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![]() Club MJ - Magic Happens Bureau of Meteorology 128km Sydney Radar |
Looks like we are off to a very good season with the clubhouse chock full for the briefing of the first round of the Club Championships. ![]() Kutti Beach before the Oct 21 point score (pic Jeremy Dixson) ![]() Tom, George and Chrisso - first to sail F11 this season (pic Jeremy Dixson) Sunday the 5th of October was cold windy and a bit wet. Despite the weather quite a few little salty souls threw themselves enthusiastically and bravely into a bit of a sail. The competition this week was a three start sprint series. The majority of the sailors were part of our One Up Sabot fleet, comprising beginners and more hardened sea dogs. One MJ, Black Cat, also made the most of the sprint races to hone newly learnt 'start' skills. This week again the first place dispute continued between Vendetta and Kekipi. Of interest Kekipi is a Hawaiian name meaning rebellion or revolt. So with the icy ferocity of a grudge from Vendetta and the red-hot passion of a revolutionary, the three races were skilful and challenging for the clubs leading Sabot competitors. Ultimately, Vendetta was victorious in the majority of races. Wonderful sailing George and Roy. As usual the adage best start best race was confirmed again, George and Roy both gained best start recognition. Special mention this week goes to Andrew, his weekly improvements must be threatening for the more experienced skippers. Look behind you lads. And first time race skippers Stephen and young Jack G. True grit. More thorough results can be viewed on the club notice board. See you on Sunday Photos of the prize giving courtesy of George Stent (Snr) - these have all been cropped for the website email me at graeme@cube.net.au for high rez full frame image/s. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() A mixed fleet from VA12Sc sailed across the Harbour to Clifton Gradens for a picinc lunch on the beach - packed lunches by Rosey, camp stove tea by Dean ![]() Vaucluse boats at Clifton Gardens A very good turnout of contenders in open, novice and rooky classes in the final round of the MJ States at Point Woolstencroft. Vaucluse novice entries were Double Trouble, The Ghost and Black Cat ![]() 80 MJs leave the shore at Pt Wooly ![]() In contrast to the Sabot Nationals the Flying Eleven Nationals was held in overcast, rainy and windy conditions. Sailed out of Manly 16ft Skiff SC the racing was held in the Sound opposite Sydney Heads. The National President, David Price, gave this description of one of the races: 'Where did the summer go in Sydney? Racing for today's race 6 had it all. Peter Moor, our PRO had the AP flag ashore dropped just on 2pm with a light drizzle of rain dampening the usual spectator fleet's appearance out in the Sound, with all support crews fully 'wet-weathered' up, escorting the fleet to the start off Balmoral in the 22kts from the ESE gusting to 33kts and a rising swell of 3m. What made today's racing really special was the rain increased just on start sequence, blinding the fleet as they battled to focus on maintaining their race strategies whilst tempest raged around them. Just holding position in the wind, current and swell for the rescue team was a struggle, many of the RIBs slamming off the back of waves awaiting the heavy weather start. Even the starter's shotgun was hard to hear only some 40m away.' For those who wanted to improve their heavy weather skills this was the regatta to go to. Only one Vaucluse boat 'Action Stations' (1215) fronted the start line and after a season out of the boat Declan and George's expectations were realistic - their goal was a top 25 position in the fleet of 74 competitors. But the Flying Eleven Nationals were a must. They offered big fleet racing, quality fleet racing and a fleet that boasts a composition of 55% girls. Social activities were awesome - Manly Waterworks booked out by the F11's from 6-8pm on the Lay Day, a sausage sizzle every day, a welcome BBQ (in the rain), and a Presentation night which included a dinner and a disco that kicked on till midnight. The Invitation Race set the scene for the whole regatta and after two swims in the 20knots plus breeze 'Action Stations' (1215) notched up a respectable 29th place out of 74 contenders. Heats 1 & 2 continued to call for heavy weather sailing skills in lumpy seas. ![]() 'Action Stations' (1215) on the far left approaching the top mark. Photo by David Price ![]() And required good mark rounding skills and spinnaker work. Photo by David Price Heat 3 was the only light weather race and became a moment of glory for Declan and George. After an awesome start (second from right - below), ![]() 'Action Stations' 1215 rounded the top mark in 7th place. Racing was tight as the boys worked their way into 2nd place. Photo by David Price ![]() George's mum watching possibly her first full sailing race grew more and more excited as the race wore on and the boys stabilised their spot. Finishing in second place gained them a place on the podium at the afternoon presentation and a chance to bring home a beautifully engraved glass tumbler. Photo by David Price ![]() George Stent and Declan Reilly receive the 2nd place prize for Heat 3. Photo by David Price Heats 4, 5 & 6 turned windy and rainy again, and although the boys managed 15th - 20th positions at the top mark in each heat, subsequent capsizes on the kite runs pushed 'Action Stations' back down the fleet. Their final overall placing of 23rd meant they achieved their goal of a top 25 placing - better than one third of the way down the fleet. In addition the regatta was a great way to consolidate friendships from the past and gain experience in tough conditions in a high quality fleet. Where to from now? Flying Eleven races are set down to start at Vaucluse after school returns with the first two heats of the Club Championship to be sailed back-to-back on the afternoon of 3rd February, 2008, and the next two heats the following weekend. Let's see those spinnakers flying and smiles on wet faces as we race Flying Elevens on Watson's Bay again. ![]() Harry Clark and Finlay Lewis - Sabot Week 2up ![]() Dean and Harry Clark ![]() George Stent - Sabot Week 1up ![]() Tom Collins and Christopher Dixson - Whatever Floats Your Boat - Sabot Week 2up 3rd ![]() Roy Harrison and Andrew Dixson - Do or Die - Sabot Nationals 2up 17th ![]() Louis and Chester Collins - Explosion - Sabot Week 2up 1st ![]() Sabot on high seas VA12SC members achieved great results at Sabot and MJ Nationals and Sabot Week. In the Single Handed division of the nationals Declan Reilly came equal 8th and Elliot Scali finished 17th. Fantastic results considering the weather and sea conditions. In the two handed division of the national fleet Roy Harrison and Andrew Dixson came 17th Sabot Week results Single Handed Division, George Stent Jnr was our best placed sailor in 24th and Martha Swift sailing in her very first regatta 39th after suffering 3 DNFs with gear failure on her old boat. In the Double Handed Division Louis and Chester Collins 1st place with their cousin Tom Collins sailing with Chriso Dixson 3rd. Ned Carter and Conrad Sayer came 6th, Jack Fagan and Oliver Banks 8th, Grace and Ruby Harrison 10th, Harry Clarke and Finlay Lewis sailing Bad Boys 12th. The only Manly Junior to compete at the Nationals at MH16ftSC was Black Cat sailed by Joh and Francis MacDonald. The boys did very well in the Novice Division winning four out of seven races giving them the scratch win and 4th place on handicap. ![]() Joh and Francis MacDonald - Black Cat - MJ Nationals Novice 1st Scratch, 4th Handicap Well done everyone. Another Dick Winning Fun Day... ![]() sugar fired tug-o-war ![]() the greasy pole challenge - mixed division ![]() the greasy pole semi-finals 07 ![]() Santa arrives on Escort ![]() Santa delivers the goods 2 boats from VA12SC competed in the novice division, in the first round of the Manly Junior State Titles held at Cronulla, Black Cat (Joh and Francis MacDonald) and The Ghost (Alex Forbes and William Johnson). Both crews sailed very well. ![]() Alex and Willy in The Ghost - pic Kingsley Forbes-Smith - www.miboat.com The afternoon began with the presentation by Commodore Jay Harrison of Life Membership to Paula Reilly, an honour the Club last bestowed in 2000. Paula has worked as a parent helper for the last 18 years, originally on the tuckshop, then doing the quarterly newsletter, looking after the photographic collection and inducting new members to the club. Presently she is the Starter, the Sabot Representative, the publicity officer, and in charge of the honour boards, the championship ribbons and the prize-giving. Surprised and delighted Paula said how much the award meant to her especially as her father was also a Life Member of the Club. Three tables of trophies were presented to our sailors for their efforts over the past season, with a mixture of handicap and sprint trophies. Winners of the Overall Point-score received modern acrylic blocks with the Club's logo engraved onto them. Championship winners received silver cups also engraved with the club's logo, as well as perpetual trophies. To thank them for their work during the season Paula Reilly as Starter, and our tuckshop mothers Rosie Jones and Susan Beckert who kept us all well fed especially on cold and windy days, were presented with beautiful bunches of flowers. The afternoon finished on the verandah with the traditional afternoon tea to which everyone contributed. Graeme MacDonald took a collection of photos to commemorate the day. The winners for season 2006 / 2007 are: | Sabot 1-Up Sabot 2-Up MJ Life Members Honour Board |
Club Championship 'On Dec' Declan Reilly 'Explosion' Louis and Chester Collins 'Mad Dog' Andre Kennedy and Zac Albert Paula Reilly |
Overall Point-score 'On Dec' Declan Reilly 'Do or Die' Roy Harrison and Andrew Dixson 'Double Trouble' Matthew Hinds and Harry Clark |
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Please make a note in your diarys for the Prize Giving on the 27th of May at 3pm. From Graham Wilson ... Hi Everyone, we will be going to Manly 16ft Skiff on Sunday May 20th around middayfor the 13ft Skiff demo and info day. Times not yet locked in but probably around midday as usual. Please let me know if you intend to come along. Mobile 0409 55 2725 ![]() 420 (Pic Mark Mealin) We had a lot of fun, learnt a lot and had a great luncheon. From all accounts everyone is very impressed by this boat and the association. The class offers lots of training plus national and international events. Boats are reasonably priced and easy to maintain. They will fit in the rack room with a minimum of alterations needed as these boats are about the same size as the Pacers. Regards Graham Wilson ![]() Another beautiful day for the annual Ironman Race ![]() Briefing ![]() LeMans Start ![]() Racing ![]() Results ![]() Ironman 2007 Ruby Harrison - swimming to the beach ![]() Sonic Boom ![]() Do or Die ![]() ![]() ![]() Vaucluse Sabot Sailors Compete Strongly at the Australian Championships Vaucluse sabot sailors had a successful time at the Australian Sabot Championships held at Sandringham Yacht Club over the New Year period, where they represented SNSW. Port Phillip Bay gave us some surprises with only the Invitation Race and one other day producing anything approaching the windy weather that the team had trained for. Other days were light and the breeze shifted, requiring a change of course part way through the race. The excellent results achieved by our sailors show the strength of Sabot sailing at Vaucluse and the five boys should be congratulated for their achievements in this top quality competition. Invitation Race (combined fleet of 150 competitors) 1st Declan Reilly 10th Phil Kurts 15th Ash Rooklyn 20th Elliot Scali 67th Michael Kurts Nationals Overall Results (fleet size 65 selected from around Australia): 12th Declan Reilly (86 points) (1st boat from SNSW) 22nd Phil Kurts (144 points) (4th boat from SNSW) 33rd Elliot Scali (235 points) (6th boat from SNSW) Sabot Week (fleet size 53): 2nd Ash Rooklyn (33 points) (2nd boat from SNSW) 23rd Michael Kurts (171 points) (6th boat from SNSW) ![]() Start of the Invitation Race ![]() Declan Reilly winning the Invitation Race ![]() Ash Rooklyn in the Invitation Race ![]() Phil Kurts on the extreme left in some close racing ![]() SNSW Team training before the regatta started. Elliot is 7010, Declan is 1607, Ash is 1589 Another Dick Winning Fun Day ... ![]() Santa arrives by sea ![]() ![]() ![]() Traditional Greasy Pole Challenge ![]() More Greasy Pole Challenge ![]() Ian Forbes comfortably wins the Buffers Race ![]() Dean has a quick look under the ramp after the Buffers Race Twilight sailing and BBQ on the deck Friday 1st Dec afternoon - all welcome - large quantity of sausages to be consumed. ![]() The start of heat 7 of the recent NSW State Championship ![]() Declan Reilly at speed at the NSW State Championship Last Friday was the first of the Twighlight Sails. Although there was no sailing due to a stiff breeze we did have a very good BBQ for a dozen plus people. The next Twighlight is December 1st and we hope you will come down and enjoy the club at its best. Paula Reilly has returned from the Sabot States and is delighted to report that Vaucluse did well scoring the top three places in the Seniors: Elliot 1st, Phil 2nd and Declan 3rd, so our Sabot sailors are sailing against the best in the State! Congratulations to Elliot, Phil and Declan. Last weekend when most of our Sailors were away the club ran two short races to encourage our young novice sailors and although there were many DNFs the kids had a lot of fun. MEMBERSHIP DRIVE As you will be aware over the past month Membership Renewal Forms have been available from the canteen and we have been urging everyone on our email contact list to either renew their memberships or advise as to whether they will be re joining for the 2006/07 season. We are now getting a much clearer view as to our group of potential members and we are still have quite a number of families yet to rejoin. Over the next few weeks we are hoping and urging those families using the club who have not renewed their memberships to complete the forms and hand them in at the canteen. It is vital that we collect all memberships within the next few weeks as the club will soon be faced with paying the substantial insurance premiums required to run the sailing club. Please note only Financial members may race with the club. Thank you Cindy Clark 9388 3119 Great first F11 race for many years last Sunday 12 Oct. Two boats plus a Pacer competed in the two hour around the YA buoys race. The closest of finishes with less than minute between all three boats at the fininsh line. First place was Bevus and Butthead - Steven Boukatous and Seb Beckert, 2nd Sunderland - Andre Kennedy and Elliot Beckert and 3rd went to the pacer after leading all of the race just went too deep into Watsons Bay and lost the pressure. The pacer skippered by Nadene Wilson and crewed by three kids on their very first sailing experience doing an introduction to sailing lesson. Graham Wilson |
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