Simon Grain

One with the lot … thanks

Pictures next week we hope so do come back !

This year’s NSW States offered something for everyone, or in reality everything for everyone. From almost no wind in race 4 on Sunday morning to around 60knots in Saturday arvo’s thunderstorm, along with lightning, thunder and rain … a good decision by the race committee to close the show down after race 3.

Saturday always looked like being windy, jib weather from way back – although there were a couple of genoas being stretched on the course, the comment was that they weren’t really any advantage though. Looks like there were a couple of people taking a swim too, Sean lost Big Tim and one of the girls over the side when the lifeline let go. The default question was why the other two weren’t hiking hard enough to go in with them …. mmm questions being asked !  I heard Jeanette also had a swimmer but don’t have the details. Tricky sailing with really shifty westerlies and a start line deep in Rose bay to a top mark to the north of Shark Is. Race two and a course change saw us and a couple of others head out to the left only to find that the top mark hadn’t moved more than a boat length, so we had a reach in around the island back to the top mark …. so much for thinking I had picked a winner there !

We were having our own little problems on Code, the boat hadn’t been raced for a couple of years and we had a few boat issues, new crew (Trimmer Pete is used to steering a bigger boat and our training prior was in everything under 5knots and how to use a motor to get back home) and of course the weather and the bloke on the helm – no wonder we won the handicap prize. But seriously we improved with every race untill the last two and I have to thank my crew for the huge effort in getting up from Melbourne and racing the boat, as usual we had fun and when you aren’t winning, that is what sailing is all about.

Race 2 gave us all a chance to go downwind in a big breeze (for a change) and many boats took the no kite option … Terry, next time I am risking the national debt with the kite and you are coasting along without one at the same speed next to me, could you just please move away so it isn’t so obvious ! Jeanette Syme sailing Brett Hudson’s Wildfire (with Brett in the crew said, “it was a bit hair raising on Saturday, especially squalls on the downwind, I was surprised to see my battered and bruised team turn up on Sunday – but their moral usually lifts after a good flogging! And poor Elena slipped in after a big westerley lift dropped into a knock and we fell over to windward with 6 and came up with 5. She was such a trooper smiling all the way!”

But of course the front of the fleet is sailing away from us at light speed and as usual the bloody Black Prince is up there and will ask ‘where was I’ later, but this time he’s not getting it all his own way. Steve Girdis has gone cycling on pain of death from someone and Robbie Brewer is out of retirement and driving Convicts and driving well, with two to one on Dave in Kaotic, he is the day winner. In fact we are all winners when most of us get home before the next storm cell hits. So glad we are not racing in that. Not without some drama at the club and round the corner for the boats going back to the CYC though. It’s as black as … and then white, as the 60knot front of the thunderstorm lifts the top 2 feet of water into the air around the boats in pleasant little Felix Bay. Some of us got ashore  … and some didn’t. Vortex went ashore too, well done Sean in the crew tender turned rescue boat dragging Vortex off in the height of the storm. Sean, yes that’s the Commodore, organiser, tender driver, boat rescuer, crew rescuer and the guy that also comes 3rd  – makes me feel very humble !

Check this out  http://youtu.be/eLcBjieN-H0

This year we have 4 boats from Cronulla, the fast developing fleet down in the ‘Shire’. One might say a mixed bag of boats and sailors like anywhere, but a great group of guys and girls that love a good time and some hard racing. It’s been a process to get them to the harbour but 3 have sailed up and Dave Mackay has trailed. Dave is the guy that won the big one in the Moths some … well quite some years ago. Known affectionately as “Magoo” and with a sense of humour that instantly puts you at ease and laughing, he is no slug on the race course and comes home 4th overall in Stockcar. Welcome to our world Dave, hope you come and play more often. And that goes for all our new friends at Cronulla, Barry Ryan in Pinot, Clinton Hood in CJ Constructions and Mick Reynolds in Slippery Fish who has worked so hard to get the Cronulla Js into class racing with us. Lets get more of you to come and play.

Sunday has dawned sunny and with a dropping westerly breeze, very shifty and getting very light, the Black Prince sailing Arthur Crother’s Kaotic with a mixed crew out of Melbourne bangs in another win to make the tally 2 all with Convicts. We drift around for a little while as the wind tries to make up it’s mind. Finally the wind changes to a south east breeze, settling down and offering great top end genoa racing for the last two …. or was that the last 5 races.

Three practice starts in the last race had the RO threatening the black flag and that was enough to finally get a clean start away. Convicts they might be, but they nailed the last two and it was a done deal. Robbie Brewer and team on Convicts Revenge taking it out from Dave Suda on Kaotic and the Commodore on Sailpac coming in 3rd.

The team on Code Violation won the Zimmer Frame with Barry Ryan in Pinot and Geoff Cowen in Nokomis 2nd and 3rd.

Congratulations to Kate Holmes for being awarded the Women on Water Trophy for many years of attendance and effort with Jeanette on various boats. No Thommo Cup this year as Ron didn’t show, so I guess Jeanette keeps it by default.

Thanks to the team at RPEYC, the NSW Association, the help at the crane at RANSA and the effort from the Cronulla guys to get there, all the Sydney guys and girls that turn up and race and thanks to all the volunteers and friendly smiling faces that made the regatta an event we look forward to.

If you want to add your own comments or pics about the regatta send them to me and I will put them online. Cheers Simon

"Try something different”………..

Just for the hell of it, I took my J to another yacht club and picked up a crew of locals from the Bar!
That’s right, there was no sailing for the J class that weekend, so with perfect weather forecast (I have to be very careful to pick my weather at the moment due to my recovery process) I entered Bruschetta VI in the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron saturday handicap club race. Motoring from Sandringham Yacht Club up the bay I arrived at the glorious new marina of RMYS. I had entered the night before, the RMYS office staff had found Gretchen to sail with me, I also had Cherry who had sailed with me in New York and after carefully looking at the weather, which was an easily manageable northerly with flat water, I asked at the bar if anyone else wanted a sail. Scott put his hand up, despite never being on a J or ever doing the bow, Scott seemed perfect.
Bruschetta VI was the smallest boat in the fleet which ranged up to a TP52, I must admit that the TP52 did lap us, however the laid windward leeward course was perfect J sailing, matched with 20 degree shifts all over the course, we matched it with the fleet, far from last over the line we retired to the bar. We were stunned to hear that we had won the day by a staggering 5 minutes to 2nd place. This effort has gone down really well at RMYS and we received praise from the office bearers and competitors alike.
J24’s are perfect for some of these clubs, cost effective and super competitive, I can’t stress enough how impressed the club members were with the 30+ year old J design, it was great fun to race against a new fleet, sail with people I had never met and surprisingly get around the course with near perfect crew work………. I’m going to push for the J’s to make the pilgrimage again this time with more numbers, it will only help grow the class which still has a major place on the club race course. Try it sometime  ……. Hugo.

World Exclusive – J24 mixes it with ACs ! Breaking News

Startling images have been leaked showing Australia’s next America’s Cup challenger practicing against the AC72s at the New York Yacht Club. Veteran yachting reporter Bert Stankler has been covering this explosive story. ‘When I first heard the story break that Australia would be competing for the Auld Mug in a J24 I was straight on the phone to Bob Oatley, he said the oversupply of wine worldwide has hit the bottom line of many wine producers, they needed to change their strategy as their budget for the Cup challenge was trimmed from $100 million to under $20k so J24 became the obvious choice.’

Read on … Breaking News

Letter from America

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AKA  report from Hugo Ottaway at The Dennis Conner International Challenge held at The Manhattan Yacht Club in New York.

Well…..I really enjoyed it!  Though it was super, super tough. When the Norwegian says to the German during his presentation speech (both of whom finished behind us} that the last time he beat him was at the Olympic games, you’re not sailing against bunnies.

In addition, other competitors said how much of an honor it was to sail in the company of the German skipper (must look up who he is).  It was not a Nationals level regatta, it was a worlds standard regatta, so much so that the organisers called a special meeting of skippers to remind them that the concept was as a “friendly regatta, and that the Corinthian rules of sailing are expected to be honored…….  “.

Most yacht clubs sent their best teams, we matched it boat against boat no problem, only issue was loosing half the fleet half way up the second beat with huge wind shifts and massive 2 knot currents.  At times we went from 2nd to 14th in one shift! When it got choppy which happened a lot, we sailed straight through them, as so many of our competitors were not use to Port Phillip Bay type chop.  Admittedly we were out classed when it came to picking the current advantage, we tried but had little idea compared to the top Europeans who know this stuff like the back of their hands.  A perfect example of that was, when in a 100 meters in an off the wind finish, we went from a comfortable 6th to 8th.  We thought it impossible to lose our position but just had the wind evaporate around us, we just sat there with nothing, meters from the line… frustrating to say the least.

The entertainment was first class, with the best rapport amongst the competitors. It was nice to have the winner come up to us and complement us (we came 9th for God’s sake…RMYS Team B) on how well we sailed against them. They came second in the J 22 worlds, were heading off to do a TP52 regatta in Europe with 2 of their crew who employees of North Sails.  Told you it was a serious regatta.  There were even several youth crews sent from their National training body i.e. Argentina and Ireland.

Sadly, the boats weren’t all they could have been. Half the fleet had weed growing around the rudder and hulls.  They must get that fixed if they are going to have another regatta.  And, they really need to as this event has morphed into a first class regatta, with huge prestige, which will only grow, and has caught the organizers, at their own admission, by surprise. It is no longer just a casual dash around the cans.

Unfortunately team A didn’t fare well, however they had a great time, see you when I get back H.

There are some good shots on the regatta facebook site.  Check ‘em out!  https://www.facebook.com/DennisConnerInternationalYachtClubChallenge

Two Melbourne Teams at the Sixth Dennis Conner International Yacht Club Challenge in New York

The results are in and it looks like it was a tough regatta with plenty of strong competition, look below for the results

Mr J24, a.k.a. Hugo Ottoway and friends are currently in the big Apple preparing to sail in the Sixth Dennis Conner International Yacht Club Challenge.

This follows on from the team from Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron sailing in the same regatta last year. Competeing this year are two teams from RMYS again – the crews are : Peter Yoon, Allicia Rae, Kathleen Mackian, Jade McDonell, Craig Nobbs, Cherry Birch, Hugo Ottoway, James Torode and Sean Bly.

Ther are 20 teams from all round the world so it is a real micro world champs set in the famous river area around the Statue of Liberty with the buildings of Manhattan as a backdrop.

Of course we wish them well in their competition, I gather the trick is to sail the river current more so than the wind. Hugo told me before he went that the plan is to copy the locals in the first couple of races and then kick some butt, so we are expecting a decent result from the master, who incidentally fell off a ladder recently and still hasn’t got full use of his right arm back yet. Here are a few points from the NOR to give you the picture.

Purpose of Event:

The purpose of the Dennis Conner International Yacht Club Challenge is to bring together yacht clubs from around the world to promote international goodwill through friendly competition. This is an invitational regatta. Any yacht club can request an entry.

Yachts & Equipment:

This regatta will be raced on identical J/24 sailboats provided by the Manhattan Sailing Club. The club will provide all sails, sheets and other racing equipment. Teams must use the equipment provided. No additional boat equipment may be brought aboard by any teams. Teams will switch boats after each race.
Schedule of Events:

Wednesday, August 13, 2014
1200-1800 – Champagne rides to the Statue of Liberty when your team arrives.    1800 – Welcoming Reception on floating clubhouse in harbor (optional)
Thursday, August 14, 2014
1100 – Practice Sailing   1400 – Practice Race       1800 – Opening Ceremony
Friday, August 15, 2014
1100 – Race 1 followed by Races 2 & 3    1800 – Regatta dinner & party
Saturday, August 16, 2014
1100 – Race 4 followed by Races 5 & 6        1800 – Regatta dinner and party
Sunday, August 17, 2014
1100 – Race 7 followed by Race 8        1800 – Dinner & Awards Ceremony
Racing Area:

Races will be held in New York Harbor. The scenery is spectacular with the skyline of Manhattan on one side and the Statue of Liberty on the other. The start and finish of all races will be from the Manhattan Sailing Club’s floating clubhouse which is permanently anchored north of Ellis Island.
Courses:
Courses will be windward-leeward. Inflatable marks will be set by Race Committee. Because the starting location is fixed, races may start in any direction, including upwind or downwind.
Local Representative:

In addition to your crew, one Local Representative will sail on each boat. The “Local Rep” will provide local knowledge and a VHF radio to communicate with the Race Committee. Local Reps will stay with the boat while racing teams rotate.
Spectators:
All races will be run from the harbor clubhouse and spectators are invited to watch. The clubhouse can hold up to 149 people and transportation is provided by club launch.
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So lets see how they go. You can go straight to their website here  http://www.myc.org/MoreInfo/Annual/DennisConner
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Our own Hugo Ottoway has come 9th and we are looking forward to a news exclusive just as soon as Hugo cane email it through. Results

Dennis Conner Challenge Results
Dennis Conner Challenge Results
Maybe next year you want to enter a team – I am told that it is a great time over there.
Also in the same style of overseas regattas is the Pacific Keelboat Challenge in Auckland NZ. Go here to read about that.   Pacific Keelboat Challenge
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2015 National Championships in Adelaide

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CYCSA's sheltered maring witht he clubhouse in the background
CYCSA’s sheltered marina with the clubhouse in the background

The 2015 J24 National Championships will be held on 8 – 11 January at the CYCSA in Adelaide.

December 15th Update – SAILING INSTRUCTIONS NOW AVAILABLE  – DOWNLOAD BELOW

Only one local hull is now available, so if you want in at the last minute this is the time to grab this boat. Entries need to be put in by TOMORROW at the latest – today is better. Interest is shaping up to be around the 20 boat mark so this is going to be a great regatta

For those wanting to get some racing in early, there will be a Twilight Race on Wednesday evening, a W/L course starting around 1800 with the number of laps to suit the breeze and reds back at the bar to follow – Jim is keen to get everyone in the mood for the main game. So if you are keen to sail the twilight, please give Jim an email on   jim@micrometonline.com    just so he has an idea of the number of entries beforehand.

Ladies – ‘bring a plate’ – No !   Don’t worry girls you don’t have to bring anything but yourself and your smile, but you could win a cup. Jim tells me they are giving a trophy for the first female skipper and you are going to be surprised at the name this trophy is going to have. Can’t let you know that here, but it is another reason for the ladies to race hard.   Jeanette – that means you could possibly take away at least two trophies this year !  No Ron – no dressing up, it won’t apply to you and your boatload of girls !

December 8th Update – Early bird entries close on the 17th December and race office will be closed from that date due to Xmas break until the 7th of January so it is important that entries are received this week. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: THE CYCSA DOESN’T HAVE ONLINE ENTRIES. SO YOU NEED TO FILL OUT THE FORM ON THE BACK OF THE NOR AND FAX OR SCAN AND EMAIL BACK TO THE RACING MANAGER (JESS HARGREAVES)

HER EMAIL ADDRESS IS  Racing.Manager@cycsa.com.au  IT IS ALSO ON THE BOTTOM OF THE ENTRY FORM

IF YOU WANT TO EFT YOUR ENTRY FEE TO THE CYCSA: HERE ARE THE DETAILS

Bank details:
BSB 035-000
a/c 290626
name Cruising Yacht Club of SA

Please put ‘J24 Nationals’ as your description and add your name when making payment this way

Jim Townsend the SA President says there are still two local hulls available for crews wanting to use them. One was previously taken but the visiting crew are now bringing their own boat I gather. So you can still get to the Nationals on the cheap and have a ball, but you need to get in quick !

He also tells me that there is going to be great social atmosphere, plenty of SA wine and good food and a relaxed approach to the champs to make sure everyone has heaps of fun.

Don’t let that fool you though, mystery surrounds the Sydney fleet entrants, the Thommo Cup is on this year, so that’s one – Jeanette and her girls, Convicts and Kaotic are probable ‘no goes’ so the title is up for grabs, the Black Prince will be there and he wants it back – bad, the Shorts and O’Rourkes from ‘The Shire’ want to take it north, as does former World Moth champ Dave McKay, of course there are another half dozen wannabees from Vic with the same idea, Dougie Watson and the locals want to keep it there so it will be hot on the water!

Want to play ? Get in touch with Jim and get one of those boats asap

Mid November Update – Interest in attending the Nationals is growing by the week with several Cronulla teams booking boats to use and several Sydney Harbour crews also planning to go. There will be approx 9 local SA crews sailing and up to 8 Victorian crews planning to go. Thats a fleet of nearly 20 boats enjoying the great sailing water off the CYCSA. The supply of local boats available to be charterd is now nearly exhausted so you need to make a move quickly if you want one.

The club has a very good set up with lots of hard stand area, trailer parking and gear storage. It has crane and ramp launching for Js and plenty of wet sail mooring area right in front of the club. Walk 20 metres from your boat and you are at either the outdoor BBQ and catering area, wet bar and the club restarant and bar, it is a great set up with your boat in a sheltered marina and a cold drink in your hand after sailing. The club is very friendly and will look after your needs very happily – as will the class association.

If you haven’t been there before – give Jim Townsend a call for directions, organisational help and anything else you need on the way to the start line. He is a great guy and is driving the regrowth of the SA Fleet and this regatta in particular. Jim is also happy to help people with trailer usae to get to Adelaide as well.

There will be some hulls available for those wanting to fly in with sails and there maybe some assistance with trailers as well, but get in early for those – now wouldn’t be too soon.

The format will be a 4 day regatta starting on the Thursday and running through to Sunday, this minimises the time off work for fly-in crew to 2 days.

Jim Townsend, the current SA President is planning a great regatta with an opening function, prize giving function on the Sunday night and informal evenings on the Friday and Saturday.

If you haven’t sailed there before, Adelaide is great sailing with seabreezes to around 20knots and warm sunny weather the norm.

To keep measurement time to a minimum, boats should have a current measurement cert, insurance cert and inventory cert organised prior and sent in with your entry. As usual check measurements may be made at any time during the regatta period. So prepare your boat before hand and make sure you have it all sorted.

NEW INFORMATION FROM JIM TOWNSEND – NOW ONLINE ON THE REGATTA PAGE updated as of 24/7/14

Click here to go to the regatta page for more information  Regatta Page

Download your NOR J24+2015+Nationals+NoR+-+Revision+1  Make sure you check back here or go to http://www.cycsa.com.au/racingdocuments.html to check for any updates

SAILING INSTRUCTIONS – J24 2015 Australian National Championships Sailing Instructions – Revision 1

Ports North FNQ J24 Championships

Cairns Yacht Club is hosting the 2014 FNQ J24 Championship, to be held on 4-6 October this year. We don’t know alot about it yet and are waiting for more details but I guess you can imagine racing in the warn northern waters, fair winds, palm trees, bikinis and board shorts, pinacoladas etc.  Doesn’t sound all bad does it !

They have some boats available for charter (it’s a long way to take your own !)

Interested – then you need to get in contact with Brian Dowling the Cairns YC Commodore on 07 4031 2750 or email   dowling1952@gmail.com  by the 1st August.

Check out more information on the entry form here.  EOI FNQ J24 Champs 2014 – final approved 9th of June 2014

Cronulla Sailing Club J24 Short Course Regatta

Cronulla sailing

The Short and the short and the short of it

Mat Short, the rising star in the fast growing fleet of J24s at Cronulla, proved the old maxim – if you want to finish first, first you have to finish – and although he blitzed the racing on Saturday, not sailing on Sunday put an end to his (deserved) potential championship winning result. Instead a short and happy Dave McKay with a huge reputation for success and giving back to the sport, took the honours in a switch around (after a error in the race points was realised) from the prizegiving honours where one of our newest female  skippers, Lia Darby was deservedly awarded first place (for a short time). Lia now scores an equally well deserved second place after a huge effort in delivering, preparing and racing hard in the demanding conditions (and then sailing it back to Sydney). Well done Lia !

Held over the weekend of the 6-9 June, the Cronulla Sailing Club in Sydney, ran a very successful J24 short course regatta. Racing was focused on a windward leeward style event with legs at no more than 750 meters to ensure close racing between all. Mick Reynolds, the J24 captain at Cronulla with the great help of Fiona Campbell off COOEE TOO, led a keen group of volunteers in bringing this regatta to a successful conclusion. (Much of this story is also written by Mick and edited by Simon). This event is planned as an annual event and planning is already underway for next year over the Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend 2015.

The Friday saw horizontal rain and weather that we all love in Sydney for this time of year. Boats had already began to gather with STARPAC being delivered the Sunday prior and RIFF RAFF being sailed from AUSSEA Sailing School on Botany Bay on the Thursday. SAILPAC arrived by trailer.

The most spectacular arrival would have to have been Steve O’Rouke who towed his J24, ENDLESS SUMMER from Botany Bay on the Saturday morning in 2 to 3metre Seas ! I didn’t know a J could to 15kts, but anything’s possible behind a super powered twin engine rib!!!

It was interesting to see amongst the crews that when it comes to class racing how many past and present sailing identities, seem to be drawn to an event such as this. The racing therefore was first class!

Racing commenced at 1200 on the Saturday with a planned 4 races. Race starter Dave McLachlan along with Dennis McClaren, started the fleet of 14 boats in a good solid 15 to 20knt SSW Breeze and a nice sunny day. Racing in the Port Hacking Estuary to a windward mark set off the beautiful shores of the Royal National Park.

Great sailing by young skipper Mat Short and the crew on SHORT FACED, including Mat’s mum, saw them take 4 of the five races conducted to see SHORT FACED in the lead on completion of day one.

Unfortunately due to prior sailing commitments with his sail maker father Ian, Mathew Short was unable to race on the second day.

On Sunday the 3 scheduled races got underway in a solid 20 to 25 knt SSW gusting to 30knt. STARPAC won the first race of the second day in strengthening conditions that with the short 500m leg meant a number of boats elected to run without kites to avoid wipeouts as performed by numerous others. The tough starting conditions also saw local boats, MCKAY MARINE, PINOT, SLIPPERY FISH and CJ CONSTRUCTIONS score OCS, leaving the gate open for The Girls on COOEE TOO to come storming through in 4th – their best race finish – go girls !

SAILPAC won the final two races of the regatta and a very well deserved 3rd place overall for Tim Briggs, the current NSW treasurer and all-round nice guy. Says Tim, “it’s the first time I have helmed the J in a major regatta and I was scared as hell on the Saturday and even more on the Sunday.” Well done Tim. Racing over for the day and the real race, back to the clubhouse and bar began. The Cronulla clubhouse is a great venue, situated right on the water, (with watering deck) and a crane and a small amount of hard stand. Right at the top of Gunnamatta Bay, the view and atmosphere is superb.

Dave McKay, once again proved he’s not just a short man with a pretty face (Dave got hit by the boom and although covered with blood, with his broad grin, quipped that he had ‘finally got into the girls loo’ as Lia and Michelle off STARPAC did the nurse thing for him) and after sailing a very good regatta took out the championship once the drop was finally enacted.

The final result is amended and is as follows:

Place Hull Number Boat Helm Score
1 AUS-1317 McKay Marine D McKay 16
2 AUS-5247 Starpac L Darby 21
3 AUS-5085 Sailpac T Briggs 22
4 AUS-1309 Only A Journey M Sellers 34
5 AUS-1645 Short Faced M Short 41
6 AUS-4439 Wave Cutter II G Thorburn 44
7 AUS-1646 Slippery Fish B Edwards 48.5
8 AUS-1635 CJ Constructions C Hood 52
9 AUS-4791 Endless Summer S O’rouke 56
10 AUS-4430 Pinot B Ryan 60
11 AUS-2633 Cooee Too C Brighton 61
12 AUS-930 Riff Raff M Van Dinther 75
13 AUS-1643 Flick Pass M Kirby 84
14 AUS-1113 Onyx II A Ulanov 105

Mat Short, who I think needs to be encouraged to compete on the National circuit is excited about the prospects of the class and his own boat at Cronulla, “It was really good to see so many boats get out there and such close racing out on the water. Credit should go to Dave McLachlan and his team on the start boat setting a good course conducive to competitive racing in the conditions and for their hard work (as always). I would also like to thank the sponsors for getting onboard with the regatta and hopefully it will continue to grow over the coming years.”  (Sail with us Mat – Dave S needs a push along !)

From Mick, “The Race Committee would like to thank all competitors for making the weekend such a success, supporting an event based on participation and racing J24s. Also the sportsmanship shown when penalties and boats may have touched, with penalty turns enacted as to  no protests being lodged. The Cronulla Sailing Club is committed to relighting the passion in the owners and crews, to engage and support the upcoming J24 NSW Association Racing Program.”

From Simon.”To those that didn’t know about it – look at the website more often. To those who didn’t come – that’s one you don’t want to miss next year. To Hugo, planned and prepared and ready to come, but took a fall off a ladder at work the week before and is still in hospital. From the fleet at Cronulla and at large, Get well soon Hugo, we missed you.

Thanks also to Phil Rogers for his great photography – you can see a heap of photos here – pics

Did you do the regatta and want to add a story – email it to Mick and we’ll put it online.

Well run Cronulla, let’s do it again next year !

Cronulla Sailing Club Short Course Regatta – Queens Birthday Weekend

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Mick Reynolds from Slippery Fish has been doing a great job driving the organisation for a unique Queens Birthday Weekend Regatta at Cronulla. Designed to be a short course regatta, it will feature up to 8 races over the long weekend, in either the wide blue ocean in Bate Bay, or perhaps in more sheltered Bundeena Bay if the weather is inclement.

Entry is just 80 bucks so there is no excuse for not getting your boat to Cronulla for this great regatta. Sail your boat down from Sydney, trail from anywhere, there is a crane to put you in and there is a full social program to keep the conversation going. Mick and the Cronulla YC have done a great job organising this so come along, support the regatta and have a great time.

Here’s the great thing about this weekend – its a J regatta, but there will be no measuring or weighing, in fact if you have a read of the NOR and you will see that this is all deliberately waived – you have to be a J24 but no one is going to check the details – this is a regatta with the emphasis on FUN RACING and FUN ASHORE

We are promoting sailing at the Cronulla and promoting sailing J24s.

Here’s the J24 Short Course Regatta NOR2014 Final

Here’s the Cat 7 Plus