Winter is well and truly upon us and if you are like me, you are counting down the days to summer and lookingto escape up to the tropics. Despite the conditions, there is still plenty of 38 sailing available with winter series racing at the Harbour, Pittwater and
Victoria and we have race reports from each of these series below as well as information on Port Lincoln week where the inaugural SA state titles will be held in February 2012.
Probably the most important news of late (and which you should by now all be aware of) is that the association membership fee has been dropped to $250, which is a substantial drop on where it has been, and is now at a level that there is no reason not to be a member, particularly given the member only benefits that are available now, or soon will be. Credit for the drop in fees needs to go to Greg Clinnick for his efforts in cost cutting.
Hopefully by the time you receive this email, the new web site will be live. If not it is not far away and will offer greater functionality and ease of use as well as having additional
sections such as members only sections for supplier discounts and a trading post for boats, sails and other gear.
For anyone looking to replace running rigging, Sydney rigging is offering a 10% discount to association members before end October, and there is a full price list on the members’ only
section of the new website.
We will shortly be distributing the proposed amendments to the class rules for voting at the next AGM.
Regards
Mark Griffith President
AUDI CYC
Winter series report by Larki Missiris
Cursing (Freudian slip? I think this is meant to be Cruising) Yacht Club of Australia Audi Winter Series this year attracted over 130 yachts which races in 12 divisions including
a Sydney 38 division. The Sydney 38‘s were able to attract seven starters which were the first group off on a scratch start at 11.25am. Race results were determined by performance handicap system over the ten race series.
With the first three races out of the four being a shortened course due to the light conditions
Wild One owner Larki Missiris took full advantage of the conditions winning four straight races, with the crew on Outlaw, Alan and Tom Quick sailing a faultless race in race 5 taking the podium finish and beating the next Sydney 38 Calibre G Bonus/ R Williams by more than 7 minutes over the line who were able to claim second and Livewire P Barnes in third spot.
Race 6 was a different story with Sydney waking to a cold measurable wet Sunday the breeze around 15 knots out of the south and by mid afternoon gusting to 25 knots from
the south / east. Three yachts from other divisions hitting Sow and Pigs reef due to the north cardinal marker missing, with another yacht came to grief hitting the rocks at Steel Point off Nielson Park. The Sydney 38 fleet reveling in the conditions with some great kite runs with speeds of 13 knots reported on the day.
Sally Warneford’s Sydney 38 Thirlmere being steered by Vanessa Dudley champion Laser sailor taking out race 6 in style with a handicap win as well as first Sydney 38 home. The
other place getters on the day were Calibre G Bonus / R Williams and Next I Mason / M Wenke finishing third.
The crew of Thirlmere continued where they left off the previous week with a win in race 7
for a second week in a row just holding Wild One out by 13 seconds for second
spot and Next in third. Pleasant sailing condition in a 10 knot breeze out of the west as well as a sunny day with most competitors wearing shorts and t-shirts. The only hazardous objects on the harbour were the Manly Ferries and those container ships which come in the harbour that morning creating an obstacle to some competitors.
Getting down to the business end of the season in race 8 competitors were getting their boats scrubbed leaving nothing to chance. With light wind forecasted the Sydney 38
fleet started in a north/west breeze at 5-7 knots with the race committee having
no choice but to shorten the course as the breeze was dying out all day. Wild
One taking advantage of the shortened course winning race 8 with Outlaw Alan and
tom Quick in second place and Livewire Phil Barnes in third.
Larki Missiris owner of Wild One taking his fifth win in eight races is in an unbeatable
position with only two races remaining to determine the series winner.
After a short AP in race 9 due to the lack of wind the Sydney 38 fleet were started in a 7-10
knot north/north westerly breeze which was build to 15 knot by the afternoon. A
fully course was sailed in perfect conditions. Bruce Foye The Goat picking up
his first win for the season with Livewire second and Next in third.
Due to the excessive winds on the last race of the Audi Winter Series the race committee
abandoned race 10. The breeze on Sydney Harbour was 30 knots gusting to 45 knots
with the committee announcing the abandoned of race 10 just before 11.00am. A
great series was had by all the Sydney 38 owners with good close racing hopping
next year to attract a larger fleet to contest the Sydney 38 Audi Winter Series.
Series Results
Handicap:
Wild One 11 pts L Missiris
Livewire 20 pts P Barnes
Next 21 pts I Mason / M Wenke
Outlaw 24 pts A and T Quick
Thirlmere 29 pts S Warneford / L Jamie
Calibre 31 pts G Bonus / R Williams
The Goat 33 pts B Foye
Scratch:
Wild One 14 pts L Missiris
Outlaw 18 pts A and T Quick
Next 19 pts I Mason / M Wenke
Calibre 24 pts G Bonus / R Williams
Thirlmere 25 pts S Warneford / L Jamie
The Goat 34 pts B Foyed
Livewire 36 pts P Barnes
Victorian report
The Victoria fleet has a more relaxed sailing program over the winter, with some of the boats a complete break whilst others are enjoying some less serious club racing and catching up with the maintenance list. The Ocean Racing Club of Victoria run a series of interclub races every second Sunday throughout winter, and for the hard core, this racing is where you will find the strongest competition.
A number of Sydney 38 are competing this year, and in IRC division 1, Chutzpah38 and Challenge are currently 2nd and 4th respectively after 3 races. To date the conditions have been a bit puffy and on more than one occasion the 38 brigade have been practicing their chinese if you get my drift. That mast head configuration certainly tests the limit sometimes….. It was great to see Cinquante make the effort in race 1 to come across from Geelong to play with the fleet. All of the owners are looking forward to our preseason 38 regatta at Geelong in September.
Pittwater report by Chris Dawson Eye Candy
Well looks like CD has let us down but not to worry Chris, I will provide my completely unbiased report:
We had a good turnout with all but one of the Pittwater fleet turning out for the winter
series, which was a light hearted pursuit series, where crews could enjoy the
scenery of beautiful Pittwater while sipping cocktails , well this is what it was meant to be, but as you can imagine inevitably there is all ways one crew who exhorts others to participate in racing “one Design”. I am pleased to say that despite this unseemly peer group pressure, Old School remained true to the concept of winter racing and started on its allotted time, where the crew were able to enjoy refreshments accompanied by classic music without interruption by yachts barging in at marks without overlaps (well that was the plan anyway).
After the dust of combat had settled, Eye Candy emerged victorious in Division 1, which is a
credit to the competitiveness of the twenty five crew lining its rail, while Old
School came out third, one point behind missing second on a countback to a well
sailed but extremely raucous F40.
Inaugural 2012 SA State Championships
The inaugural South Australian State Championships will be held during Pt Lincoln Race Week in February 2012.
With the increasing number of Sydney 38s in Adelaide – all based at the CYCSA- it was
decided to hold a South Australian state title as part of one of the best
regatta weeks in Australia. The Lincoln Race Week held in Pt Lincoln following
the Adelaide to Lincoln Bluewater Classic, is held on some of the best sailing
waters in Australia. The waters of Boston Bay provide flat water, nice breezes,
sunshine and the hospitality of Pt Lincoln and the Pt Lincoln Yacht Club results
in a memorable sailing experience.
“We will do everything we can to make it a hugely successful event. We have appointed an
extra National Race Officer to assist Stewart Ross in our race management so all
is looking good for a great week .” said Regatta Chairman, Steve
Kemp.
Dates to note are: 2012 Lexus Adelaide to Port Lincoln Yacht Race – Friday 17th February and 2012 Lexus Lincoln Week and SA Sydney 38 Championships – 20th February to 24th
February.
A number of Victorian boats have expressed interest in coming across for the SA
Championships and bolster the growing SA fleet which should result in some
excellent competition and close racing. Berthing of boats during Lincoln Race
week is usually at no charge and special packages are available from the CYCSA
for interstate boats heading up to Adelaide to compete in the Bluewater
Classic.
For interstate crews, the Port Lincoln Visitor Information Centre is best source for
accommodation information.
For more information contact either the Port Lincoln Yacht Club at www.plyc.com.au or [email protected]
or SA Sydney 38 Fleet Co-ordinator,
Andrew Corletto at [email protected]