World champions, National champions, State champions,
Melbourne pretenders….
Come test your mettle at Cronulla!!
Fri 18th Nov 22: entries close.
Fri 25th Nov 22: 1000 late entries close. Fri 25th Nov 22: 1600 CSC crane launching facility closes.
Fri 25th Nov 22: 1200 to 1900 weigh in, registration (log all documents).
Sat 26th Nov 22: 0830 to 0930: weigh in.
Sat 26th Nov 22: 0930 briefing.
Sat 26th Nov 22: 1155 first race signal.
The J24 NSW Championships have just been completed at Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Pittwater on 31 Oct & 1 Nov. Ten entries were received, but Calypso suffered a trailer-related incident and did not compete (it’s a long story but a good one….ask Paul about it when you’ve got a few minutes to spare)
Those regular boats who chose not to compete missed out on a great event, notwithstanding the weather which threw everything at us from warm and sunny to thunder and lightning and at times LOTS of rain! The venue and facilities are excellent, lots of hardstand space, cranes, a very professional race crew and helpful, welcoming staff. COVID Rules were obviously in place and restricted social activities a little but it all ran very well.
The RO Stephen Merrington managed to get all 6 heats run on a difficult stormy weekend when a lot of other club racing around Sydney was cancelled.
Saturday started with a North Easterly at around 10 kt, but later shifted southerly. Two races had to be abandoned half way through which was unfortunate (especially for Tinto, leading both times) but that’s sailing!
Steve Quigley on Convicts Revenge won Race 1, followed by Tinto and El Fideldo, and Race 2 was won by Ace (Dave West) from Innamincka and Stamped Urgent. Another race was started but then the storm closed in and competitors were sent home in the pouring rain.
With the forecast early Southerly change expected to get up to 30kt, hopes were not high for much sailing on Sunday but we were fortunate to get all 4 races run, in a wind moving from SW to South and increasing from 8-10 kt to well over 20.
Tinto won Race 3 after a poor first leg, coming from 4th at the last mark to the final margin of 24 seconds from Convicts Revenge and Ace. Race 4 went to John Crawford in Innamincka from Convicts Revenge and Ace.
With the strengthening wind we were all on Jibs for Race 5. This race had the closest finish of the series with the first 5 finishing in 6 seconds, Ace taking first from Innamincka and Tinto.
The final race was getting tough with the strong and gusty Southerly really testing everyone. Convicts Revenge got the better of Ace in a tight tactical battle up the second work to win, and Tinto taking third.
Racing overall was very tight and competitive, with most finishing within 2 or 3 minutes each race. However here were no protests and no (bad) collisions, so a good weekend all round. Convicts won the series on countback from Ace on 10 points, with Tinto 3rd on 14. Welcome (back) to the J fleet Steve and the crew, we are looking forward to more good close racing with you at Cronulla and elsewhere.
PHS results gave the win to Okavango Delta 1st, Waterborne Again 2nd and El Fideldo 3rd. Congratulations and well sailed to all of you.
A Resilience prize was awarded to Sailmates. Competing in their first State Champs, they finished every race and flew a kite on every run. Well done!
Finally, special “Thanks” to Bryce at Infinity Rigging, and Shane at Doyle Sails who donated prizes for the event. Please support these locally owned businesses where you can.
The J24 Class NSW Championship 2020 is being planned for the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club on Pittwater, over the 31Oct-01Nov weekend. NOR released!!!
Please note, all organisation for this event is based on the expectation of a relaxation to the current COVID-19 rules, restricting competitors from different regions being together. Expected announcement date 07Oct.
We are asking entries to start rolling in for planning purposes. Entries are open through the RPAYC Regatta page. Payment option will commence 07Oct.
With the current health situation and the necessary restrictions on travel and gathering, we have obviously had to cancel the June Winter Regatta.
If everyone follows the advice on ‘social distancing’ and personal hygiene, we would hopefully see some progress in controlling the situation by then, but restrictions and a high level of caution will need to be in place for some months to come.
Let’s look forward to the NSW State Championships and hope we will all be able to get together again in November.
So the June Queens Birthday long weekend in Australia welcomes the first weekend of snow skiing in the Australian Alps, however it is now firmly entrenched in the minds of all J24 sailors, this is the weekend you make a journey to the waters of Southern Sydney and race your J!
This year, crews from Sandringham, Cronulla, Middle Harbour, Double Bay and Taree Sailing Clubs came to race on the waters of Bate Bay for the Winter Championships organised by the Southern Sydney J24 Fleet.
First Race and WILDFIRE, Ron Thomson, the Mexican from Sandringham took the challenge to the New South Welshmen! Second was TINTO, Stephen Wright, 2018 World J24 contender and ACE David West from Middle Harbour. Conditions were cold with a light Westerly wind.
Second Race and WOOD DUCK from Cronulla, owned by Peter Edwards though skippered by son Bryce, one of the up and coming stars of the 18 Footer League. Second was WILDFIRE, you’ll see a pattern here soon! With third going to TINTO.
Third Race and INNAMINCKA skippered by J24 stalwart John Crawford current NSW J24 President and Class Measurer, a man of many hats. With WILDFIRE in second and WOOD DUCK in third.
The final race for day one was punched out in an even lightening breeze and WOOD Duck again came up trumps. Showing his local knowledge David Mckay (That’s Mr Magoo to you!) ex Moth World Champion 1969-70 and still celebrating, took second in STAMPED URGENT and WILDFIRE again up in the results took third.
All boats retired to the club for necessary refreshments and the now famous J24 BBQ!!! Tales of woe and bets where made for the following day.
Day 2 and the sun shone! Race Five and Mr Magoo on STAMPED URGENT rose to the top, WILDFIRE in second and TINTO in third.
Race Six and INNAMINCKA again returned to first, STAMPED URGENT in second, and again WILDFIRE returned to the top three!
Race 7 gave the starter the option for a three lapper, and the World Champion in the Fleet on STAMPED URGENT rose to the top, NOKONIS and Craig Steer after buying this boat on Friday, sailing down on the Saturday morning, second in his first J24 event, next event is the NSW States look out! And third saw ACE show some form, so where was WILDFIRE?
Final race and the starter opted back for the 2 lap format, WOOD DUCK took first, and in equal second was ACE and WILDFIRE.
So who won? Consistence is the key to success and this was demonstrated by WILDFIRE and J24 National Class President Ron Thomson, with a forth as the drop over an 8 race series. Ron was using this regatta as a preparation event prior to traveling to Miami for the 2019 J24 Worlds. Go you Aussie!!!!
On Performance, Craig Sheer with his new boat NOKONIS was first, a fantastic result on borrowed sails in a boat purchased the day before. With the NSW States in November, I wonder what some new sails and a little practice will achieve?
The J24 Southern Sydney Fleet would like to thank our sponsors for the event, the MySail Team, AUSSEA Sailing School, AFLOAT Magazine, Wet Tech Rigging, The RMYC Port Hacking Infinity Rigging and DOYLE Sails. Thanks again
Lastly we would like to thank the volunteers from the Cronulla Sailing Club Bruce Swane the starter, Rob Croucher BBQ Chief extraordinaire, Dave Witten Start Boat Scribe, Glenn Smith, Billy Neill, Bob Sagar on support boats, Michael Druce on results and lastly Brian and Kerry Elliot, who have supported this event at the club since we revived it in 2004.
Thanks again see you at the NSW States
All photos are available on the J24SSF Facebook page.