Surf to City
We know the Surf to City hosted by the Queensland Cruising Yacht Club was held a few weeks ago, but this report from Peter Hackett just made it’s way to our inbox…
The 2010 Surf to City was a bit calmer than last year’s destruction derby, with plenty of drifting under saggy bags. Here are some pix taken from Don McWatters boat in the early light stages of the looooong race which starts at SYC Southport and finishes at QCYC Shorncliffe. On the inshore race it was lots of kites up and down, winding on sheets tight to make marks, excitement around Peel when the fast guys parked for the rest of us to join the party, and a few peeled kites catching shrimp was the excitement this year. We got a bit of luck on Intrigue to do well with the Peel-Park in our favour, and finished at just after 5 very tired.
The offshore crews reported a very slow race, although lots of spinnaker time helped avoid boredom. It was surprising for us raft-sailors to see the canting keel mono Black Jack finish around 6 pm, only 18 minutes outside the course record in such light conditions.
Results Summary Inshore
OMR
1 Louie Da Tri
2 Intrigue
3 Aeolus
PHCF
1 Intrigue
2 Malibu
3 Louie Da Tri
Ofshore
OMR
1 Rhythmic
2 Beats Workin
3 Renaissance
PHCF
1 Rhythmic
2 Renaissance
3 Beats Workin
The Nautical Mile – Edition 1.10
About two weeks ago I got a call asking if I would be interested in writing a weekly sailing column. Naturally I jumped at the chance with a view that I could kill two birds with one stone! The Wynnum Herald gets something each week about sailing, and so does LSD!!!
So here is the first one. I’m limited to about 250 words (this one was 262..) so it’s a challenge to ensure I get a few points across without congesting the column too much. I’m keen to hear feedback, and if you want your (local Wynnum Manly) club mentioned, then please let me know!
Click to enlarge
Welcome to first edition of “The Nautical Mile”. I’ve been given the honour to talk to you about the sailing events that take place at the six clubs that operate out of Manly Harbour. Today I’m in Sydney for a meeting at Yachting Australia to discuss and finalise the details of the major international sailing regatta Sail Brisbane, which is hosted by Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron every year in November. Sail Brisbane is the first leg of the Sail Down Under Series which is an International Sailing Federation Grade 2 Regatta meaning that sailors who attend have their points calculated towards their world ranking. In 2009 the regatta attracted 250 competitors from 12 countries including Olympians and World Champions. The regatta also brings tourism to the area, and gives us a chance to show off our beautiful bay to those visiting from around the country and globe. This Saturday the Wynnum Manly Sailing Club is hosting the Sir Ellis Murphy Twilight Series which is a short night race of approximately 20 nautical miles. There are three races in the series. The Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron is hosting the One-Design Farr 30 & Farr 40 Regatta which is also acting a training weekend for the Farr 30 crews who head to their Australian Championship in Sydney in March. Sunday is the first weekend of the Term 1 School Team Sailing Regatta with local schools Iona College, Moreton Bay Boys College and Moreton Bay College set to race against the 28 entered teams.
Wynnum Manly Sailing Club – www.wmyc.org.au
Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron – www.rqys.com.au
Sail Brisbane – www.sailbrisbane.com
The Nautical Mile – Edition 2.10
Sailing enthusiasts were glued to their TV and computer screens this week transfixed by the 33rd America’s Cup in Valencia, Spain. Aussie skipper James Spithill steered the 90’ Trimaran, BMW Oracle Racing to victory in Race 1 screaming around the course at speeds exceeding 20 knots in just 8 knots of breeze.
On a local front the Multihull Yacht Club of Queensland (MYCQ) hosted their Great Bay Race with six boats hitting the water in a “choose your own adventure” race. The competitors were given the option of three different courses to sail with the challenge in selecting the right course being a major factor for the unique event. The winner of the day was Akimbo skippered by Auchenflower sailor Robert Sherwood with Kestal taking out the handicap division with Richard Jenkins from Aquatic Paradise at the helm.
The next multihull event is on March 21 where the fleet will join the Manly Combined Clubs race, then on March 27 and 28 the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron (RQYS) will host the Queensland Multihull Championship as a lead up to the MYCQ Brisbane to Gladstone Multihull Race starting on Good Friday. Sailors from RQYS embraced Valentines’ Day by taking part in the annual Romantic Racing regatta.
Couples race against others in a relaxing atmosphere however the competitiveness kicked in with fierce competition displayed throughout the three races. The winning couple of the day was Paul & Kate Wyatt, with Paul retaining a perfect winning streak since taking out the Etchells World Championships with Manly local Jason Muir in January 2009.
33rd America’s Cup – www.americascup.com
Multihull Yacht Club Queensland – www.mycq.com.au
Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron – www.rqys.com.au
The Nautical Mile – Edition 3.10
This Saturday is the final race for the Kingfisher Bay Night Series which is joint event between the Queensland Cruising Yacht Club, Moreton Bay Yacht Club, Wynnum Manly Sailing Club and Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron. The final race of the series will see yacht starting at the Compass Adjustment Buoy then racing a course which takes them south to Hope Banks, then north again to finish off Mud Island. With a start time of 1500 hours some of the faster yachts can finish within daylight, however the majority of the fleet race well into the night.
On Sunday the Darling Point Sailing Squadron (DPSS) is hosting their Long Course Race for Skiffs, Cherubs, NS14s, 125s, Sabots and anyone else who would like to join in. The biggest boats will sail a long course around Green Island whilst the smaller boats will sail to the same island and then return back to the club located at the top end of Manly Harbour. Everyone is invited to attend and you don’t have to be a member of the club to take part. The cost per boat is $10 and is a great way to get on the water for a day, meet new people and have a great time. There will be a briefing at 1330 hours with the racing scheduled to commence at 1400. Like all sailing events, the finer details are subject to the day’s weather.
For more information check out the DPSS website – www.dpss.org.au
2010 – The Year of Australian University Sailing
This year is set to become an important year in the world of University Sailing after Australian University Sport announces that sailing will be included in this year University Games in Perth. While the final details are yet to be established, sailing will be incorporated as an exhibition event this year and then from 2011, points will contributing to the overall inter-varsity championship.
Two new championships are set to make up the new sailing event at the university games. The first will be a teams racing three day regatta which will take place in Pacers. The second is expected to be a combination of fleet racing and match racing finals to establish an overall winner which. The university games will be held in Perth during the end of September and has become famous for being the largest annual sporting event in Australia each year incorporating thousands of students.
Before everyone heads off to Perth later in the year, the 2010 Australian University Fleet Racing Championships is set to take place. The regatta is will be hosted by the Sydney Uni Sailing Club and will take place at Great Lakes Sailing Club, just south of Forster on the NSW coast. Racing takes place under a yard stick system making the event accessible to any uni student with a boat or sail board. Notice of Race and other details have now been released and are available via www.usydsailing.com
To keep up to date with the latest developments in university sailing, join the “Australian University Sailing Events” Facebook Group.
