked at every Laser Open World Championship except the first one in 1974 where he was a competitor. The loss of Jeff Martin will be keenly felt throughout the sailing world and our deepest condolences go out to Jeff’s family and friends.
Australia Day Weekend
There will be no sailing on Australia Day, Saturday 26th. Our harbour will be chookas with ferries and various other flotillas, so we’re staying away. We recommend you BBQ some juicy lamb chops and enjoy a cold one with loved ones. But… on Monday 28th there is a Public Holiday and we’re planning some informal sprints. There might be a course set, probably no RIBs, definitely no canteen service. 1.30ish briefing for a 2pm splash. Hope to see you there.
Coming Up
Wednesday 16 January, 5pm – Twilight Sailing. Looks like it will be a wonderful 16-knot NE breeze under warm, sunny skies… so join us!Saturday 19 January, 9am – Learn to Race. Come along if you want to learn more about Laser boat handling, balance, boat posture, trim, starts, tacks, gybes, boat set-up and any other race management fundamentals. Please email Martin White at mwhite@universalmagazines.com.au if you are planning on attending. Saturday 19 January, 2pm Start – Spring Pointscore Heats 3 & 4.Sunday 20 January, 8am Start – Boat Licence Course (for those members who have pre-registered for the course).Wednesday 23 January, 5pm – Twilight Sailing.Saturday 26 January– Australia Day. No Racing.Monday 28 January, 2pm Splash – Sprint Racing (see below).Wednesday 30 January, 5pm – Twilight Sailing.Saturday 2 February, 9am – Mandatory Competency Training for all members.Saturday 2 February, 2pm Start – Club Championship Heats 9 & 10 followed by a BBQ on the deck after racing.
Safety Warning – Bergman Winch Broken
One of the winches for the Bergman has broken. So please don’t attempt to move the Bergman until the winch is fixed. We are aiming to have it repaired and up and running before Saturday, but please confirm it is in working order before using. Thanks for your understanding.
2019 Racing Begins
Sunny skies and a light to moderate NE breeze greeted the fleet of 30+ for the first races of 2019. It was a lovely day for the start of the Autumn Pointsocre, though the racing was made a bit trickier by a crowded harbour, and some close calls with larger boats. Check out harrowing footage of a near miss captured by Ian Alexander here on The Top Mark.First over the line after handicap were: Standards: Steve London (heat 1) and David Newman (heat 2); Radials / 4.7s: Pippa Batchelor (heat 1) and Justin Davey (heat 2). Thanks to all last week’s volunteers for putting on a great day of racing, including PRO Nick Pellow who was assisted by Clare Alexander on the Jazzman, COTD/PhotographerOTD: Ian Alexander, and CoCOTD: Jost Stollman. As always the toasties were delicious thanks to the canteen crew of Paul, Andrea, Shirley and assisted this week by
Coming Up
See below for the special Australia Day Long Weekend Sailing Schedule. Wednesday 23 January, 5pm – Twilight Sailing. Saturday 26 January– Australia Day. No Racing.Monday 28 January, 2pm Splash – Sprint Racing. 1.30pm briefing for a 2pm splash.Wednesday 30 January, 5pm – Twilight Sailing.Saturday 2 February, 9am – Mandatory Competency Training for all members.Saturday 2 February, 2pm Start – Club Championship Heats 9 & 10followed by a BBQ on the deck after racing.
Race Report
A challenging shifty Southerly greeted a fleet of 35 boats for Autumn Pointsocre Heats 3 and 4. Sailors had to keep an eye on the ever-changing wind to make sure they picked the correct side of the course and took advantage of the lifts. First over the line after handicap were: Standards: Ashley Deacon (heat 3) and Thomas Beregi (heat 4); Radials / 4.7s: James Tudball (heat 3) and Ashton Scott (heat 4).Despite the windy conditions, the race committee provided a challenging and fun day of sailing (and even managed to save a unicorn along the way). Thanks to Christine Patton and Michael Osborne on the Jazzman, Tim Patton, Sara Brooks and Steve London on the RIBs, and Emily Ball who joined Paul, Andrea and Shirley in the canteen. Steve also took some great photos and videos of the day, a few are below… many more on The Top Mark.
Laser State Masters South Lake Macquarie March 2nd & 3rd
The block buster State Masters Championship is coming up 2nd and 3rd March. This one will be at South Lake Macquarie Amateur Sailing Club at Sunshine – always a great venue. We have 20 DBSC members signed up to participate… if you haven’t done so already, and want to join us, please let us know HERE. This is your last chance to join our armada headed North. The Notice of Race for the event is HERE and you can enter online HERE. SLMASC have arranged with the Lake Macquarie Council to allow us to camp (tent only – no caravans) on Friday and Saturday nights on Sunshine Park at the club. Camping fee is $30 per night (with funds going to the Council). The clubhouse toilets and showers will be available 24 hours. Please contact Diana Charlton by email at treasurer@slmasc.org if you want to book a camping spot. On Saturday night the club is putting