RBYC Racing News

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THIS WEEKEND!

This Saturday and Sunday RBYC is in urgent need of some volunteers to assist in race management. Saturday 24th May - Etchell May Trophy Heat 4 & 5 and on Sunday 25th May The Associates Cup is on. if you are available for one or both of these days please contact Sarah in the RBYC office 9592 3092 or email sailing@rbyc.org.au

LAST WEEK OF RACING 

Hearne's Heroes - Wednesday May 14 2008
The wind at the start was NNE, and stayed that way for the first part of the race, easing round to the NE later. The race started in 6 knots, and generally stayed at 6 - 8 knots, with just one exciting burst to 10 knots!

13 boats fronted for the afternoon's race. Paul Woodman was testing another keel position on Flying Fox, and he thinks she has it right this time. David Meik (Phoenix) is becoming a regular, and it was nice to see Current Affair out there.

The northerly course 13, (S-5-3-1-6-5-6-1-F) was the starter's selection, and the fleet prepared for a Fleet Start.

The start was interesting, with the most boats clustered around the pin to start on starboard. The getaway was slow, and that was the way the day went. The fleet reached out to #3, and then down to #1. By the time the fleet was rounding #1 for the first time, Phoenix was well out in front. Then came a group comprising Flying Fox, Clipper III, Avanti and Boots. A couple boats then separated the leaders from those fighting it out at the back of the fleet. Really, just what you would expect from the fleet start.

These positions did not really change until the leg from 5 - 1, when Adam's Rib, sailing conservatively on a reach, snuck past Avanti when they were experimenting with a poled out jib. The final leg was almost a soldier's leg, and it paid to stay high and get as much in the bank as possible. Phoenix was out of sight, and should have had their boat snugged down in the marina by the time the last boat came in.

Phoenix was first over the line, 16 minutes ahead of Flying Fox, with Boots a further 6 minutes behind. Adam's Rib, Clipper III and Avanti completed the course, with the slow conditions forcing the rest of the fleet outside the time limit for the race.

The final results, after taking handicaps into account, had Phoenix winning by 5 minutes from Boots, with Clipper III a further minute behind. Complete results are available on the web-site.

See you all out there next week, for a Pursuit Start.

Saturday - Etchells May Trophy Heat 1&2 and Winter Pursuit R1

The Day was freezing and many crossed their fingers in hope the racing would be called off, with a doubtful weather report and a rain radar full of colour things did not look good, however the weather held off and Race Management decided to go ahead. 9 Etchells ventured out to start the race and by the second everyone had warmed up with some close competition happening at the halfway mark with the fleet being split by only 40secs! In the end it was AUS1244 Dr Evil that performed best overall for the day sailing away with a score of 3 towards the May trophy, we will find out the result for the trophy this weeked. For full results from last weekends heat 1 and 2 click here 

A Total of 8 boats entered the Winter pursuit series R1, unfortuately it wasnt a very exciting race with not many boats catching others. Boats finished over a total of 24minutes hopefully it might be a bit more exciting this week click here for full results! Anyway onto the future - on Saturday 31st of May we are looking at holding the Kids in Keelboats race, if any skipper is available to take some extra kids in their keelboats please contact Sarah in the RBYC office on 9592 3092 or email sailing@rbyc.org.au

FUTURE RACING - THE WEEK AHEAD

Saturday 24th May 1330hrs Start

- Etchells Ht 3 &4 May Trophy

- Saturday Winter Pursuit R2

Sunday 25th May 1000hrs Start

- Associates Cup

ASSOCIATES CUP Yes it is on this Sunday May 25^th !

Centre course race with a boat start and warning signal 0955hrs.

Weather is shaping up for light NE breezes.

All Lady Skippers have now been assigned to boats, but we still have opportunities for anyone interested in joining in the fun, to come along and crew or even volunteer and spectate! Please contact Sarah (sailing@rbyc.org.au) in the office if you wish to join in.

Competition will be hot as many of the Lady Skippers have been seen attending the recent Wednesday evening lecture series organised by the Australian Women’s Keelboat Regatta (AWKR) and held at RBYC. After lectures from Frank Hammond on Sail Trim and Tactics and last week’s Starts and Starting Tactics with ex-Olympian Jenny (Lidgett) Danks, there will be some very competitive racing.

This Wednesday evening’s lecture, May 21^st at 1900hrs, features Barney Walker, tactician and navigator on Wild Oats, speaking on Weather. All club members welcome, male or female.

Everyone is invited back to the clubhouse after racing to enjoy a Sunday roast.. Don’t forget to book in by end of day today with Mandy at reception@rbyc.org.au

Look forward to seeing you all out on the water and good luck!!!