We kicked off the second instalment for the season of the Brett Beyer Twilight Program last week, with a near-record number of boats on the water – 19 sailors reminded their bosses of the importance of work-life balance and fronted for some gruelling long and short course training in ~20 knots. Come on down tonight for the next instalment!
Category: Latest from Double Bay Sailing Club
Big Boat Report
Written by Jonathan StoneAt last, a perfect afternoon for sailing – warm but not oppressively, a fresh, steady but not wild north easterly, a (relatively) empty Harbour, though the 18s were out later. And five well-prepared boats, with experienced skippersThe start was prompt on 2.00pm, thanks to the PRO Peter (Collie). There were 5 boats in from 23-34ft in length. At these lengths, a few feet in lengths matter. And when skippers are experienced, stealth and cunning come into play.In a nor-easter, the pin end of our line (just south of Clarke Is) is heavily favoured, but it is a bit tricky, for this end of the line is only just free of the lee of the Island. Maybe because the smaller boats are more manoeuvrable their skippers find it easier to avoid the lee, avoid being early and start at speed. In the event, Corinna (an Endeavour 24) won the start,
The Week Ahead
Wednesday 6 February, 5pm – Twilight Sailing. Saturday 9 February, 12pm Briefing – Vaucluse Regatta. See important details above.
Early Start This Saturday for Vaucluse Regatta
Instead of our usual club racing, this Saturday we’ll be participating in The Vaucluse Regatta. It’s the 87th running of this grand regatta, and is a great opportunity for racing in a big fleet, and to get tuned up for the part two of the VYC/DBSC challenge which in scheduled for the following Saturday. Racing starts at Vaucluse at 1.45pm which means they day will start earlier than normal for us. We’ll have a briefing at DBSC at 12 noon where we will review the format of the racing (it is still being finalised). It should be a good day on the water with Laser sailors from around the harbour. There is no cost to participate and all are encouraged to attend – think of it as a normal Saturday on the water for us, just at the other end of the harbour.
DBSC Represents at Nationals
Fifteen of our amazing sailors headed south to Devonport, Tasmania for the Australian and Oceania Laser National Championships from 1st to 8th January 2019. The weather was strong early — up to 30+ knots and 3m waves. It’s been a tough field as expected at the open nationals, including extensive representation from the Australian Sailing Team. The final results have DBSC’s top performers as: 4.7s — Brooke Wilson, a stellar result with 3rd overall, and 1st female youth, followed by Daniel Costandi in 5th overall and 2nd male youth – bringing home 2nd and 1st in the final race between them; Radials — Otto Henry in 5th and 2nd male youth, Sylvie Stannage 26th overall and 2nd Youth Female, our first master, Pat Levy, in 45th overall and 4th Grand Master; Standards — Finn Alexander in 5th, with our first master, Brett Beyer, in 7th overall and 1st Master.You can check out the results here.
2019 Brett Beyer Programs
We’re still working on the exact details of the BBSP and BBTP for 2019… costs and timings will be announced soon. Please stay tuned!
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.
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
Boat Licence Course – Sunday January 20th (8am-4pm)
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
Official 2019 Sailing Kicks off Saturday
We hope you all had an excellent holiday, and that 2019 is off to a great start. We’re planning a great year of events, and are looking forward to seeing you all back at the club this Saturday, 12 January, for the first two heats of the 2019 Autumn Point Score. The big-boat are also planning their January race this weekend on Sunday, 13 January. In the meantime, there will be Twilight Sailing on tonight, and if you’re off from work and looking for a sailing partner, pop a note on our Top Mark Facebook page. It’s been great to see so many members using the Top Mark to plan informal sailing together over the holidays.