Canberra Fleet Growing

Spy's spotted Canberra 14 sailor Oliver Merz in Sydney over the weekend purchasing "CST" from Greg Dixon. We suspect Oliver will now pimp "Noo Wedgie" on to a new owner adding to the explosive growth of the ACT class. Come down to the ACT Dinghy Titles this weekend to check out the action!

Sunday 20th November - Spring Series

On Sunday, we had one long race in an 8 - 13 kt SE'er, whilst the 12's had their Garde sprint series. After spending most of the first work wondering where the top mark was, all boats were shocked to realise that you really couldnt miss it - it was attached to a massive tanker! So, after rounding the ship and popping the kite, Ant and Paul ("Test Eagle") were in first, with Kate and Dave ("Dukes") and Rob and Craig ("Drizabone") pretty close behind. Unfortunately, a small incident with the Manly ferry, followed by negotiating their way through an 18 footers start cost Dave and Kate a position, though it was quickly regained on the next work. By then, Ant and Paul had extended their lead and managed to maintain it
throughout the race. Despite a second meeting with the Manly ferry (resulting in another swim), Kate and Dave held on to second, with Rob and Craig in third. After a pretty interesting day on the water, it would seem that Ant has worked out how to steer and he's now the man to beat. Glen Stanaway managed to get some video of Rob and Craig, download it here:

Video of Drizabone (3MB)

This weekend the 12's have their State Titles at Saratoga, so we thought we would give Specky, Leasa and Chuck a well earned day off. If you are still keen to sail, head to Canberra for the Dinghy Titles (NOR and Si can be found in the calendar). Otherwise, sailing will resume as normal the following Sunday and we'll see you there.

Sunday 13th November - Club Champ Heat 2
Sunday brought wonderful sunshine and a 10 - 15 kt SE'er for the Club Championship at the Squaddy. With Toby back from his musical and educational adventures, Ed regained his normal crew, so Paul Carpenter and Ant Little ("Test Eagle") decided to sail together. With Ant at the helm, they were first to the top mark... but as Ant said "then it all went pear shaped". Swimming several times downwind, they allowed Dave and Kate ("Dukes") to pass them (who were quite unaware that this put them in first place!). Ant and Paul soon pulled out feeling a little worse for wear, but the race continued ending with Ed and Toby in first and Kate and Dave in second (their best finish ever). Craig and Rob ("Drizabone") did start the race, however, they had problems with their new jib system and had to go in early. This has been rectified, so they are good to go for this Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Canberra guys have been training up for nationals with a trip to Jervis Bay. With a 15 kt SE'er they sailed the width of Jervis Bay (Callala Bay to Huskyerson) for an hour and a half on port tack. Coming back involved a 40 minute spinnaker ride with only one gybe. As Oliver stated, "bliss". On Sunday, they got to sail with a pod of dolphins whilst doing a series on one lap sprints. Sounds like they had a lot of fun.

So it would seem that after sailing in great weather all crews are super keen to get on the water in the coming weeks.

Kate Cooper "Dukes"

Sunday 23rd October

Sunday saw a 10 kt NE'er providing excellent conditions for Craig and Rob on "Drizabone" to get used to their boat, purchased over winter from Melbourne. Proud of their efforts, Craig and Rob intend to sail at the Squaddy from now on.

There were 3 short races held at the Squaddy during the afternoon, resulting in some close racing between the 12's and 14's with Ed and Paul ("The Muppet Show") winning both the first and last races and getting a 3rd in the other. The short races also gave Kate an opportunity to have a steer, and she and Dave ("Dukes") were stoked with her effort. By the end of the days racing, all crews were feeling enthusiastic about the short course format and are looking forward to more in the future.

In Canberra, there was also close racing, with Oliver and Ben ("Noo Wedgie") narrowly beating Justin and Luke ("Loose Unit").

Sunday 16th October
With 4 14's in the park, and a forecast 10 - 15 kt Easterly, it was looking like there would be some good close racing for the first Club Championship race. On the water the wind increased to 17 - 24kts, Martin and Murray Mulholland ("Redback") went out for their first race of the season, with a new main, and won the race. Martin was heard to comment "our old main was pretty big, this thing is massive!". Ed's sexy new Beiker 3 ("The Muppet Show") was the talk of the park, after a late start and some capsize practise Ed returned to the park with a big grin and was heard to comment "best ride ever".

Kate and Dave ("Dukes") and Anthony Little and Jenny Muller ("Test Eagle") did not finish the race, but Jen was stoked at her ability to steer the boat back to the club despite spending some time swimming in the moorings.

It was a great day all round, with everyone now ready and keen for the season ahead. We look forward to having more boats on the water in the coming Sundays and hope to see you there!

Offwater:
* After winning the Sydney Uni Band Comp, Toby Blackman (Ed's crew) and his band "The Crustaceans" have won the State Finals and are off to Adelaide for the National Finals. Congratulations and good luck :).

Kate Cooper "Dukes"

Jervis Bay Long Weekend Regatta
Over the long weekend 2 14s from SFS and 2 from Canberra headed to Jervis Bay for their mixed fleet regatta. It was a great spot with plenty of rigging room, clean air and great courses.

On day 1, 2 short races were held in a 10 - 15 kt NE'er, providing close racing with the B14s also competing in our division (and the cherubs for those of us a bit further back). After coming 2nd in the division in race 1, Ed and Paul ("Ghost") successfully port tacked the fleet at the start of race 2, receiving plenty of cheers for their effort. Meanwhile, Oliver and Ben ("Noo Wedgie") nearly took out Dave and Kate ("Dukes") on port, leaving them swimming on the start line after a last minute tack. Needless to say, some well earned beers went down well after the days sailing.

Day 2 was to have 2 races in the morning and one in the afternoon, however, race 3 was shortened and 4 postponed due to lack of wind. Whilst Kate and Dave revelled in their placing as the second 14 across the line in race 3, others were happy to paddle home for lunch, hoping the wind would pick up for the afternoon. And so it did - a 15 to 25 kt westerly providing a mad reach to the start line and gusts that wiped out large portions of the fleet. Justin and Luke, stoked with their recently purchased "Loose Unit", spent the afternoon getting to know the new boat, whilst Oliver and Ben did some great sailing to be the first 14 over the line in race 4 and the only 14 to start race 5. Despite retiring late in the 4th race (due to Ed breaking the boom by standing on it during a capsize), Ed and Paul still finished the regatta ahead of the other 14s, with Oliver and Ben 2 points behind in second, Dave & Kate and Justin & Luke tying for 3rd.

So, by the end of a fairly windy regatta, it can be said that all crews were happy with their performance and had a wonderful time. It was a fantastic way to kick of the season and I recommend it to everyone for next year's October Long Weekend.

Results

Kate Cooper "Dukes"

Racing
Last Saturday was the opening race of the Squaddy season and it was looking like there'd be a number of 14s on the water. However, one look at the forecast and enthusiasm dampened. Ed had spent the week arranging to borrow a boat (Ant’s “Test Eagle”) and a crew so rigged up enthusiastically, whilst the intelligent amongst us looked at the 25 – 39 kt Westerly and thought that having a beer was the better option. Shortly thereafter the race was abandoned and Ed decided that with his proven ability to break boats (his was in the garage awaiting repair), that it was not worth the risk. Some 12s and historical 18s did make it onto to the water, but not without their fair share of damage - so we made the right decision.

Ed has now ordered a 15 kt NE'er for next weekend and we hope to see lots of 14's on the water.

Off water
A quick update on what's happening off the water:

• Kevin Linnett (of Illawarra Yacht Club) is installing racks on his ICE and is planning to sail at the Squaddy from November.
• Justin Woods (of Canberra Yacht Club) has purchased Kurt Faturous' "Loose Unit" to raise the fleet in Canberra to 3 and is attempting to sell his old boat to a Canberran to have 4 boats racing.
• Ben Thomas (of the Squaddy) and his wife Fiona have just had a child so will be cutting back on his sailing. Congratulations and good luck to them both and we hope to see Ben occasionally.
• Ed has supplied us with a definition of a successful trip to Whitworths - a call from your credit company to verify your purchases!

Coming Up
Headmistress Ed has already cracked his whip and told the fleet to be at a number of events this season, but here's a reminder of the soonest events:

• Sailing at the Squaddy is on Sundays each week. This week is a Sprint Series, so there will be as many 1 lap Windward / Leeward races as can be run.
• Long Weekend (1st & 2nd Oct) - Sail Jervis Bay Regatta

It would be good to get as many 14s on the water at these events to increase competition and interest in the class!

Thats it for this week, but fingers crossed for fine weather on Sunday and we hope to see you there.

Kate Cooper "Dukes"

2005/6 Summer Calendar
Has now been updated, check it out

SFS Season Starts this Saturday
Racing kicks off at the SFS opening day on Saturday 17th September, the season will be officially opened by the Mayor of North Sydney at Midday. The race starts at 2pm, get there early!

Squaddy Brass Monkey Regatta - 20-21 August 2005
This regatta is shaping up to be a massive event for all skiff and dinghy classes. A good fleet of 14's will be turning up. Enter and get all the event details here.

New Photos
Check out the new photo sets, these were taken by Specky and Leasa from the SFS start boat throughout last season and during the state titles. A couple of new images taken at a Woollahra winter series race have also been added to the general gallery.

Nationals Info
All the latest 2005/06 nationals info can be found here. An accomodation guide (12 months out of date) that was used by the Tornado's last year can be found here.

Summer Calendar
The new summer calendar will be available soon. Racing kicks off at the SFS opening day on Saturday 17th September, then normal Sunday racing from September 25th.

Winter Calendar
Winter Racing Dates are now up.

Brass Monkey NOR
June Long Weekend Tuggerah Lakes Brass Monkey Regatta Notice of Race is up.

Race Reports
A report on the recent ANZAC Regatta at Batemans Bay as well as a belated Reports on the Nationals.

More Piccys
Also some new piccys taken by visiting German 14 sailor Axel Reinsch.

Closing Day
SFS Closing Day will now be on Saturday, 30th April. One of the few opportunities all SFS classes get to sail together. Hope to see a good turnout representing the 14's.

Improved Website
Check out the new photo gallery's and State Title Results!

Upcoming Events (See Calendar for details)
- ANZAC Regatta Batemans Bay
- BYRA Marathon
- Brass Monkey Regatta